How to Design a Network
Network design and management is an iterative procedure that encompasses network synthesis, topological design and network realization. It aims to design such a network that can meet the needs of operator or subscriber. The process of network planning is very important before the establishment of new network or service.The planning of traditional network involves four layers methodology.
- Medium and long term network planning
- Business planning
- Network planning of short term
- Maintenance and operations
These layers incorporate various time horizons like business planning layer explains the process that is helpful for operator specific network operations. Maintenance and operation layer determines of how network will work for daily basis tasks.
The planning of network process starts with the task of external information acquisition. It includes:
- Forecasting about new network operations and services
- Financial information related to cost
- Network capabilities and its technical details
The planning of network is involved the implementation of new system in four layers OSI model. It indicates that network administrator must select network topology or protocol before network design implementation.
Network design involves three basic steps before the establishment of physical structure.
Topological design:
In this stage, you need to determine about the place of network components and the process of their connectivity. Optimization methods are employed with the use of mathematics theory called graph theory. This stage determines the optimum connection matrix, cost, and location of connectors and switches.
Network synthesis:
This stage helps you to determine the size of different components and performance criteria like grade of sale. This method is known as “Nonlinear Optimization” that determines about required grade of sale, topology, transmission cost and information for routing calculation.
Network Realization:
This stage explains of how to meet network requirements, components, and reliability within the network. This method is known as “Multicommodity Flow Optimisation” that involves the calculation information of physical circuit plan.
These three stages are interrelated to each other that makes network design process rather easy if you fellow them in sequence order.
Network Design implementation:
Before designing any network, it is essential to know some basics about LAN topologies with their plus points and drawbacks. There are three types of topologies that you can choose in accordance to the requirements of your network.
Bus Topology:
In this topology, all nodes are connected to single transmission medium with the use of T-connectors and coaxial cable. A terminator is attached at the end of the wire to absorb signals for transmission.
Advantages:
- Simple and easy to install.
- Low cost.
- Reliable.
- Easily extendable
Disadvantages:
- Slow performance in heavy loading
- Difficult for trouble shooting.
- Cable damage can cause network failure.
- High electromagnetic interference.
Star Topology:
In this topology, peers are connected to centralized component named as hub by cable segment. Transmission is occurred through hub among all computers.
Advantages:
- Low electromagnetic interference.
- Easy steps for troubleshooting.
- Flexible for modification.
- Centralized control.
- Failure of one node does not affect the network
Disadvantages:
- Hub failure can break down network.
Ring Topology:
Computers are connected on a single circle of wire where signals travel in loop form at one direction and pass it to destination computer.
Advantages:
- Equal and easy access to all nodes
- High speed
- Low rate of EMI
Disadvantages:
- Failure of one computer can affect the entire network
- Difficult to resolve problem
- Operation can disrupt due to network configuration.
These are some basic topologies for network design. You can select any of them according to the size and requirements of your network
Basic steps for network design:
Draw a rough structure of your network to determine the exact location of main switches and computer. Review all topologies with their pros and cons carefully and select the one that fits to your requirements.
For cables, consider the following recommendation:
- UTP is suitable for star topology
- Coaxial is for bus topology
- STP is suitable for ring topology
Install them and check the working of network. It is simple process of network design and installation that you can perform without assistance of any technician.
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