SCSA1502-COMPUTER NETWORKS AND

DESIGN

UNIT I
FUNDAMENTALS OF NETWORK DESIGN

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 COURSE OBJECTIVE’S

❑ To recognize the principles of the big picture of

computer networks.
❑ To understand the networking environment.
❑ To know the importance of VPNs.
❑ To convey the availability of tools and techniques for
networking.
❑ To discuss about evolving technologies in networks.

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 COURSE OUTCOME

❖ CO1 - Understand the principles of networks.

❖ CO2 - Interpret LAN concepts and design.
❖ CO3 - Gain knowledge in evolving technologies.
❖ CO4 - Clearly outline the logic behind VPNs.
❖ CO5 - Know the importance of tools and techniques in building a
network.
❖ CO6 - Understand the underlying working concepts of a real-time
network.

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 SCSA1502- COMPUTER NETWORKS &
DESIGN
SYLLABUS

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 SCSA1502- COMPUTER NETWORKS &
DESIGN
TEXT/ REFERENCE BOOKS
• 1. Gil Held, “Network Design: Principles and Applications (Best Practices)”,
Auerbach Publications, 1st edition, 2000.

• 2. Diane Tiare and Catherine Paquet, “Campus Network Design Fundamentals”,

Pearson Education, 1st edition, 2006.

• 3. Larry L. Peterson, Bruce S. Davie, “Computer Networks: A Systems Approach”,

Morgan Kaufmann Publishers Inc., 5th edition, 2012.

• 4. William Stallings, “Data and Computer Communications”, Pearson Education,

8th edition, 2016.

• 5. James F. Kurose, Keith W. Ross, “Computer Networking - A Top-Down Approach

Featuring the Internet”, Pearson Education, 6th edition, 2012.

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 UNIT 1
FUNDAMENTALS OF NETWORK DESIGN

Design Principles - Determining Requirements - Analyzing

the Existing Network - Preparing the Preliminary Design -
Completing the Final Design Development - Deploying the
Network - Monitoring and Redesigning – Maintaining -
Design Documentation - Modular Network Design -
Hierarchical Network Design.

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 NETWORK DESIGN CONCEPTS
What is the design methodology used by
network designers?
➢ Network designers ensure that our communications networks can
adjust and scale to the demands for new services.
➢ To support our network-based economy, designers must work to
create networks that are available nearly 100 percent of the time.
➢ Information network security must be designed to automatically fend
off unexpected security incidents.
➢ Using hierarchical network design principles and an organized design
methodology, designers create networks that are both manageable
and supportable

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 NETWORK DESIGN CONCEPTS

General Design Aspect

Network Design – Ongoing Process

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 NETWORK DESIGN BASICS
➢ Basics of network design :

■ Network design overview

■ The benefits of a hierarchical network design

■ Network design methodology

Network Design Overview

Computers and information networks are critical to the success of
businesses, both large and small. They connect people, support
applications and services, and provide access to the resources that keep
the businesses running. To meet the daily requirements of businesses,
networks themselves are becoming quite complex.

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 NETWORK REQUIREMENTS

➢ Today, the Internet-based economy often demands around-the-clock

customer service. This means that business networks must be
available nearly 100 percent of the time.

➢ They must be smart enough to automatically protect against

unexpected security incidents.

➢ These business networks must also be able to adjust to changing

traffic loads to maintain consistent application response times.

➢ It is no longer practical to construct networks by connecting many

standalone components without careful planning and design.

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 NETWORK REQUIREMENTS
Technical Requirements:
➢ Applications that are to run on the network

➢ Internet connections required

➢ Addressing restrictions, for example, the use of private Internet

Protocol (IP) version 4 (IPv4) addresses

➢ Support for IP version 6 (IPv6) addresses

➢ Other protocols that are to run on the network (for example, routing
protocols)

➢ Cabling requirements

➢ Redundancy requirements

➢ Use of proprietary equipment and protocols

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 NETWORK REQUIREMENTS

Technical Requirements: - continued

➢ Existing equipment that must be supported

➢ Network services required, including quality of service (QoS) and

wireless

➢ How security is to be integrated into the network

➢ Network solutions required (for example, voice traffic, content

networking, and storage networking)

➢ Network management

➢ Support for existing applications while new ones are being phased in

➢ Bandwidth availability .

