1) What are key factors to keep in mind when creating a LAN plan? What are the benefits of a standardized architecture? Why should a customer use products based on a protocol architecture standard in preference to products based on a proprietary architecture?
2) Internally most companies are going to standardize on an Ethernet network because that is all that is available. Like wise it will probably be based on TCP/IP because the other technologies have all but disappeared. Within that frame work there are a number of vendors that sell solid products. All of the products at the LAN level will work well together. Should a company standardize on one vendor or have a variety of different vendors for its LAN. Will the same hold true for WAN technology.
3) How do organizational strategy, culture and policies affect planning and design of data communication systems? What are some systematic methods for planning and design?