Network Design
Selecting Workgroup Technologies
The selection of a network technology at the workgroup level is a very important decision, and one that should be made only after careful consideration and evaluation. Before deciding on a network technology to be used by the workgroups, make sure you are familiar with the operation of each type of technology, the strengths and shortcomings of those technologies, and the special design considerations that each technology imposes on the network. Chapter 2 is a good place to go for initial information, but the text deliberately avoids examining the technologies in great detail. For more detailed treatments of the technologies, refer to the Cabletron Networking Guide -
The selection of a workgroup technology is an analysis of functionality. It is the job of the Network Manager or persons designing the network to determine which factors of the network design are the foremost requirements.
The most common determining factors in selecting a network technology are performance (speed of operation), reliability, ease of configuration, troubleshooting, and cost. Cost is a separate issue from price, as cost is based on the inherent expenses of the technology, whereas price is highly dependent upon the vendor supplying the products and the quality of the products and service associated with them.
This information is not intended to be the only guide for deciding upon a networking technology. The selection of a technology determines the capabilities and characteristics of the entire network, and is one of the most important and
For this reason, once you feel that you have selected a suitable technology, do further research on that technology if you have any questions about its operation or the means by which a network is created using that technology. Contact your Cabletron Systems Sales Representative for information, or read any of the technical books available on the subject matter.
The Role of the Workgroup |
