WAN Configuration and Change Management

As with the LAN and LAN-to-WAN Domains, managing network-configuration settings in the WAN Domain is important. You need to proactively manage the components you do control. You can manage the settings of at least these WAN Domain components:

• WAN access device—This is the device or computer you use to physically connect to your WAN.

• WAN account—Your WAN service provider will provide access for you to configure specific settings to your WAN account. It is important that you create a backup of these settings. Even if your WAN service provider only allows you to manage your account using a webpage, saving screen shots of each configuration page is better than having no record of your settings.

• WAN optimization device—Any hardware or software that optimizes WAN traffic belongs to the WAN Domain and is a prime candidate for configuration management.

The strategies and techniques for managing configuration settings and controlling configuration changes should match your activities in the LAN and LAN-to-WAN Domains. As with other domains, managing the configuration settings of your WAN Domain components is an important part of keeping your overall environment compliant and secure.