Managed Network Infrastructure
A Network Someone Is Looking After
We monitor, update and manage the switches, routers and other equipment that connect your office, keep it documented and make changes through a controlled process.
What is Managed Network Infrastructure?
Your network is the equipment that connects everything in the office: switches that link computers, printers, phones and Wi-Fi access points; routers that connect you to the internet and to other sites; and the cabling in between. Most of the time nobody thinks about it, until it stops working.
Managed Network Infrastructure is ongoing care for that equipment. We monitor it and alert on problems, apply firmware updates (the built-in software network devices run on), back up each device's configuration, keep the network documented and handle changes through a controlled process.
Firewalls are looked after through Managed Firewalls and Wi-Fi through Business Wi-Fi Management. Redesigning your network into separate segments is a project covered by Secure Your Network.
Key benefits
- Network devices monitored, with problems flagged early
- Firmware kept up to date to close known security weaknesses
- Configurations backed up, so a replacement device can be set up from a known copy
- Current documentation of how your network fits together
- Changes planned, approved and recorded
How does it work?
We bring your network equipment under management, then look after it month by month. Every change follows the same controlled process, so there is always a record of what changed and why.
Discover and document
We identify your switches, routers and other network devices, check their manufacturer support status and record how they're connected and configured.
Back up and secure
We back up each device's configuration, update firmware where needed, secure administrative access and add the devices to monitoring.
Monitor and maintain
Alerts, such as a device going offline or a connection reporting errors, are reviewed by our team in line with your agreed service level. Firmware updates are applied in planned windows.
Change under control
Requested changes, such as connecting a new printer or phone, are planned, approved, made and recorded, and the configuration backup is refreshed afterwards.
- RequestYou or our monitoring identify a change that's needed
- Plan and approveImpact checked and timing agreed with you
- Make the changeCarried out in an agreed window
- Record and back upDocumentation and configuration backup updated
Technical scope
- Monitoring of supported switches, routers and other network devices
- Alerts for devices going offline, connection errors and similar faults
- Firmware updates for supported devices, applied in planned windows
- Configuration backups, taken regularly and after each change
- Network documentation: devices, connections and key settings
- Administrative access to network devices secured, with default passwords changed
- A controlled change process for additions, moves and changes
- Advice when equipment approaches the end of manufacturer support
Where it helps
A switch fails
A replacement can be configured from the saved backup rather than rebuilt from memory, which shortens the time to get people working again.
A new printer or desk phone
Connecting new equipment to the right part of the network is handled as a routine, recorded change.
A manufacturer security update
When a manufacturer releases a firmware fix for a known weakness, we plan and apply it rather than leaving it until something goes wrong.
An office reshuffle
Moving teams or desks often means network changes. Up-to-date documentation makes them quicker to plan.
Problems solved
Nobody knows how the network is set up
Without documentation, every change or fault starts with investigation. We document your network and keep the record current.
Out-of-date firmware
Network devices rarely get updated once installed, leaving known weaknesses in place. Managed firmware updates address that.
Users notice problems first
Without monitoring, a failing device is found when people complain. Monitoring flags many problems before they spread.
Undocumented changes
Quick fixes made without a record cause confusion later. A controlled change process keeps every change traceable.
Default passwords on network devices
Equipment left with factory settings is an easy target. Securing administrative access is part of bringing it under management.
What's included
Included as standard
- Device monitoring and alerting
- Firmware updates for supported devices
- Configuration backups and documentation
- Controlled changes
- Advice when equipment approaches the end of manufacturer support
Optional or scoped
Available on request and confirmed in your proposal; not part of the standard service.
- Network segmentation design and implementation through Secure Your Network
- Business Wi-Fi Management for your access points
- Replacement or additional equipment through IT Equipment Procurement & Deployment
- Network installation, cabling or upgrade projects
- A Network Vulnerability Assessment of your network devices
What's not included
- Network hardware, replacement parts and manufacturer support contracts, unless agreed in your proposal
- Firewalls, which are managed under Managed Firewalls
- Cabling and physical installation work, which is scoped as a project
- Internet lines and faults with your internet provider's equipment, which remain with that provider unless you use our connectivity service
- Unmanaged switches, which can't be monitored or configured in the same way
Unmanaged switches and many routers supplied by internet providers don't allow monitoring, firmware management or configuration backups. We identify these during onboarding and explain your options.
Firmware updates are only available while the manufacturer still supports the device. Equipment beyond that point should be planned for replacement.
Who it's suitable for
- Offices with several network switches and connected devices
- Businesses with more than one site to connect
- Organisations whose network was installed years ago and not documented since
- Businesses preparing for Cyber Essentials, where network devices are in scope
- In-house IT teams who want network upkeep handled for them
Pricing
This service is tailored to your business, so we confirm the price after a short conversation about your requirements. There is no charge for the conversation.
Use the quote builder to add Managed Network Infrastructure to an indicative quote, or book a free security review and we'll recommend what fits.
Price
On Application
Tailored price based on your sites and network equipment.
What affects the price
- Number of sites
- Number of switches, routers and other network devices
- Whether your equipment is managed (configurable) or unmanaged
- Age and manufacturer support status of the equipment
- How well your network is documented today
All prices exclude VAT.
Add to Your QuoteFrequently asked questions
What counts as network infrastructure?
Switches, routers and similar equipment that connect your devices and sites. Firewalls and Wi-Fi access points are covered by their own services, so each is priced on what you actually have.
Do we need new network equipment?
Not necessarily. We work with your existing equipment where it can be managed and is still supported. If some of it is unmanaged or out of support, we explain the risk and the options.
What does 'controlled changes' mean?
Each change is requested, planned, approved by you where it affects the business, carried out and recorded, and the configuration backup is refreshed. You always have a record of what changed and when.
How is this service priced?
It's tailored to your sites and network equipment. Tell us how many sites and roughly how many switches you have in Build Your Quote, and we'll confirm a price after reviewing your setup.
Is this the same as Secure Your Network?
No. Secure Your Network is a one-off project that separates your network into segments with firewall rules between them. Managed Network Infrastructure is the ongoing care of your network, before or after that kind of project.
Let's Secure Your Business
Find out how Pulsar IT can help protect, manage and improve your IT environment.