Confirm Client Requirements

Confirm Client RequirementsThis theory will cover the following:Identify Organisational RequirementsConfirm Client RequirementsIdentify Organisational Requirements

Confirm Client RequirementsA prerequisite to good network design is to discuss the client’s networking needs, as this will enable you to analyse the various issues which the network needs to address.

Confirm Client RequirementsTo do this you will need to arrange several meetings with the client.

Confirm Client RequirementsInitially these meetings will probably focus on fairly broad managerial type issues, but as you obtain more and more information about the client’s needs you can then arrange meetings to discuss specific issues.

Confirm Client RequirementsDefining Business Objectives

Confirm Client RequirementsYou should start the analysis process by asking the client some questions about the desired functionality of the network, such as:

Confirm Client RequirementsWhat tasks would the client like to automate or make more efficient?

What business applications does the client need to support?

Does the client simply want to have shared access to word processing files, or do they have multi-user databases to support?

Does the client require electronic mail and Internet, perhaps even a web server?Confirm Client RequirementsDoes the client require electronic mail and Internet, perhaps even a web server?

Is the client planning to incorporate EFTPOS operations into the network?

What is the estimated size of the network; how many users will the network service?

How important is network security?

Does the client have an existing network, and what is its function?Confirm Client RequirementsOnce you have considered all the business tasks and functions the client requires, write them down and assign priorities to each item – this is the beginning of your network plan.

Confirm Client RequirementsAs you create the plan, consider which parts you can do now and which can be addressed later, taking care of critical business functions first.

Confirm Client RequirementsThe following points address some of the issues that should be included in the network plan:

Confirm Client Requirements1. Sizing the networkIt is important to have a clear idea of the network’s expected size, taking in to consideration the number of users and the level of use.

Confirm Client Requirements1. Sizing the networkPlan for future growth by building in extra capacity from the beginning.

Confirm Client Requirements1. Sizing the networkConsider what capacity the client may need in two or three years and how an increase in the number of users will affect data storage needs.

Confirm Client Requirements1. Sizing the networkA good network should be designed to grow easily with the careful addition of existing technology.

Confirm Client Requirements2. Follow a standard approachIt is important that you plan and build the network using standard industry-proven components.

Confirm Client Requirements2. Follow a standard approachAs business relationships change, the network may need to interconnect with others.

Confirm Client Requirements2. Follow a standard approachIt is therefore wise to design a network that is not likely to pose compatibility problems.

Confirm Client Requirements2. Follow a standard approachIf you are designing a network for an independent branch of a larger organisations, obtain copies of current network operations and use these as your standard.

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityWhat types of external connections will the network need? Is Internet access necessary?

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityIf so, will a dial-up connection suffice, or will you need a fill-time dedicated link?

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityWill the client require remote access for their staff?

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityOne of the most challenging aspects of designing a network involves setting up links to external networks.

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityNot only are these the most technically complex tasks of implementing a network, but they also carry significant costs, that the client needs to be aware of from the very beginning.

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityMany organisations maintain a ‘web presence’ via the development of an Internet home page, allowing them to showcase their goods and services to the general public.

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityHowever, there is much more to the Internet than simply creating a home page.

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityIt is important to make the client aware of the various Internet services available as well as the technical issues surrounding the implementation of those services.

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityYou need to make sure that the client is well informed about the potential security issues involved in connecting their network to the Web.

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityThe first question you should ask the client is what level of Internet access they require: do they want the use the Internet to promote their own business or to access information?

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityIf the organisation simply wants to set up a home page to provide client information, then they may choose to contract an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a web designer to maintain their web presence, with little if any interruption to internal network services.

Confirm Client Requirements3. ConnectivityIf the organisation decides that they would like their staff to have Internet access, to be able to send emails and browse the web, then the task becomes more difficult, and more costly.

Confirm Client Requirements4. SecurityWhile the network operating system is responsible for maintain the overall security of the network, especially in terms of user access and authentication, the type of network hardware used can also have an impact on security.

Confirm Client Requirements4. SecurityConsider the following hardware-related security risks:

Confirm Client Requirements4. SecurityThe nature of wireless networking means that a potential hacker does not need to have physical access to the network.

Confirm Client Requirements4. SecurityEstablishing a permanent Internet connection via ADSL potentially makes the network accessible to anybody connected to the Web.

Confirm Client Requirements4. SecurityThe risk may be minor, but it is important to make the client aware that a risk exists

Confirm Client Requirements4. SecurityOf course there are also a number of hardware solutions that can be implemented to help minimize risk and improve security.

Confirm Client Requirements4. SecurityFor exampleUsing intelligent routers with built-in firewalls which offer a higher level of security than those without

Using a switch or bridge to partition sensitive areas of a network from public access areasConfirm Client Requirements4. SecurityThe level of security required is going to depend on the type of information stored on a system.

Confirm Client Requirements4. SecurityFor example, a video store is going to have limited security requirements whereas a legal firm is going to have significant security requirements.

Confirm Client Requirements5. InteroperabilityThis refers to the hardware’s ability to communicate and interact with different hardware and operating systems.

Confirm Client Requirements5. InteroperabilityWhen recommending new hardware you need to consider what type of hardware is already in use and make sure that the new component is compatible.

Confirm Client Requirements5. InteroperabilityYou should also consider what standards exist within the industry: if most other industries in this organisation use XYZ, and you advise the client to use ABC then you need to make sure that the two systems are compatible.

Confirm Client Requirements6. Ease of useThe hardware needs to be easy to use, especially for the end user.

Confirm Client Requirements6. Ease of useIn situations where the client requires ongoing administration access to the system, then the recommended hardware should come with an easy-to-use configuration interface, as well as good quality documentation.

Confirm Client Requirements7. Software compatibilityYou need to know what software the client intends to run, both now and in the near future.

Confirm Client Requirements7. Software compatibilityAdvising the client on a particular piece of hardware, only find that it does not support the client’s operating system or application software is embarrassing and can be extremely expensive.

Confirm Client Requirements8. WarrantyMost manufacturers offer some level of warranty on their hardware, but these can vary greatly not only from manufacturer to manufacturer but also from item to item.

Confirm Client Requirements8. WarrantyFor example, some manufacturers have a ‘return to base warranty’ which means that if a hardware component fails, it needs to be couriered back to the manufacturer for inspection and repairs or replacement, and this can take several weeks.

Confirm Client Requirements9. CostMost clients will tell you that the most important requirement they have is cost and they are right.

Confirm Client Requirements9. CostHowever what many people fail to realize is that the cheapest option is not always the best, and what the client really needs is not the cheapest but the best value for money.

Confirm Client Requirements9. CostAs an IT professional advising a client on network hardware it is your responsibility to ensure that the hardware you recommend offers the best value for money possible.

Confirm Client Requirements10. Existing InfrastructureIf a network already exists, then it is important to consider the existing infrastructure as it may limit what options are available. In order to do this you will need to meet with other technical staff as well as gain access to any existing network documentation.

Confirm Client Requirements10. Existing InfrastructureSome of the issues you will need to address include:Can any of the existing hardware be reused?

Confirm Client Requirements

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