NETWORK ENGINEERING GUIDE
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT NETWORK ENGINEERING
A successful business starts with a successful network environment. In today’s connected world, your technology infrastructure is a key component that links your organization to the rest of the world. Network engineering lays the foundation for the computer network day-to-day operations that you rely on. Careful design, implementation, and maintenance of your infrastructure ensures a healthy and agile network so you can stay at the head of the curve. Learn everything you need to know about network engineering in this guide.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction – You Are Here!
Chapter 2: Your Network Infrastructure
Chapter 3: Key Aspects of Implementation
Chapter 4: Network Passive Equipment
Chapter 5: Network Active Devices
Chapter 7: Backup and Disaster Recovery
Chapter 8: How Your Devices Work Together
Chapter 9: A Closer Look at Important Choices
Chapter 10: Assessing Internet and Voice Needs
Chapter 11: Wi-Fi vs. Wired Internet
Chapter 13: Enterprise Devices
Chapter 14: Choosing an IT Service Provider
Chapter 15: Network Engineering Case Study – Multi-Site Network Upgrade for MSP Client
Chapter 17: Network Engineering Case Study – New Office Network Engineering Buildout
Your Network Infrastructure
You may not think about your network infrastructure often, but day in and day out it keeps your business functioning and your team connected. Network infrastructure is a must for every organization, whether you’re using cloud or on premise IT. Network infrastructure usually consists of Network Passive Equipment, Network Active Devices, and System Devices. It is important to make sure that all of these function as part of a comprehensive plan.
Network Passive Equipment can include network cables (copper and/or fiber), a patch panel, and a network cabinet or rack. It is very important to assess your needs in this area before continuing with additional equipment because without the proper design and groundwork your network will suffer and work will need to be redone.
Network Active Devices include switches, firewalls, routers, wireless access points (APs), and wireless controllers. These devices transfer all your data and communications, meaning they must be carefully designed and maintained to ensure the health of your IT environment.
Systems Devices include servers, storage, and backup. In an era where businesses have more data than ever, these pieces are key components of your infrastructure.
Key Aspects of Implementation
Implementing a robust and reliable network infrastructure is crucial to guarantee your business continuity. It’s important to choose a well-known and experienced IT service provider to implement and maintain network availability. A professional IT company will always follow the industry standards to implement networks with best practices using expert and certified engineers. Here are some things your provider should do in regards to network implementation.