What is the purpose of establishing a network baseline?

Establishing a network baseline serves the purpose of creating a point of reference for evaluations. A network baseline is essentially a snapshot of the normal operating conditions of a network, including performance metrics, traffic patterns, and resource utilization. By having this reference point in place, network administrators can effectively assess the performance and security of the network over time.

When changes occur—whether they are upgrades, configuration modifications, or unexpected issues—having a established baseline allows for a comparison to the previous state. This comparison is crucial when diagnosing problems, as it helps to identify deviations from the norm that could indicate performance degradation, security vulnerabilities, or potential failures.

In summary, a network baseline's ability to provide a reliable reference for future evaluations enables better monitoring and management of network performance and stability.