Defrag Statistics for a Network

The purpose of computer networks is simply to facilitate communication. Computer networks allow pieces of data to be passed around among similar computing platforms that share a physical link. At the grandest scale, the Internet is a conglomerate of computers around the world that communicate with one another via wired and wireless links.

 

Over the years and through trial-and-error, the standardization of communication protocols has allowed efficient information management and transfer. Data storage and retrieval occurs primarily via physical hard disks. It is important to provide proper hard disk maintenance within your computer network. This will help ensure high efficiency and reliability.

There are many types of computer networks. A certain type is implemented to serve certain needs, such as setting up a college campus area network that is secure and speedy. Information storage can be located locally or somewhere on the network. As the computer network grows, it will need quick, dependable, manageable information storage solutions. Data backups should also be performed frequently.

 

When hard drive files are constantly modified, added, or deleted, the data is amended discontinuously. In a busy computer network environment, numerous large gaps inevitably appear between files. The apparent random scattering of data on your hard disk platters is called fragmentation. This is a main factor of slow, unresponsive server performance. Applications may start to hang, and the computer network may crash more frequently. Defragmentation of your computer network hard drives should be a priority for your network to run optimally.

In a computer, the main performance bottleneck is usually due to slow hard drive access speeds. Severe fragmentation makes it more time-consuming for the hard drive needle to read your files, and increased wear-and-tear occurs. Defragmentation brings files together in continuous segments for faster retrieval. With a clean network computer, defragging can reduce long antivirus scans in half. Data backups are a lot quicker, too. In addition, defragging busy file, database, or Microsoft Exchange servers increases network traffic speeds by freeing up input/output roadblocks. Defragmentation of a computer network should be routine for any system administrator.

To effectively monitor the benefit of defragmentation, detailed reports are necessary. These reports show vital statistics that allow you to pinpoint problems in network communications. General defrag tools do not show detailed reports. Your system administrator can produce a customized, detailed report for analysis. As a tip, for Windows Vista systems, you can run the disk defragmenter tool from the Start menu by clicking on Programs and then Accessories.

 

Usually, performance issues can be narrowed down to storage-related causes. A useful report will show:

Raxco Inc. has recently released a product made specifically for computer networks, called PerfectDisk 10 Server. By using this software, you can maximize productivity for your organization. Improving computer performance is also achieved quite effortlessly. Complete space management reports are totally redesigned in this version, allowing you to quickly analyze the distribution of files and folders on your hard disks. With PerfectDisk 10 Server, you will have complete control over hard disk management.

 

 

Rux, E. (2008). 3 enterprise disk defragmenters. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from the WindowsITPro Web site: http://windowsitpro.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=98577&feed=rss&subj=0.

 

Watching the Net Staff. (n.d.) Get detailed statistics by running Windows Vista Disk Defragmenter from the command prompt. Retrieved March 29, 2009, from the Watching the Net Web site: http://www.watchingthenet.com/get-detailed-statistics-by-running-windows-vista-disk-defragmenter-from-the-command-prompt.html.