CertiGuide to Network+  9  Chapter 1001: Networking in the Real World       9  II  Network Design and Planning

Convert line of business into a network plan 1 System Expenditures

Before you begin any trip, you must know where you are starting. In this mission, that means having an inventory of what is already in place. This is critical if you wish to see new equipment communicate with the legacy network components.

Steps to minimize this headache include:

Determine the versions of all existing equipment, both hardware and software. From there, research all available technical bulletins and reports for known issues. While generally speaking newer products work with older ones, this cannot be assumed.

Check the topology of existing equipment to insure that compatibility interoperates. For example, Fast Ethernet has rapidly become the defacto choice in unshielded twisted pair Ethernet installations. A 16 port Fast Ethernet hub is, as of this writing, only a few hundred dollars. The down side is that this example may not communicate with legacy (10Mbit) Ethernet equipment. A dual speed hub with 16 ports is over twice the investment.

Make sure that all your equipment has the latest firmware versions. These are important versions changes created to kill bug issues after release.

Double check version updates for version service packs and upgrades.

For the NETWORK+ test, in planning, and troubleshooting, checking with the vendor, and insuring the latest service packs and firmware is expected.

Failure to follow the above thought will result in you not only seeing the NETWORK+ test again, it will also result in ‘chasing your tail’ on the job.

Systems that have been ignored may result in obsolete systems.

Convert line of business into a network plan 1 System Expenditures