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 NETWORK REQUIREMENTS
Requirements Related to Business Issues

➢ Budget- Capital (for new equipment) and operating (for ongoing expenses).
➢ Schedule - This could include the phasing out of older applications, hiring of new
personnel, and so forth.

➢ People - Considerations include who will install and operate the network, what skills
they have, whether they require training, whether any of these tasks will be
outsourced, and so forth.

➢ Legal Issues include any restrictions on the use and storage of data collected

➢ History Factors include examining the existing network's structure and determining
whether any person or group will block changes or additions.

➢ Policies Consider whether current organizational policies might restrict the network
design.

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 BUILDING A GOOD NETWORK
. Good networks do not happen by accident. They are the result of hard work
by network designers and technicians, who identify network requirements and
select the best solutions to meet the needs of a business.

The steps required to design a good network are as follows:

Step 1. Verify the business goals and technical requirements.

Step 2. Determine the features and functions required to meet the needs
identified in Step 1.

Step 3. Perform a network-readiness assessment.

Step 4. Create a solution and site acceptance test plan.

Step 5. Create a project plan.

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 BUILDING A GOOD NETWORK (contd)

➢ After the network requirements have been identified, the steps to

designing a good network are followed as the project
implementation moves forward.

➢ Network users generally do not think in terms of the complexity of

the underlying network. They think of the network as a way to
access the applications they need, when they need them.

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 NETWORK REQUIREMENTS
➢ . Most businesses actually have only a few requirements for their
network:

■ The network should stay up all the time, even in the event of
failed links, equipment failure, and overloaded conditions.

■ The network should reliably deliver applications and provide

reasonable response times from any host to any host.

■ The network should be secure. It should protect the data that is

transmitted over it and data stored on the devices that connect to it.

■ The network should be easy to modify to adapt to network

growth and general business changes.

■ Because failures occasionally occur, troubleshooting should be

easy. Finding and fixing a problem should not be too time-consuming.

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 FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN GOALS
➢ When examined carefully, these requirements translate into four fundamental
network design goals:

■ Scalability: Scalable network designs can grow to include new user

groups and remote sites and can support new applications without impacting the
level of service delivered to existing users.

■ Availability: A network designed for availability is one that delivers

consistent, reliable perform- ance, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition,
the failure of a single link or piece of equipment should not significantly impact
network performance.

■ Security: Security is a feature that must be designed into the network,

not added on after the net- work is complete. Planning the location of security
devices, filters, and firewall features is critical to safeguarding network resources.

■ Manageability: No matter how good the initial network design is, the
available network staff must be able to manage and support the network. A
network that is too complex or difficult to maintain cannot function effectively and
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efficiently.
 DESIGN PRINCIPLES
(CISCO)

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 DESIGN PRINCIPLES

➢ A network engineer should understand the requirements for the

network, as well as knowing the existing network is structured and
used, is the key understanding how the new or updated network
should functions and which features should be included.
Ex: CISCO has developed the Plan Design-Implement-Operate-
Optimize (PDIOO) network
➢ Plan Phase: The detailed network requirements are identified, and the
existing network is reviewed.
➢ Design Phase: The Network is designed according to the initial
requirements and additional data gathered during analysis of the
existing network. The design is refined with the client.

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 DESIGN PRINCIPLES (CISCO)

➢ Implement Phase: The Network is built according to the approved

design.
➢ Operate Phase: The network is operational and is being monitored.
This phase is the ultimate phase of design.
➢ Optimize Phase: The issues are detected and corrected, Before or
after the problem arises or failure has occurred. Redesign may be
considered is too many problems arises.
➢ Retirement Phase: This phase is necessary when part of the network
is outdated or is no longer required.

