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Planning a network installation
By Lasa Information Systems Team
Basic
Network planning is the process of defining business requirements and
growth plans to build a framework for connecting computers and other
equipment in your organisation. Thinking about these needs before jumping into the actual
implementation eases the process, and increases the likelihood that your chosen network
solution will match your requirements now and in the future.

This article provides practical advice to help address the needs of organisations that have a
network and are in the process of upgrading it. The article should also be useful to
organisations installing a network for the first time.

For an introduction to networks see the knowledgebase article What is a network? (

news.php?id=221 )

How do I get started?
The first step in developing a plan is assessing your current network requirements and
considering how your business is likely to change over time. Here are some ideas to help you
start the process:

Consi der  Usage  Requi rem ents

Determine the number of people that will be using the network to get a rough idea of the
computers and peripherals it must support. Consider how users will interact with the
system to define the features you will need. For example, what sort of access is required to
the network (e.g. will each user have their own computer? or will several users be sharing
the same computer?) Will any users need to access the network remotely (e.g. from home or
other office sites)?

Gather  I nput

Factor the needs of the various teams and departments within your organisation into your
network plan. Start by defining the requirements of each group and determine the relative
costs of incorporating the different requirements into the network plan. This may be in
terms of money or time saved.

P l an  for  the  future

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Detail or factor in, to the best of your knowledge, the direction your organisation is likely to
take in the near future (3-5 years). As you think about expansion, identify any plans that
might affect your network needs (e.g. new staff or volunteers, office expansion, remote
working, or the installation of new software packages). Doing this now will be less
expensive and time-consuming than replacing an inadequate network later.

Deci de  who  wi l l   m anage  the  network

As your network solution becomes more defined, you will need to decide whether you have
the resources in-house to install and maintain it yourself or whether you require a
consultant or external company to handle it. Networking products have become easier to
use and administer over the years, so small organisations are finding that internal day-
to-day management of the network is becoming increasingly cost effective.

External support will also likely be required, and it is worth considering using remote
network administration tools to reduce the number of on-site visits necessary to keep the
network running smoothly.

S ecuri ty  I ssues

Ensure you build security features into your network plan to protect your organisations
most important asset - its information. Common network security precautions include
passwords, virus protection, an external firewall and data encryption.

Other  Consi derati ons

You may enhance the foundation of your network plan by addressing other issues that may
affect the integration, use and maintenance of your network. These include:

In f o rm at io n  Man ag em en t

Consider how to manage information on your server so that users can easily find what they
need. Create standardised naming conventions for files on the server and establish rules
for the creation of new files and folders.

Rem o t e Access

If some staff members travel frequently or work from locations outside your office, you
may want to build remote access capabilities into your network. This can be done through
remote dial-in, or securely over the Internet using a VPN.

St af f  T rain in g

While working with a network is relatively simple, it may demand that employees adopt new
habits. A training program will enable workers to take full advantage of your network's
timesaving and productivity enhancing features. Ensure training time is built into your
network rollout timetable and offer follow up sessions to address ongoing staff challenges
and concerns.

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Network pre-installation checklist
This checklist of questions will help you cover the main areas when it comes to planning
and installing a new or upgraded network.

P l anni ng

How many people will use the network?

How many users are local or on-site?
How many users are remote or off-site and will require access to the network?
How many on-site computers will be connected to the network?
How many on-site devices (computers, servers, scanners, printers, etc) will require a
network card?
How do you intend remote users to access the network?
Which server based applications (e.g. databases, email) do you plan to run on the
network? What are the minimum hardware requirements of these server based
applications?
What are the specifications of the servers you intend to install on the network (e.g.
amount of memory, processor speed etc.)?
Have you purchased sufficient licenses to run all the software on servers and client
machines?

Network  hardware  requi rem ents

What other devices will your network support (e.g. back-up devices, Uninterruptible
Power Supplies, Network printers, etc.)?
Do you have enough network points for these network devices?
Do the hubs or switches have enough ports for the number of connections you will
require? And is there room for growth?

Network  desi gn

What network topology will you use

Do all workstations have the correct Network interface cards (NICs) to support this
technology?
Which network operating system will you use (e.g. Windows 2000 Server, Linux,
Novell etc.)?
Which type of cabling will you use (e.g. CAT 5, fibre optic) or will a wireless network
be suitable?
Where will network cables be located?
Are there any building or leasing regulations that may affect cable placement?
Where will you locate the following devices, servers, hubs or switches, printers,
firewalls and routers, modems etc.?

S ecuri ty,   back-up  and  power

What security measures will you be putting in place? Virus protection, user

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passwords, firewalls, data encryption etc.

Do you need to physically secure your server (e.g. lock it away in a cupboard)?
How will you back up data on your network?
What is the capacity of your back up solution?
Is it large enough to support all the data on your servers and network devices?
Does your back up solution have the capacity to grow as your data grows?
How frequently will files be backed up and how long will you keep backed up files?
Where will you store backed up tapes (e.g. fireproof safe, off site)?
What devices will require an uniterruptible power supply (e.g. server(s) )?
Is there sufficient ventilation around your servers?

S upport  servi ces

Do you have resources allocated for the following areas (e.g., consultants, in-house IT
staff etc)?
Network installation
Cable installation
Network technical support
Network management
Network security
Network maintenance
Training

Undertaking a significant upgrade to your network or migrating to a newer or different

operating system can be a daunting and challenging task.

Effective planning can limit the system downtime, reduce network crashes and ensure a
seamless transition and minimal disruption to users.

About  the  author

Lasa Information Systems Team ( http://lasa.org.uk/it )

Lasa Information Systems Team provides a range of services to community and
voluntary organisations including ICT Health Checks and consulting on the best
application of technology in your organisation. Lasa IST is responsible for maintaining
the ICT Hub Knowledgebase.

Rel ated  arti cl es

Do you need a network? ( http://ictknowledgebase.org.uk/doyouneedanetwork )

So You Think You Want a Server? ( http://ictknowledgebase.org.uk/gettingaserver )
What is a Network ( http://ictknowledgebase.org.uk/whatisanetwork )

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