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Gathering Network Requirements

Designing and Supporting Computer Networks – Chapter 2

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Objectives Explain how the Cisco Lifecycle Services approach

enables organizations to prepare, plan, design, implement, operate and optimize a network that supports the introduction of new technologies.

Describe sales activities and the role of the network designer in the pre-sales process.

Explain 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.

Explain design considerations for manageability.

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Explain how the 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

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Explain how the 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

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Explain how the 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

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Explain how the 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

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Explain how the 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 Document results

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Explain how the 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

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Explain how the Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach Enables Organizations to Design, Deploy, and Operate a Network

Optimize Phase:

Identify and resolve potential network problems

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Describe Sales Activities and the Role of the Network Designer in the Pre-Sales Process

Response document:

Cover letter

Executive summary

Proposed solution and proposed cost

Signature page

Appendices

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Describe 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

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Describe 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

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Describe Sales Activities and the Role of the Network Designer in the Pre-Sales Process

Request For Quote (RFQ):

Organizational overview

Required deliverables

Assumptions/agreements

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Describe 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

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Describe 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 to networks

Determine technical requirements and feasibility

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Describe 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

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Describe 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

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Explain the Process of Creating a Network Design and the Information Needed

Interpersonal skills:

Listening and accurately summarizing information

Corresponding with clients

Presenting technical material

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Explain 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

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Explain the Process of Creating a Network Design and the Information Needed

Prioritize the business goals:

Profitability

Business growth and market share

Customer satisfaction

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Identify Requirements and Constraints to Determine the Scope of the Project Identify and document the technical requirements

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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

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Explain 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

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Explain Design Considerations for Manageability

Typical network management architecture:

Network Management System (NMS)

Network Management Protocol

Managed devices

Management agents

Management information

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Explain 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

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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.

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