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 DESIGN PRINCIPLES (CISCO)

• It defines the
all necessary
phases of a
Network’s Life
style

PDIOO Life Cycle Diagram

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 Benefit’s of PDIOO Cycle(CISCO)

The major Benefit’s of following PDIOO Cycle are:

➢ Lowering the total cost of network ownership
➢ Increasing network availability
➢ Improving business agility
➢ Speeding access to applications and services

❖ PDIOO also Keeps the design process optimized and Organized

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 Benefit’s of PDIOO Cycle(CISCO)

❑ A proper network lifecycle helps in lowering costs thereby

providing a better economy for the organization by these
actions:

• Identifying and validating technology requirements

• Planning for infrastructure changes and resource
requirements
• Developing a sound network design aligned with technical
requirements and business goals
• Accelerating successful implementation
• Improving the efficiency of your network and of the staff
supporting it
• Reducing operating expenses by improving the efficiency of
operational processes and tools

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 Benefit’s of PDIOO Cycle(CISCO)
❑ Network availability has always been a top priority of
enterprises. However, network downtime can result in a
loss of revenue
The network lifecycle PDIOO improves the high availability of
networks by these actions:
• Assessing the network's security state and its capability to support
the proposed design
• Specifying the correct set of hardware and software releases, and
keeping them operational and current
• Producing a sound operations design and validating network
operations
• Staging and testing the proposed system before deployment
• Improving staff skills
• Proactively monitoring the system and assessing availability trends
and alerts
• Proactively identifying security breaches and defining remediation
plans
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 Benefit’s of PDIOO Cycle(CISCO)
❑ Business Agility (Quick Reaction to changes in Business
Economy) can be increased by:

✓ Establishing business requirements and technology

strategies
✓ Readying sites to support the system that you want to
implement
✓ Integrating technical requirements and business goals
into a detailed design and demonstrating that the
network is functioning as specified
✓ Expertly installing, configuring, and integrating system
components
✓ Continually enhancing performance

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 NETWORK DESIGN

Network design should include the following task (According

to CISCO)
➢ Determine the requirements
➢ Analyze the existing network if one exists
➢ Prepare the preliminary design
➢ Deploy the network
➢ monitor and redesign if necessary
➢ Maintain documentation (as the part of all task)

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 NETWORK DESIGN (CISCO

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 NETWORK DESIGN
Implementation Components
Implementation of a network design consists of several phases
(install hardware, configure systems, launch into production, and
so on).
➢ Each phase consists of several steps, and each step should
contain, but be not limited to, the following documentation:
❖ Description of the step
❖ Reference to design documents
❖ Detailed implementation guidelines
❖ Detailed roll-back guidelines in case of failure
❖ Estimated time needed for implementation

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 NETWORK DESIGN
Analysing the Existing Network

Existing Network system auditing sources

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 NETWORK DESIGN
Analysing the Existing Network
❖ The second step of the design methodology is characterizing
the existing network and sites
The following sections present insights into the process of
examining an existing network and sites and describe the tools
used to gather the data, assess the network, and analyze the
network.
❑ Customer input: Review existing documentation about the
network, and use verbal input from the customer to obtain a
first impression about the network
❑ Network audit: Perform a network audit, also called
an assessment, which reveals details of the network and
augments the customer’s description
❑ Traffic analysis: If possible, use traffic analysis to provide
information about the applications and protocols used and to
reveal any shortcomings in the network.
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 NETWORK DESIGN
Analysing the Existing Network
❑ Customer input: includes all pertinent network and site
documentation. Some items the designer could request,
depending on the scope of the project, include the following:
• Site contact information (especially needed if remote
deployments are planned)
• Existing network infrastructure (from physical diagrams
and documents, and site surveys as needed), including
the following:
✓ Locations and types of servers, Locations and types
of network devices
✓ Cabling that is currently in place
✓ Environmental controls, including heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning requirements, and
filtration
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 NETWORK DESIGN
Analysing the Existing Network
❑ Customer input:- continued
• Existing network infrastructure from logical topology diagrams,
routing protocols in use, and the infrastructure services
supported, such as voice, storage, and wireless services
• Network topology: Includes devices, physical and logical links,
external connections, bandwidth of connections, frame types
(data link encapsulations), IP addressing, routing protocols, and
so forth.
• Network services: Includes security, QoS, high availability, voice,
storage, wireless, and so forth.
• Network applications: Examples include unified messaging and
video delivery

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 Analysing the Existing Network
Auditing or Assessing the Existing
Network
➢ The Second important step is network audit or assessment
➢ It is used to collect information about an existing network
An audit provides details such as :
❖ A list of network devices
❖ Hardware specifications and versions, and software
versions of network devices
❖ Configurations of network devices
❖ Output of various auditing tools to verify and augment the
existing documentation
❖ Link, CPU, and memory utilization of network devices
❖ A list of unused ports, modules, and slots in network
devices, (to be used to understand whether the network is
expandable )
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 NETWORK DESIGN
Preparing the Preliminary Design

