Contents

iv

Chapter 5 Network Design

The Role of the Workgroup........................................................................................................5-2
Workgroup Establishment Criteria....................................................................................5-3
Selecting Workgroup Technologies....................................................................................5-9
Creating a Manageable Plan.....................................................................................................5-10
Logical Layout.....................................................................................................................5-10
Fault Aversion.....................................................................................................................5-12
Network Maps and Record Keeping...............................................................................5-14
Network Expandability.............................................................................................................5-15
The Workgroup as the Network..............................................................................................5-16
The Workgroup in the Larger Network..................................................................................5-16
What Is a Backbone?...........................................................................................................5-17
Methods of Configuring Backbones................................................................................ 5-17
Choosing Backbone Technologies....................................................................................5-21
Chapter 6 Ethernet

Ethernet Workgroup Devices.....................................................................................................6-2
Shared Devices......................................................................................................................6-2
Switched Devices..................................................................................................................6-4
Ethernet Workgroup Design......................................................................................................6-5
The Home Office...................................................................................................................6-5
The Small Office..................................................................................................................6-11
The Remote Office.............................................................................................................. 6-16
The High-End Department............................................................................................... 6-19
Permutations....................................................................................................................... 6-24
Chapter 7 Fast Ethernet

Fast Ethernet Workgroup Devices.............................................................................................7-1
Shared Devices......................................................................................................................7-1
Switched Devices..................................................................................................................7-2
Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design..............................................................................................7-3
Small Offices..........................................................................................................................7-3
High-End Department.........................................................................................................7-6
Fast Ethernet as a Backbone................................................................................................7-9
Chapter 8 Token Ring

Token Ring Workgroup Devices................................................................................................8-1
Shared Devices......................................................................................................................8-1
Token Ring Workgroup Design.................................................................................................8-3
Small Office............................................................................................................................8-3