Network Design
4-12
Workgroup Creation
Selecting Workgroup Technologies
The selection of a network technology at the workgroup level is a very important
decision, and one that should be made only after careful consideration and
evaluation. Before deciding on a network technology to be used by the
workgroups, make sure you are familiar with the operation of each type of
technology, the strengths and shortcomings of those technologies, and the special
design considerations that each technology imposes on the network. Chapter 3 is
a good place to go for initial information, but the text deliberately avoids
examining the technologies in great detail. For more detailed treatments of the
technologies, you may wish to refer to Chapters 5, 6, and 7. There are also several
texts on network technologies available through academic and technical
booksellers.
The selection of a workgroup technology is an analysis of functionality. It is the
job of the Network Manager or persons designing the network to determine
which factors of the network design are the foremost requirements.
The most common determining factors in selecting a network technology are
performance (speed of operation), reliability, ease of configuration,
troubleshooting, and cost. Cost is a separate issue from price, as cost is based on
the inherent expenses of the technology, whereas price is highly dependent upon
the vendor supplying the products and the quality of the products and service
associated with them.
Each of these factors in deciding upon a network technology are treated in
Chapter 3, Technology Basics.
This information is not intended to be the only guide for deciding upon a
networking technology. The selection of a technology determines the capabilities
and characteristics of the entire network, and is one of the most important and
long-term decisions you make when designing a network.
For this reason, once you feel you have selected a suitable technology, do further
research on that technology if you have any questions about its operation or the
means by which a network is created using that technology. Contact your
Cabletron Systems Sales Representative for information, or read any of the
technical books available on the subject matter.
Summary of Contents for MMAC-5FNB
Page 1: ...Cabletron Systems Networking Guide MMAC FNB Solutions ...
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Page 188: ...Expansion Ethernet 8 12 Port Assignment and Virtual LANs ...
Page 194: ...Expansion Token Ring 9 6 Port Assignment ...