NETWORK DESIGN

FastNetworks ensures that its technical staff including network designers, configuration staff and technical support staff are trained to a high level of expertise and competence for the delivery of end to end communications infrastructure. Our internal figures show that our technical staff spend approximately one month per year on technical training and certification processes.

Our network designs can range from simple internet access solutions for SMEs to large campus designs, built upon fibre optic backbones, resilient links and technical support. Our network design services can also include consultancy services for tender bids from integrators, such as equipment manufacturers and data cable installers. As certain items with network communications become commoditised i.e. low end switches and network cabling, then end users can request bids from suppliers based on cost only, i.e. bidding against a predetermined design. One area of particular concern is the low quality present in many network installations, due to the following:
  • All that mattered was cost, no overall network design or network strategy was considered. This type of network usually leads to unreliable access to end users i.e. the network service is not available, plus slow networks.
  • End users purchase networking equipment from low cost suppliers such as mail order catalogues. While the initial price is very attractive, the words “low cost with plug and play features” appear to do the selling. We have encountered network upgrades taking place to improve backbone performance, the result no improvement in End User perception of the speed of the network i.e. it is slow. The reason why the upgrade failed is not on the backbone, the problem resides between client and workgroup access devices, or server and core switch. The plug and play concept of networking devices is misleading, yes the device does work straight out of the box, but not efficiently.
  • Poor training of those delivering and installing network infrastructure see www.fastnetworks.co.ukHtml/structured.htm

Avoidance of the above points will deliver improved network infrastructure but strong network and communications infrastructure is only delivered by means of an overall network strategy and good network design.

Once the network has been designed and the contract awarded, then configuration of networking equipment is required. CISCO equipment in particular has a reputation for being difficult to understand and configure from the box. This is true of CISCO equipment, all products require more than simple IP address configuration, and FastNetworks offers a complete configuration service.