Cabletron Systems bridges Manuel D’Utilisation
Network Design
5-16
The Workgroup as the Network
The Workgroup as the Network
In many cases, the only network that a facility requires is a single workgroup.
Depending on the bandwidth, segmentation, and security requirements of any
facility, the single workgroup may be all that is needed. In these situations, the
only network to be considered is the workgroup.
Depending on the bandwidth, segmentation, and security requirements of any
facility, the single workgroup may be all that is needed. In these situations, the
only network to be considered is the workgroup.
When the only networking concern is the workgroup, issues such as
internetworking and inter-workgroup communications are not a part of the initial
design strategy. A single workgroup design can be customized to any extent that
the Network Designer wishes, without concern for the inclusion of
internetworking or security.
internetworking and inter-workgroup communications are not a part of the initial
design strategy. A single workgroup design can be customized to any extent that
the Network Designer wishes, without concern for the inclusion of
internetworking or security.
It is important in these situations, however, to plan for future expansion. What
will happen if the number of stations to be placed on the network increases in the
coming years? How willing are the network’s end users to pay to completely
replace all the equipment that makes up the workgroup in order to add special
functions? What actions will be taken if the facility expands or constructs another
separate office? All of these questions should be examined before selecting a
single networking product.
will happen if the number of stations to be placed on the network increases in the
coming years? How willing are the network’s end users to pay to completely
replace all the equipment that makes up the workgroup in order to add special
functions? What actions will be taken if the facility expands or constructs another
separate office? All of these questions should be examined before selecting a
single networking product.
The Workgroup in the Larger Network
In most situations, the workgroup is only a part of a larger enterprise network. In
these situations, consideration must be given to the organization of the enterprise
network when designing the workgroup. Workgroups in an enterprise network
quite often have specific internetworking needs. The Ethernet workgroup in the
Materials Processing department may need a connection to the corporate Token
Ring backbone network, or the small branch office network may require a Wide
Area Network connection back to the head offices.
these situations, consideration must be given to the organization of the enterprise
network when designing the workgroup. Workgroups in an enterprise network
quite often have specific internetworking needs. The Ethernet workgroup in the
Materials Processing department may need a connection to the corporate Token
Ring backbone network, or the small branch office network may require a Wide
Area Network connection back to the head offices.
The specific situation faced at any installation site is one of two conditions: either
the workgroup(s) must be connected to an existing facility backbone or a
backbone must be set up to connect a series of newly-designed workgroups. The
sections that follow describe some of the approaches taken to facility backbone
design, their strengths and weaknesses.
the workgroup(s) must be connected to an existing facility backbone or a
backbone must be set up to connect a series of newly-designed workgroups. The
sections that follow describe some of the approaches taken to facility backbone
design, their strengths and weaknesses.