How To Do A Network Assessment

Network Assessment Overview

A network assessment is conducted after we have finished the business and design requirements of the company. A network assessment provides a quick snapshot of the current network with an examination of the infrastructure, performance, availability, management and security. That information is utilized for making effective strategy recommendations and design proposals to the client concerning specific information systems modifications before implementing wireless network equipment.

Components

The current network is examined using 5 primary surveys: infrastructure, performance, availability, management and security. When the surveys are completed, the information collected is then reviewed for trends, problems and issues that are negatively affecting the network. The surveys are reviewed and compared with best practices, business requirements and design requirements. The results from the analysis are then utilized to develop specific recommendations that focus on design, equipment configuration, security and network management strategy improvements. As well the information is used to support the design process.

Specific Assessments

The assessment model describes all 5 assessments types defined with the network assessment. It starts with an infrastructure assessment, which is comprised of a corporate structure interview and a survey of the specific enterprise and office components. The corporate structure interview reviews current locations, number of users and office types. The enterprise survey examines common elements such as circuit maps, routing protocol design and Windows ADS. The office components survey examines campus, WAN, applications, and facilities for access, distribution and core offices.

When the infrastructure survey is finished, we then move on with a performance assessment, which identifies the types of traffic currently running on the network and current average and peak traffic loads. The network is tested at various campus and WAN segments for response time, utilization levels and errors. With that finished we focus on a network availability assessment. That is a survey of diversity, design, configuration and facilities to determine if they address the availability requirements of the company.

The management assessment reviews the current strategy being used to manage enterprise devices and servers. It is a review of seven primary management groups, applications, configuration and IOS services. Finally the security assessment examines perimeter, network, transaction and monitoring security, protocols and processes.

Infrastructure Assessment

Results from the current infrastructure assessment should be analyzed to determine potential issues with the current infrastructure.

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