Network management is a crucial aspect of maintaining a stable and secure IT infrastructure. It involves monitoring, configuring, and troubleshooting network devices, services, and connections. In a Windows environment, network management can be achieved through various tools and technologies provided by Microsoft.

Windows provides several built-in tools that aid in network management. These tools can be accessed through the command prompt or PowerShell, making it convenient for system administrators to manage networks. Some of the key aspects of network management in a Windows environment include:

1. Network Configuration: Windows offers several utilities to configure network settings, such as IP addresses, DNS servers, and network interfaces. The "ipconfig" command is commonly used to view and modify IP configurations. For example, to release and renew IP addresses, the following commands can be used:

   ipconfig /release

   ipconfig /renew

2. Network Monitoring: Windows provides tools to monitor network traffic, diagnose connection issues, and track network performance. The "netstat" command is useful for displaying active network connections and listening ports. For instance, the following command shows all active connections:

   netstat -a

3. Remote Network Management: Windows allows remote management of network devices and services through protocols like PowerShell Remoting and Remote Desktop. With PowerShell Remoting, administrators can remotely execute commands on multiple machines simultaneously, making it efficient for network management tasks.

   Enter-PSSession -ComputerName <ComputerName>

4. Network Security: Windows offers various security features to protect networks, such as Windows Firewall and Network Access Protection (NAP). Windows Firewall allows administrators to define inbound and outbound rules to control network traffic. NAP ensures that only compliant devices can connect to the network, enhancing security.

   Set-NetFirewallProfile -Name <ProfileName> -Enabled True

In a Windows environment, network management is a critical aspect that can be effectively achieved using the built-in tools and technologies provided by Microsoft. These tools allow administrators to configure, monitor, and secure networks, ensuring a stable and secure IT infrastructure.