|  | 8.10 | Implementing Installation of the Network
| 8.10.1 | Administrative and test accounts, passwords, IP addresses, IP configurations, and relevant SOPs
Before installing a network, a network administrator must consider the following: the configurations of the network, physical location, topologies, physical structure of the network, administrative duties (including administrative and test accounts), passwords, IP addressing, IP configuration, connectivity requirements, and software. Administrative accounts allow the administrator to have unrestricted access to all the information and security on the network. These accounts should only be created for individuals whose job requires the need for unrestricted access, and they should be restricted to exercise these privileges only for administrative duties. Because the role of the administrator is to protect all the data on the network, this account should be sensitive and have a strong password, which must be difficult to break. Once an administrator uses his or her administrative account to make changes on the network, a test account should be used to test and verify the changes. Test accounts are similar to that of a normal user account, resembling other user accounts and privileges. Both administrative and test accounts need to have passwords. Passwords are a form of computer security, which enables privileged users to access network information. A strong password, which should be used for administrative accounts, is a password that is difficult to "crack" by hackers. Some hackers use what is called the "brute force" attack, which uses dictionary files against a user's account. It is important to use a password that is an uncommon word not found in any dictionary, consists of at least eight characters in length, and a combination of numbers and letters. Administrators must also consider IP configurations and standard operating procedures (SOPs) when building their networks. IPCONFIG is a Windows utility used to determine TCP/IP settings. This utility verifies IP addresses, default gateways, subnet masks, DNS, and other IP related settings. IP configurations are normally determined by the desktop used. Although most networks have different names, they use similar standard operating procedures, which is a baseline of the resources in day to day operation. SOPs may include backing up data on the network at the end of each day or each evening, having backup information in the case where a network could go down, or monitoring performance. To monitor performance, a tool called the "sniffer" may be used to monitor the amount of network traffic on the network. A "sniffer" is also used to analyze network traffic and provide solutions to problems effecting the infrastructure of the network.