© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 1 Version 4.0 Gathering Network Requirements Designing and Supporting Computer Networks – Chapter 2

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 2 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.

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 3 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 4 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 5 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 6 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 7 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 8 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 9 Explain how the Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach Enables Organizations to Design, Deploy, and Operate a Network Optimize Phase:  Identify and resolve potential network problems

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 10 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 11 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 12 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 13 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 14 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 15 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 16 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 17 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 18 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 19 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 20 Explain the Process of Creating a Network Design and the Information Needed Prioritize the business goals:  Profitability  Business growth and market share  Customer satisfaction

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 21 Identify Requirements and Constraints to Determine the Scope of the Project  Identify and document the technical requirements

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 22 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 23 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

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 24 Explain Design Considerations for Manageability Typical network management architecture:  Network Management System (NMS)  Network Management Protocol  Managed devices  Management agents  Management information

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 25 Explain Design Considerations for Manageability  Network monitoring tools can be used to page or send to on-call technicians  Tools respond to network fault or when a predefined threshold is met

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 26 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.

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public 27