When monitoring network performance, what key indicator is essential to establish adjustments?

Establishing a network performance baseline is crucial because it provides a reference point against which current performance can be measured. This baseline is built by collecting data on various performance metrics, such as throughput, latency, and error rates, during normal operating conditions. By having this established baseline, network administrators can identify deviations from expected performance, diagnose issues, and determine whether adjustments are necessary to optimize network functionality.

Monitoring current bandwidth usage is important but is often only part of the overall assessment. It provides insights into how much of the available bandwidth is being utilized at any given time. However, without a baseline, it is difficult to discern whether current usage is typical or problematic.

The type of network topology influences network design and layout but does not directly provide insights into performance metrics or necessary adjustments. Understanding topology is essential for network design and implementation, but it is not a key performance indicator.

The number of active users can provide some context about network demand and performance pressure. However, this data alone does not inform whether the network is performing effectively. Without a baseline, it's challenging to understand how the number of users impacts performance or what adjustments might be required.

Thus, the network performance baseline is essential for continual assessment and adjustment of network performance, making it the key indicator