Project Scenario: You have been contracted by a client to examine their network infrastructure and procedures and suggest improvements?. They have just implemented a new high-availability information system which requires high-speed connections between their onsite database servers and storage area networks (SANs). The client has provided you with an accurate network diagram of their network infrastructure. Your initial meeting with the client's management team reveals the following observations:
- Management stresses that the network MUST be a highly-available environment. They cannot tolerate downtime due to hardware, cable, or NIC failure.
- Some performance testing by the information system vendor has shown that the network connection with one of the SANs in particular has been poor. The client is concerned that the SAN needs replaced. They ask specifically that you investigate the network configuration to see if you can identify any problems.
- The information system vendor insists that there should be at least a 3-Gbps connection between the SANs and database servers for optimal performance
- Management reports that the internet connection between the 100-PC office has been sluggish and inconsistent. Users report getting frequently kicked out of the new information system and the internet. Users are getting increasingly frustrated. The previous network administrator recently replaced the CAT 5 cable between the office and core switch which did not resolve the issues. Management this connection to be redundant as well.
- Because of the importance of this system to the company, money is no object.
- The client believes that previous network teams for the company have not been proactive in preventing issues. They would like a list of at least 5 policies or procedures that the network team can use to help ensure that any problems with the network are detected early, and resolved quickly.
The client wants any redesign to include the necessary network changes to fulfill all of the above requirements and no more. They request the following deliverables after your research is completed:
A new? network diagram? with the suggested changed included.
A typed ?(4 page)? report including the following:
A detailed list of each suggested change to the network and the specific reason for the change.
A list of the new policies and procedures for the network team.