Network Designs

[scooter817]

Hi all

I wanted to know if someone can give me some adivce,I've started my own consulting company and I have a client who wants a network redesign and a

Core network design.Both of these are for different sites and I wanted to know what questions should I ask the client and is there some books that I can

read upon about network design that will give me a good feel on how to proceed. I have a good ideal already about the hardware that is needed at each layer, but the network I learned on was a large enterprise network and these are smaller networks and I really want to do a good job for this user so that

I can get repeat business.Thanks in advance and have a great day and I look forward to your replies.

[Jon Marshall · Accepted solution]

1) you should ask is why does the client want a network redesign and what are they looking to achieve by doing this ie. no one does a network redesign just for the fun of it

2)  based on the answers to the first question you need to see the existing network design and then work out why it does not meet the clients needs.

3) probably as important as anything else is what budget is available for the redesign ie. consultancy for you and hardware budget.

4)  what inhouse experience the client has. You can setup the loveliest shiny network but if the customer cannot then support it it is not particularly useful to them.

5) future plans for expansion for the client

6) the hardest part - application, traffic patterns, bandwidth requirements of the network. Make sure you at least identify the apps that the client makes their money from and design accordingly.

Don't decide on hardware before the design. The design dictates the hardware design and not the other way around. If you already have an idea of the hardware you are going to use you either have answers to all the above or you are getting ahead of yourself

A good place for design info are Cisco's design papers -

www.cisco.com/go/srnd

Jon

[scooter817]

Thanks alot Jon, I'm going to take those six qyestions along with the design papers and make this my bible.

I've never done a network design on my own but you have to start some where.If I have any further questions down

the line I will definitly post them because you guys have really helped me in past situations

[burleyman]

Along with Jon's great advice I would look at going for your CCDA and then on to your CCDP. I have just started reading the new book for the CCDA called, "Designing for Cisco Internetwork Solutions (DESIGN)" Foundations Learning Guide, 3rd edition. The book so far is very good and it goes over the types of questions you should ask and the steps to a good network design. I would recommend the book along with the papers Jon referenced. Good luck in your new endeavor.

Mike

[scooter817]

I will definitly get that book and get on it because I really want to do a good job.

[hoomanp]

Definately look at CCDA resources. It really helped me few years back. Good luck.

Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPhone App

[scooter817]

Thanks alot