Network Design Activity 1 – Requirements Definition

Network Design Activity 1 – Requirements Definition

Part A Discussion – Prior to designing any network, the network must have a set of requirements which define it and are well understood by the network engineers and architects.  Therefore, many of the requirements must be established.  In order to establish the requirements, a number of questions/considerations need to be first asked and then answered.  The answers to these questions generally then become the requirements that must be met by the network.  The network architect/engineer usually are the ones asking the questions.  And the customers, users, and IT staff using the network usually are the ones that would provide answers to the network design questions. 

Listed below are a few basic subject areas to consider when forming your questions.  You may use this list to identify what questions would be asked for each of the subject areas.  You may include other subject areas as you deem appropriate.

Users

Organization Growth

Security

• Budget
• Scope
• Scalability
• Physical space within which to deploy the network devices
• Instructions
• Write at least two questions for each of four subject areas. Feel free to include more subject areas if you feel the ones above are not broad enough.
• Post your proposed questions to the Board.

Select one (1) other student’s discussion posting and read it thoroughly.  Offer suggestions, constructive critiques, and/or feedback on their questions in order to improve upon their network design questions. Select a student who does not have any responses yet to their initial posting. When offering suggestions and criticisms, ensure that you are being professional, courteous, and respectful of your peers.