➢ Preliminary design involves considering all the network

requirements and constraints (including the budget), and
determining viable alternative solutions.
➢ The network owner consulted, and together an optimal
solution is chosen
➢ This solution is later developed into the final design

Both the preliminary design and final design are done Using
PDIOO

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 NETWORK DESIGN
Preparing the Preliminary Design
Following a design methodology can have many advantages:
• It ensures that no step is missed when the process is
followed
• It provides a framework for the design process
deliverables
• It encourages consistency in the creative process,
enabling network designers to set appropriate deadlines
and maintain customer and manager satisfaction.
• It allows customers and managers to validate that the
designers have thought about how to meet their
requirements
Preliminary Design Step involves in the preparation of
detailed Documentation of the network
It is achieved by collecting information from customer, inspecting the
site , and accessing the network using Automated Tools
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 NETWORK DESIGN
Preparing the Preliminary Design
Different Approaches:
1. Top Down Approach:
A top-down approach to network design means that
requirements are considered first, with the applications and
network solutions that will run on the network driving the design

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 NETWORK DESIGN
Preparing the Preliminary Design
Different Approaches:

2. Bottom- Up Approach:
A bottom-up approach would first select devices, features,
cabling, and so on, and then try to fit the applications onto this
network
Issues in Bottom-Up Approach
A bottom-up approach can lead to redesign if the
applications are not accommodated properly.
This approach can also result in increased costs by
including features or devices that are not required

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 NETWORK DESIGN
Preparing the Preliminary Design
Different Approaches:

2. Bottom- Up Approach:
A bottom-up approach
would first select devices, features,
cabling, and so on, and then try to
fit the applications onto this
network
Issues in Bottom-Up Approach
A bottom-up approach can
lead to redesign if the applications are
not accommodated properly.
This approach can also result in
increased costs by including features or
devices that are not required
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 NETWORK DESIGN
Completing the Final Design
Development
❖ During the final design stage the detailed architectural and
engineering drawings (the blueprints) of all physical
components of the Network components are produced.
❖ In some complex projects, it is necessary to prepare in addition
a written final design report.
❖ Sufficient detail must be provided by the drawings and the
report should have reasonably accurate estimates involved in
the process.
❖ All revisions to materials, equipment specifications are made.
The updated schedule, cost estimates and specifications should
be available in the final design report.
It is essential to verify at the final design stage that the plan
remains economically feasible. If, by some chance it is not,
then a decision must be made to revise design solutions or
the original concepts, or perhaps terminate the project
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 Network Design
Deploying the Network
❖ Deployment of the network must start with a plan and a schedule.
❖ Deployment planning starts in the PDIOO Design phase and
continues into the Implement phase
❖ It contains – What to be done? / How to be Done?
❖ Contingency plans, that is, plans for what happens if a problem
occurs during the implementation, should also be included
❖ Any training required for personnel should be planned during this time
❖ Any contracts required should be negotiated during this time.
Examples include outsourcing, Internet connectivity, maintenance etc.

If all the above said points are in place the we can proceed with the
implementation of the network
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 Network Design
Monitoring and Redesigning Phase:

➢ After the network is operating, baseline operational statistics

should be gathered so that working status can be identified
➢ The network should then be monitored for anomalies and
problems.
➢ If problems occurs, or if requirements change or are added,
then appropriate design changes must be made and the
entire design process should be repeated for that portion of
the network.
Note:
Monitoring and redesign take place in the PDIOO Operate and
Optimize phases, and can lead back into the Plan and Design
phases.

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 Network Design
Maintaining Design Documentation :
➢ The design should be documented throughout the process.
Documentation should include the following items:
• All the agreed-to requirements and constraints
• The state of the existing network, if any
• Preliminary design options and a brief review of why the
final design was chosen
• Final design details
• Results of any pilot or prototype testing
• Deployment plans, schedules, and other implementation
details
• Monitoring requirements
• Any other pertinent information

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 Modular Network Design
.
❑ A module is a component of a composite structure
❑ Modular network design involves creating modules that
can then be put together to meet the requirements of
the entire network.
A modular design for a network has many benefits, such as:
• It is easier to understand and design smaller, simpler
modules rather than an entire network
• It is easier to troubleshoot smaller elements compared
to the entire network
• The reuse of blocks saves design time and effort, as well
as implementation time and effort
• The reuse of blocks allows the network to grow more
easily, providing network scalability
• It is easier to change modules rather than the entire
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 HIERARCHICAL NETWORK DESIGN
Benefits of a Hierarchical Network Design

➢ To meet the four fundamental design goals, a network must be built on an

architecture that allows for both flexibility and growth.

