Planning an IT network requires a structured approach. This article contains some important tips for the planning and creation.
For your LANCOM support requests, you can help us get the best understanding of your network if you send us a detailed network plan (physical & logical). Please note item 11 “Documentation”. |
Specify the network requirements. Consider factors such as the number of users, the type of traffic, the bandwidth required, security requirements, etc. The more specific your requirements are, the better you can plan your network.
Decide on a network topology that best suits your needs. Consider factors such as scalability, performance, and redundancy.
Develop an IP addressing plan to identify each device and subnet on the network. Decide whether you want to use IPv4 or IPv6 and how you want to assign and manage the addresses.
Determine which network devices are required, including routers, switches, firewalls, access points, etc. Decide what features and capacities these devices should have to meet your needs.
Establish security policies to protect the network from unauthorized access, threats, and data loss. Consider the security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), virtual private networks (VPNs), etc.
Decide which network protocols to use for managing the communications and network traffic. These include protocols such as TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, SNMP, etc.
Plan the network for future growth and scalability. Ensure that the network is easily expandable and able to meet increasing demands.
Plan redundant components and resilience mechanisms to ensure that the network is failsafe and remains available in the event of hardware or connection problems.
LANCOM Systems offers a range of attractive support products that will help you to reduce downtime to a minimum, among other things. |
Define how you want to manage and monitor the network. Consider aspects such as remote monitoring, logging, performance management, troubleshooting, and upgrades. We recommend that you manage your network with the LANCOM Management Cloud (LMC).
Develop an implementation plan that includes step-by-step deployment of the network. Plan the resources, timeline, and responsibilities for each phase of implementation.
Maintain a central and comprehensive documentation including the network map and all relevant information. This helps with the management, maintenance, and future updates of the network.
Sketch the cabling on your physical network plan. You can use specialized software or even just pencil and paper will do. Record the cable routes and the connection points between the devices. Pay particular attention to the type of cabling, such as Ethernet cable, fiber-optic cable, or coaxial cable,
Use diagramming software such as Microsoft Visio, yEd, Draw.io, or even just paper and pencil to show the logical structure of your network. Draw the network components as symbols and link them according to their connections. Use lines to indicate connections between components.
Note that network planning is a complex task and varies depending on your specific requirements. For complex networks, it may be advisable to bring in an IT specialist or team to ensure that all aspects are addressed properly. |