In order to help ensure the success of any network design project, the implementation process for the network needs to be carefully planned. The main element of this step involves the creation of documentation that includes detailed instructions to be followed by the engineers that will ultimately handle the implementation process.
The methods used to document […]

After the individual modules of the new or upgraded network are defined, the specific topologies, technologies, protocols, and network services should be designed. Examples of these elements include:
Network topology design. The design of the new network topology needs to consider both the LANs to be implemented in any offices, as well as the WAN links […]

Once the customer requirement have been finalized, all goals and constraints defined, and the state of the current network assessed, it’s time to begin designing the new or upgraded network. Earlier in this chapter the two major approaches to network design were discussed, and you should already be aware that the top-down approach is preferable […]

Once information about the existing network has been gathered using the various methods and tools outlined in the section, it is typically compiled into a document that summarizes the health of the existing network. This document includes information about the status of current network equipment, links, and applications, while also documenting key elements like the […]

A variety of different tools and utilities exist for the purpose of network traffic analysis. While some of these tools were developed by Cisco, others are popular third-party alternatives. Each of the bullet points listed below outlines a particular tool or utility, along with examples of the types of information that the tool provides.

Network-Based Application […]

Aside from auditing a customer’s current network using various network management tools, utilities, and Cisco IOS commands, analyzing existing applications and network traffic also provides accurate sources of information to characterize a network.
As part of most network design projects, the customer will usually provide a list of existing network-related applications, either verbally or through various […]

On small networks, the auditing process is almost always carried out manually. This is usually accomplished by issuing commands on various network devices to view their configuration, status, and so on. While this is a practical solution for environments that are relatively small, such a method would be exceptionally time consuming on a network that […]

A far more accurate source of information about the existing customer network is obtained through auditing. Generally speaking, auditing involves using various methods, tools, and IOS commands to gather information about the current status of the network.
For example, a company may already have a network management system like HP OpenView deployed that could be used […]

Although all network design projects will ultimately involve a very careful and thorough analysis of the existing network, a great deal of information is often provided in advance by the customer. Sometimes this information is limited to what has been provided in the RFP and RFI documents, while in others, large amounts of supplementary documentation […]

Once the initial customer requirement, goals, and constraints associated with a proposed network design project have been determined and documented, it’s time to move on to step 2 of the network design process. Identifying and analyzing the current network involves learning as much information as possible about an organization’s existing network. Having this information is […]