Network Design
Tracking Changes
Your network maps will be used for keeping track of a large amount of information, which will naturally change over time. As the network grows or is altered, the devices that make up the network will change, new workgroups will be added, segmented off from larger workgroups or combined with smaller ones. It is, therefore, important to keep track of the changes made to the network, and the network map is a good place to do this.
A network map that indicates a patch panel, punchdown block, or breakout box should identify that patch panel by a numerical or alphabetical code. This code should indicate a patch panel chart, which can be referred to for connection information.
Any network device which appears on the general network map should be identified by some short and easily read code. This code refers to a separate list of the actual type of device. For example, the network map might show a diamond shape with “B882” written in it. A look at the chart or table of devices associated with this map indicates that the “B” in the code indicates a bridge, and bridge “882” is a standalone
Network Expandability
Networks tend to grow. As businesses change and networking capabilities become more and more a part of the business process, networks grow in size or complexity and capability. For this reason, it is important, in any network, to plan for future expansion.
Expansion does not only mean being able to increase the total port count; expandability includes the later incorporation of new and future technologies, increasing the power, speed, and reliability of the network.
The Cabletron Systems PLUS architecture, a key component in the design of the MMAC,
Network Expandability |
