You can use this network planning worksheet to supplement your network planning research.
Each scenario includes similar tables with prerequisites and assumptions made about the network environment. The following tables do not cover a complete network design for every environment, but provide you with a basis to start thinking about your own environment. For example, before coming to these scenarios, you need to plan for system availability, performance, and capability.
| System worksheet | Company answer |
|---|---|
| Record the system model. | |
| Record the operating system version. | |
| Understand and document the logical partitioning environment. | |
| Determine the client needed to connect to the system. | |
| Record the type of communication adapter installed. See Network communications for more information on Ethernet, token ring, and others. | |
| Record the communication resource name. | |
| Record the IP address for the system. | |
| Record the subnet mask for the system. | |
| Record the gateway address. | |
| Record the host name and domain name. | |
| Record the IP address for the Domain Name System (DNS). |
| Network worksheet | Company answer |
|---|---|
| Establish clear network goals. | |
| Who are the users and what are their requirements? | |
| What applications support those requirements? | |
| What performance is expected from those applications? | |
| What protocol is required? Keep interoperability in mind. Most networks use TCP/IP; however, there are other alternatives. See Network communications for more information. | |
| Do some applications require higher priority than others? | |
| Are the applications sensitive to delay or packet loss? | |
| What applications have specific security needs? Security planning should be integrated with network planning. See the security planner for a resource on planning network security. | |
| Will this network grow in the future and how quickly? Make sure to consider security in your basic network architecture. | |
| What technologies should be used for the LAN? | |
| What other devices will be connected to the network? | |
| Draw a picture of your network. |