Overview:

Which LAN to implement depends on many factors. Number of users, typical file size, anticipated traffic, securityneeds, growth potential, cost, physical plant, and technical needsare just a few. The decision should not be made in isolation,but with input from managers and users from every area of the enterprise. The administrator should be made aware as soon as possible that new users are going to be added to the network,so that she may plan often needed load-balancing, planning resources for the new users, purchasing additional licenses, hardware, software,etc.

Good record keeping is imperative. A problem log should be reviewed and past problems avoided. If a persistent problem with NICs or routers, for example the MTBF(Mean Time Between Failures) exceeds the acceptable threshold, it may be prudent to purchase a different brand or model for the new users. A checklist should be maintained as a "living document". It should be reviewed at least quarterly, and updated when factors are introduced into the system,such as a mail server, or a new software package. It should be integrated with a maintenance schedule on a monthly, quarterly,and yearly basis. The checklist should be as comprehensive as possible and should be the basis of an RFP(Request for Proposal). The RFP is the specification document that can be reviewed by management and vendors, alike. It should detail all of the system requirements and components. The vendor's responses should be weighted and evaluated objectively when they return their bids. More than cost is at stake, so the lowest bidder is often not the best. Experience and business references should be part of the evaluation process.

The classic SDLC(Systems Development Life Cycle) could be effectively used:

1. Investigation or feasibility study
2. Analysis of the existing system and user needs
3. Design the new system and prepare a cost-benefit analysis
4. Acquire the system after bidding is complete
5. Implement the system

A methodical approach, documenting all phases, is the best wayto do the right thing right the first time. In a small shop,the LAN administrator may do all of the planning and implementing; in a larger shop, he may be part of a team, led by a systems analyst,or he may be the project leader. No matter what size of enterprise,the LAN administrator must be in the loop early to understand the user's needs and to avoid costly mistakes that could be avoided with his technical expertise.

Future LANs may be entirely wireless, affording easy reconfiguration of users and peripherals. More and more users are working from remote sites, and future LANs may need greater connectivity. Currently, much is being written about NCs, network computers, which will mean more powerful servers, more technical knowledgeof software for the administrator, and a different paradigm for networking as a whole. The emergence of the INTERNET as a key component of any enterprise has opened new opportunities and problems for the LAN administrator, as customers, vendors, and users areall expected to find their own information on the INTERNET. TheLAN administrator will have to understand how the INTERNET works,how web pages work, how to implement and maintain them, among other new skills.

Because of INTERNET connectivity and more feature-laden software(bloatware),ever faster throughput is needed. Fast Ethernet, ATM(Asynchronous Transmission Mode), FDDI(Fiber Distributed Data Interface), ISDN(Integrated System Digital Network), CDDI(Copper Distributed Data Interface),and Wireless Transmission are some of the newer protocols thatare being deployed today. EDI(Electronic Data Interchange) and email are being deployed by more and more enterprises, and adding new applications and users may put a heavy load on those features. The high interest in multimedia means more data in the form of graphics, animation, and sound require greater bandwidth. There will be no static networks, only dynamic, growing networks in the future.

The opportunities in the industry are limitless, bounded only by the individual's desire to learn new technology.

UNIT OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this unit, the student should be able to:

• Explain the importance of good record keeping.
• Create a checklist of considerations for LAN implementation.
• Explain the importance of a beta-site for testing.
• Explain why the lowest-cost bidder might not get a contract.
• Explain where the RFP fits into LAN design.
• Explain why the LAN administrator should continue his/her education.

KEY TERMS:

Beta-testing:

testing with a "friendly-user"

Needs Analysis:

determination of the criteria for a system

RFP(Request For Proposal):

a specification document of criteria for the system that is supplied to vendors

Vendors:

suppliers

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

READ IN YOUR TEXT:

ASSIGNMENTS

INTERNET SEARCH

You are to use the INTERNET to search for material to enable you to complete the following project.

Design a network to satisfy the criteria of the case study given below, and include your RFP for this project. Include a design document that justifies your design.

The document should include the following, clearly identified:

TOPIC
Design Overview:	What is proposed?
Topology:	How will it be cabled? What architecture?
Advantages of this system:	Why did you chose this?
Alternate Choices:	Why didn't you chose other designs:
Hardware and Network Operating System:	A complete list of parts.
Cost:	A best estimate of the cost. Be sure to identify individual components.
Time to Implement:	How much time? Draw a timeline.
Staffing and Training Issues:	Will there be additional staff needed? Are current personnel sufficient? How long to train users and support staff?
Other Considerations:	What else do you think is needed?

You will be graded on the following criteria:
Feasibility
Correctness
Completeness

THE PROJECT

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. How much lead time does it take to change the topology orthe architecture of a LAN?
2. What is the best way to evaluate a vendor?
3. When there is too much email traffic and the file server performance degrades, what is the best solution?
4. Are wireless networks really secure?
5. How can a LAN administrator ensure that she is choosing theright mix of components and LAN software?
6. If a LAN administrator works for a small firm with littlemoney for education, how can he/she keep abreast of changes intechnology?

Click here for answers to UNIT 11 Focus Questions.

PROJECT CONSIDERATIONS

By now you should have written a draft of all the considerations for your LAN. Now put them into the form of a Request For Proposal. Be sure to submit a professional looking document that incorporates the concepts that have been covered in this course. Sketch your design and submit it with your RFP by the date on the Course Information Page.

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS

The student should read the textbook and do the assignments beforetaking the self-test.

1) A ___________ is necessary if the enterprise is to share a software package.

1. Network computer
2. MTBF
3. RFP
4. site license

2) It is common sense that the lowest bidder should get acontract.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

3) An RFP for a new network should include specifications for

1. a specific word-processing package, spreadsheet package, andDBMS.
2. price, testing criteria, delivery date.
3. site licensing, UPS, backup software.
4. price, MTBF, IRQ.

4) All components in the RFP are of equal importance.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

5) In a small shop, where one person is responsible for theLAN, he should be informed of personnel changes

1. no, it is none of his business.
2. when they have been implemented.
3. as soon as possible.
4. so he can schedule his vacation accordingly.
5. none of the above.

6) When email usage becomes extremely heavy and starts usingan inordinate amount of file server cycles

1. a second file server should be introduced.
2. A mail server should be introduced.
3. email access should be limited to only management.
4. a back-end processor should be introduced.
5. none of the above.

7) The LAN administrator should create, validate and implementan RFP without input from other areas.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

8) There is only one "right" network design foran enterprise.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

9) The average number of faults is measured as

1. RFP
2. FDDI
3. MTBF
4. ISDN

10) From the list below, a good way to get information abouta vendor's reliability is to

1. ask him.
2. weight the criteria in the RFP and compare with other vendors.
3. ask other customers of that vendor for an endorsement.
4. evaluate him on the basis of cost and delivery schedule.

Click here for answers to UNIT 11 Self-Test

CONFERENCE

C.O.D. Online