Hierarchical Network Design

➢ In networking, a hierarchical design is used to group devices into multiple

networks. The networks are organized in a layered approach. The
hierarchical design model has three basic layers:

■ Core layer: Connects distribution layer devices

■ Distribution layer: Interconnects the smaller local networks

■ Access layer: Provides connectivity for network hosts and end

devices

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 HIERARCHICAL NETWORK DESIGN (contd)

➢ Hierarchical networks have advantages over flat network designs.

The benefit of dividing a flat network into smaller, more manageable
hierarchical blocks is that local traffic remains local.

➢ Only traffic destined for other networks is moved to a higher layer.

➢ Layer 2 devices in a flat network provide little opportunity to control

broadcasts or to filter undesirable traffic.

➢ As more devices and applications are added to a flat network,

response times degrade until the network becomes unusable.

➢ The following figures show the advantages of a hierarchical network

design versus a flat network design.

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 HIERARCHICAL NETWORK DESIGN (contd)
➢ Figures Flat Network shows the advantages of a hierarchical network
design versus a flat network design.

Flat Network
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 HIERARCHICAL NETWORK DESIGN (contd)
➢ Figures Hierarchical Networkshows the advantages of a hierarchical
network design versus a flat network design.

Hierarchical Network
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 NETWORK DESIGN METHODOLOGIES
Large network design projects are normally divided into three distinct
steps: Step 1. Identify the network requirements.

➢ Step 2. Characterize the existing network.

➢ Step 3. Design the network topology and solutions.

Step 1: Identifying Network Requirements

➢ The network designer works closely with the customer to document
the goals of the project. Following figure depicts a meeting between
the designer and the business owner. Goals are usually separated
into two categories:

■ Business goals: Focus on how the network can make the

business more successful

■ Technical requirements: Focus on how the technology is

implemented within the network
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 NETWORK DESIGN METHODOLOGIES)
■

A common mistake made by network designers is the failure to correctly

determine the scope of the network design project
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Step 2: Characterizing the Existing Network
Information about the current network and services is gathered and
analyzed. It is necessary to compare the functionality of the existing network
with the defined goals of the new project. The designer determines whether
any existing equipment, infrastructure, and protocols can be reused, and
what new equipment and protocols are needed to complete the design.

Step 3: Designing the Network Topology

A common strategy for network design is to take a top-down approach. In
this approach, the network applications and service requirements are
identified, and then the network is designed to support them.

When the design is complete, a prototype or proof-of-concept test is

performed. This approach ensures that the new design functions as
expected before it is implemented.
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 Determining the Scope of the Project
➢ While gathering requirements, the designer identifies the issues that
affect the entire network and those that affect only specific portions.

➢ By creating a topology similar to following Figure the designer can

isolate areas of concern and identify the scope of the project.

➢ Failure to understand the impact of a particular requirement often

causes a project scope to expand beyond the original estimate.

➢ This oversight can greatly increase the cost and time required to
implement the new design.

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 Determining the Scope of the Project

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 IMPACTING THE ENTIRE NETWORK

➢ Network requirements that impact the entire network include the

following:

■ Adding new network applications and making major changes to

existing applications, such as database or Domain Name System (DNS)
structure changes

■ Improving the efficiency of network addressing or routing

protocol changes

■ Integrating new security measures

■ Adding new network services, such as voice traffic, content

networking, and storage networking

■ Relocating servers to a data center server farm

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 IMPACTING A PORTION OF THE NETWORK

➢ Requirements that may only affect a portion of the network include

the following:

■ Improving Internet connectivity and adding bandwidth

■ Updating access layer LAN cabling

■ Providing redundancy for key services

■ Supporting wireless access in defined areas

■ Upgrading WAN bandwidth

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 THANK YOU

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