Chapter 14

Network Design and

Implementation
2
Network Analysis and Design
Aspects of network analysis and design
Understanding the requirements for a communications network
Need to decide how detailed the analysis must be
Example: just install more capacity than needed to avoid time
consuming estimates of required capacity
Investigating alternative ways for implementing the network
Selecting the most appropriate alternative to provide the required
capability
Similar considerations used for voice and data networks
Usually involves a multi-step process
3
Network Implementation
Process of installing a network and making it
operational

4
Project Approach
Network analysis, design and implementation
usually done in multi-phase project
Main objective:
Provide network satisfying user requirements at
an appropriate cost
May outsource the project
Usually the case for small businesses
5
Network Project Steps
1. The request
2. Preliminary investigation and feasibility study
3. Detailed understanding and definition of requirements
4. Investigation of alternatives
5. Network design
6. Selection of vendors and equipment
7. Calculation of costs
8. Documentation of network design and implementation
plan

6
Network Project Steps
9. Approval by management
10. Equipment order
11. Preparation for implementation
12. Installation
13. Training
14. System testing
15. Cutover
16. Implementation cleanup and audit
7
Preliminary Investigation
A small preliminary project team is formed to
examine existing communication system
Determine what improvements are necessary
Estimate costs and schedule
Creeping commitment of resources
Ramp up project personnel and expenditures as
needed
Helps minimize financial risk if project is stopped
8
Project Life Cycle
9
Definition of Requirements
Breakdown requirements by
Geography
Traffic loads (peak and average)
Transaction-based network loads are easier to estimate
Internet-type environments are more difficult to estimate due to
different traffic types (images, sound, video)
Flow pattern
i.e. Star vs. mesh
Traffic in star flows through central node
Traffic in mesh has more complex pattern
Response time and reliability
10
Definition of Requirements
Future growth
Completion date
Compatibility with old network
Costs
11
Typical Data Network Traffic
Load
12
Analysis of Expected Traffic
Loads
13
Investigate Alternatives
Check availability of different services
Public switched vs. private lines
Topology type
Is packet switching available?
Satellite?
14
Network Design
Iterative process
Refinements made as project progresses
Translate specs to drawings
Simulate the design
Allows what if scenarios
Simulation model can be difficult to create
Calculate response times
Example: Require transmission of 100 million
characters in an 8-hour day with no longer than 1
second response time

15
Network Diagram
16
Response Time Design
Example
17
Equipment and Vendor
Selection
Evaluate types of equipment available
Send out Request
Request for Quotation (RFQ) to vendors of
commodity products and services.
Request for Proposal (RFP) to vendors of
custom products and services.
Detail required by vendor in response to
RFQ/RFP varies based on application
Evaluate vendor proposals
18
Example RFP
19
Example Vendor Response to
RFP
20
Calculate Costs
Examine costs of alternate designs
Group costs by
Circuit costs
Modem costs
Other hardware costs
Software costs
Personnel costs
21
Documentation of Design
Include:
Specifications
Software and versions
Wiring diagrams
Equipment list
22
Management Approval of
Design
Present design and cost/benefit information
to management
Design review
23
Network Implementation
Equipment Order
Make sure equipment specs meet your needs
Make purchase contingent on acceptance test
(expensive items)
Watch out for lead times
Prepare for Implementation
Set up network policies
Modify software
Track progress
24
Network Implementation
Installation
Allocate and prepare space
Mechanical drawings showing locations
Have vendors install and test equipment
Make sure equipment interfaces properly
Training
Train users, operational and maintenance
personnel


25
Network Implementation
System Testing
Perform as much testing as possible initially
Locate and solve problems
May need to test hardware and software separately
Schedule tests when network has minimum load
Stress test to find network limits
Workload generator software that produces network traffic
Test component error handling capability
Failure to test error recovery is a major oversight
Can the network recover?
26
Network Implementation
Cutover
High visibility event
Typically scheduled for weekend
Problems can occur
Good idea to have technicians from equipment vendor
companies on hand during cutover
Implementation Cleanup and Audit
Make adjustments
Revise documentation
Audit
Find out if benefits of new network are as expected
Interview users and support personnel