Chapter 2

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 1Version 4.0

Gathering Network Requirements

Designing and Supporting Computer Networks – Chapter 2

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 2

Objectives Explain how the Cisco Lifecycle Services approach

enables organizations to prepare, plan, design, implement, operate and optimize a network that supports the introduction of new technologies.

Describe sales activities and the role of the network designer in the pre-sales process.

Explain 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.

Explain design considerations for manageability.


Explain how the 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



Prepare Phase:

Define business goals

Consider possible constraints

Develop the strategy and solution



Plan Phase:

Perform site and operations assessment

Identify necessary modifications

Prepare the project plan



Design Phase:

Create plans that guide the installation

Complete the design of the network

Generate a final proposal



Implement Phase:

Build the network according to design specifications

Perform testing

Install the new solution

Perform system-level acceptance testing

Document results



Operate Phase:

Monitor the network

Establish a baseline

Define policies and procedures



Optimize Phase:

Identify and resolve potential network problems


Describe Sales Activities and the Role of the Network Designer in the Pre-Sales Process

Response document:

Cover letter

Executive summary

Proposed solution and proposed cost

Signature page

Appendices



Customer issues RFP or RFQ

Pre-bid meeting or pre-submittal conference



Request for Proposal (RFP):

Business goals

Project scope

Requirements for new network

Preliminary schedule, milestones and deliverables



Request For Quote (RFQ):

Organizational overview

Required deliverables

Assumptions/agreements



Account manager:

Maintain continuing relationship between company and customers

Serve as primary contact



Pre-sales systems engineer:

Determine the need for upgrades or additions to networks

Determine technical requirements and feasibility



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



Post-sales field engineer:

Ensure network upgrade functions as designed

Provide customer training and assistance

Resolve technical problems


Explain the Process of Creating a Network Design and the Information Needed

Interpersonal skills:

Listening and accurately summarizing information

Corresponding with clients

Presenting technical material



Understand how network users interact with network resources and services

Identify all user groups

Assess the impact of adding new user groups



Prioritize the business goals:

Profitability

Business growth and market share

Customer satisfaction


Identify Requirements and Constraints to Determine the Scope of the Project

Identify and document the technical requirements


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


Explain 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



Typical network management architecture:

Network Management System (NMS)

Network Management Protocol

Managed devices

Management agents

Management information



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


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.

Chapter 2

Education

Transcript of Chapter 2