Download CST 240 Chapter 2

Gathering Network
Requirements
Designing and Supporting Computer Networks – Chapter 2
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Objectives

Cisco Lifecycle Services approach enables
organizations to prepare, plan, design, implement,
operate and optimize a network that supports the
introduction of new technologies.

sales activities and the role of the network designer in
the pre-sales process.

The Process of creating a network design and the
information needed before the process can begin.

Identify technical requirements and constraints of the
organization to determine the scope of the project.

design considerations for manageability.
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2.1.1 Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach Enables
Organizations to Design, Deploy, and Operate a Network
 Prepare Phase
 Plan Phase
 Design Phase
 Implement Phase
 Operate Phase
 Optimize Phase
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2.1.2 Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach Enables
Organizations to Design, Deploy, and Operate a Network
Prepare Phase:
 Define business goals
 Consider possible constraints
 Develop the strategy and solution
 This stage is usually completed
before the firm, can issue an
RFP or RFQ
 To justify the financial investment
in implementing the technology
change
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2.1.3 Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach Enables
Organizations to Design, Deploy, and Operate a Network
Plan Phase:
 Perform site and operations assessment
 Identify necessary modifications
 Prepare the project plan
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Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach Enables Organizations
to Design, Deploy, and Operate a Network
Design Phase:
 Create plans that guide the installation
 Complete the design of the network
 Generate a final proposal
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2.1.5 Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach Enables
Organizations to Design, Deploy, and Operate a Network
Implement Phase:
 Build the network according to design specifications
 Perform testing
 Install the new solution
 Perform system-level acceptance testing
 Check that the newly installed network meets the business
goals and design requirements
 Document results
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2.1.6 Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach Enables
Organizations to Design, Deploy, and Operate a Network
Operate Phase:
 Monitor the network
 Establish a baseline
 Define policies and
procedures
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2.1.7 Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach Enables
Organizations to Design, Deploy, and Operate a Network
Optimize Phase:
 Identify and resolve potential network problems before
they happen
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2.2.1 Sales Activities and the Role of the Network
Designer in the Pre-Sales Process
Response document:
 Cover letter
 Executive summary
Overview, Solution, Why choose our firm…
 Proposed solution and proposed cost
 Signature page
 Appendices
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2.2.1 Sales Activities and the Role of the Network
Designer in the Pre-Sales Process
 Customer issues RFP or RFQ
 Pre-bid meeting or pre-submittal conference
An opportunity to review the project scope with the customer
Additional information and documentation identified, but not
included in the original RFP
Clarification of formatting and project timeline details not
included in the original RFP
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2.2.3 Sales Activities and the Role of the Network
Designer in the Pre-Sales Process
Request for Proposal (RFP):
 Business goals
 Project scope
 Requirements for new network
 Preliminary schedule, milestones and deliverables
RFPs and RFQs include specifications that define the format and
content of the expected responses from the potential contractors. It is
critical for contractors to follow the instructions contained within the
document as accurately as possible.
Not following the directions or missing sections of the request
could mean that the project is awarded to another contractor.
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2.2.4 Sales Activities and the Role of the Network
Designer in the Pre-Sales Process
Request For Quote (RFQ): When Technical Specs are
Known
 Organizational overview
 Required deliverables
 Assumptions/agreements
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2.2.5 Sales Activities and the Role of the Network
Designer in the Pre-Sales Process
Account manager:
 Maintain continuing relationship between company and
customers
 Serve as primary contact
 Directs the sales teams and support personnel
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2.2.6 Sales Activities and the Role of the Network
Designer in the Pre-Sales Process
Pre-sales systems engineer:
 Determine the need for upgrades or additions by
analyzing the network
 Determine technical requirements and feasibility
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Sales Activities and the Role of the Network
Designer in the Pre-Sales Process
Network designer:
 Analyze customer goals and constraints
 Select technology and equipment to meet defined
network requirements
 Diagram placement and interconnection of devices
 Design and supervise testing
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Sales Activities and the Role of the Network
Designer in the Pre-Sales Process
Post-sales field engineer:
 Ensure network upgrade functions as designed
 Provide customer training and assistance
 Resolve technical problems
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The Process of Creating a Network Design and the
Information Needed
Interpersonal skills:
 Listening and accurately summarizing information
 Corresponding with clients
 Presenting technical material
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The Process of Creating a Network Design and the
Information Needed
 Understand how network users interact with network
resources and services
 Identify all user groups
 Assess the impact of adding new user groups
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2.3.3 The Process of Creating a Network Design
and the Information Needed
Prioritize the business goals:
 Profitability
 Business growth and market share
 Customer Satisfaction
 Contribute to the success of the business
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2.4.1 Identify Requirements and Constraints
to Determine the Scope of the Project
 Identify and define the technical requirements
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2.4.2 Identify Requirements and Constraints
to Determine the Scope of the Project
 Identify the constraints that affect the network design,
including cost, schedule, and resource constraints
Budget - Limited resources may require some
compromises in design due to the costs of equipment,
software, or other components.
Company policies - The design must take into account
the customer's existing policies regarding protocols,
standards, vendors, and applications.
Scheduling - The project time frame should be aligned
with the customer schedules.
Personnel - The availability of trained personnel at the
implementation and operation phases might be a design
consideration.
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2.5.1 Design Considerations for
Manageability
Top-down design approach:
 Adapt the network to the needs of the organization
 Take the design from the perspective of the required
network solutions
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2.5.2 SNMP
Typical network management architecture:
 Network Management System (NMS)
 Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
 Managed devices
 Management agents - software
 Management information
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Design Considerations for Manageability
 Network monitoring tools can be used to page or send
email to on-call technicians
 Tools respond to network fault or when a predefined
threshold is met
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Summary
 The six phases of the network lifecycle include prepare,
plan, design, implement, operate, and optimize.
 A project plan includes tasks, timelines, risks,
responsibilities, and resources required to complete a
network design project.
 Following the required format and schedule is critical to
submitting a successful proposal.
 All members of the networking contractor staff must
demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.
 Top-down network design strategies have the best
chance to succeed.
 A primary requirement for any network is the availability
of qualified support personnel.
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