Gathering Network Requirements

1. Gathering Network Requirements Designing and Supporting Computer Networks – Chapter 2

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. The Process of Creating a Network Design and the Information Needed Interpersonal skills: • Listening and accurately summarizing information • Corresponding with clients • Presenting technical material

19. 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

20. 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

21. 2.4.1 Identify Requirements and Constraints to Determine the Scope of the Project • Identify and define the technical requirements

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 2.5.2 SNMP Typical network management architecture: • Network Management System (NMS) • Network Management Protocol (SNMP) • Managed devices • Management agents - software • Management information

25. 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

26. 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.