There is a tendency not to think of the network as simple plumbing—to assume that the only design considerations are the size and length of the pipes or the speed and channels of the connections, and to dismiss the rest as unimportant. Just as plumbing in a large stadium or high-rise building is designed for scale, purpose, redundancy, protection against tampering or failure, and ability to withstand peak loads, the network requires similar consideration. As users depend on the network to access the most important information they need to do their jobs and to reliably transmit their voice or video, the network must be able to provide sustainable, intelligent transportation. A robust network design must also include flexibility to meet the changing needs of the organization.
Here are some key concepts to consider when building a reliable and versatile network. The network should be:
- Always working and stable – ready to work at any time.
- Intelligent — adaptation to changing needs, going beyond basic standards, using analytical information about network activity.
- Safe is the protection of the organization and its users.
Designing a campus LAN is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. The scale of a campus LAN can be as simple as a single switch and wireless access point in a small, remote area or a large, distributed multi-building complex with high wired port density and wireless requirements. A deployment may require very high availability for services offered by the network with a low risk tolerance, or there may be tolerance for a failover approach with extended service outages for a limited number of users deemed acceptable. The choice of platform for these deployments is often driven by network bandwidth needs, the devices and network capabilities offered, and the need to meet any compliance requirements important to the organization.