Cabletron Systems bridges Manuel D’Utilisation

5-1

The following chapter discusses some of the more common approaches to workgroup network design.

The network design process is the formation of the network from initial concept 
to the plan of implementation. In this Networking Guide, for the sake of brevity, 
the process of network design is separated from the process of network 
configuration. Network design is presented and treated as the decisions leading 
up to the selection of hardware, and network configuration is the process of 
putting hardware together to create a functioning network.

When designing a network installation or configuration, draw 
the network. At the very least, make a rough sketch of each 
aspect of the network design process. Seeing the various parts 
of your design will help you identify strengths and weaknesses 
and make it easier for you to achieve a grasp of the network as 
a whole.

Similarly, draw out the network configuration once you begin 
selecting hardware. While it is not necessary to represent every 
port, labeling modules and showing the connections made 
between them can point out potential problems before they are 
cemented into the configuration.