Technology design is the phase in network planning where specific technical solutions and components are selected to meet the identified needs from the needs analysis stage.
- This step involves determining the hardware, software, and tools necessary to implement the network effectively.
Key Components of Technology Design
1.) Designing Clients and Servers:
Designing Clients and Servers involves selecting and configuring the devices that will operate on the network.
- It ensures that all clients (end-user devices) and servers (centralized systems) are optimized for performance, compatibility, and scalability.
Key Considerations:
- Clients: Desktops, laptops, smartphones, and IoT devices. Ensure compatibility with operating systems, applications, and network protocols.
- Servers: Application servers, database servers, and file servers. Focus on hardware capacity, virtualization, and fault tolerance.
- Hardware: Adequate processing power, memory, and storage capacity to handle anticipated workloads.
- Software: Use of virtualization and cloud services to improve flexibility and reduce costs.
2.) Designing Circuits:
Designing Circuits involves planning the physical and logical pathways for data transmission within the network.
- It ensures that circuits provide adequate bandwidth, low latency, and high reliability to support network traffic.
Key Considerations:
- Bandwidth: Sufficient capacity to handle peak traffic loads.
- Redundancy: Backup circuits to ensure failover in case of outages.
- Circuit Types: Options include leased lines, MPLS, broadband, or fiber connections.
- Cost Efficiency: Balancing performance requirements with cost constraints.
3.) Network Design Tools:
Network Design Tools is the software tools and platforms used to design, simulate, and analyze network performance.
- It helps visualize the network, predict performance, and identify potential issues.
Common Tools:
- Simulation Tools: Cisco Packet Tracer, GNS3, or NetSim for network modeling and testing.
- Design Software: Microsoft Visio or SolarWinds for creating detailed network diagrams.
- Monitoring Tools: Tools like Nagios or Wireshark to assess real-time network performance.
4.) Deliverables:
Deliverables is the final outputs of the technology design phase that guide the network implementation process.
- It provides a clear and actionable plan for building the network.
Key Deliverables:
- Detailed hardware and software specifications for all network components.
- Circuit designs, including bandwidth and redundancy plans.
- Network topology diagrams and architectural plans.
- A list of recommended tools and technologies for implementation and monitoring.
Importance of Technology Design
- Performance Optimization: Ensures the network operates efficiently under all expected conditions.
- Scalability: Prepares the network to adapt to future growth and technology advancements.
- Cost Efficiency: Avoids over-provisioning or under-provisioning resources by aligning technology choices with requirements.
- Reliability: Incorporates redundancy and fault tolerance to minimize downtime.
