What Is Network Design?
Network design, sometimes known as network topology, is the physical, virtual, and logical arrangement of infrastructure in an IT network.
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Why is network design important?
As networks become mission-critical for business functions, design decisions made by IT professionals can have far-reaching implications. A network with a well-planned design will perform better. It will be more secure and resilient and easier to troubleshoot, and it will scale easily and adapt to future technologies.
Is network design the same as network topology?
Whereas network design encompasses business processes and results, network topology refers to the design as viewed through network diagrams, often called topology maps. Ring, chain, tree, and mesh are a few types of network topology.
What is the process for creating network design?
A network diagram is typically the workhorse of the design process. It provides a visual representation of the network and integrates information such as physical connections; quantity, type, and location of all devices and endpoints; IP addressing; and security processes and architecture. Network design software can help by creating a site or office plan to map physical connections.
When building a network from scratch, the first step is to assemble a list of all the assets, endpoints, users, devices, LANs, and other network elements. IT teams enter this information in the network design application to create the first iteration of a network diagram.
When designing for existing network environments, the process integrates existing infrastructure that must be maintained or kept running during production and deployment of the new network. Existing use patterns and workflows can inform the new network hierarchies and topologies, which will evolve as security, product, and user experience teams collaborate on the design.
Network design best practices
Recognize the value of design
Designing networks that perform critical business functions needs to be a well-thought-out process—not one that is thrown together. Devoting appropriate time and resources to the design process will result in a network that is cost effective, easy to manage, and ready to grow.
Design for security
Network security should be built in during the early design stages, not bolted on later. If security is not factored into the design, incompatible security tools can affect network performance, user experience, and manageability.
Design for resilience
This process begins with creating a list of the resilience challenges that an organization faces—such as security incidents, network issues, or a sudden need to update applications or scale up or down. IT teams can use these scenarios to test the network design's ability to respond and adjust.
Design for scalability
Assess what sort of scaling the organization is likely to do, such as steadily adding customers or rapid upscaling and downscaling services to accommodate specific workflows. By following this process, IT teams can design networks to make scalability easier and more cost efficient.
Design for visibility
A network management system (NMS) can help provide visibility into the network, making it easier for IT teams to spot potential problems and monitor performance benchmarks.
Continue to design as network needs evolve
As a business grows and changes, so must its network. Users and customers come and go, applications evolve, and work habits change. A high-performing, cost-effective network design needs to be adjusted to accommodate these changes.
Design for sustainability
To design a network for sustainability, IT teams can implement a Global Energy Management and Sustainability (GEMS) system. Initiatives include lowering greenhouse gas emissions and implementing energy features to reduce global energy demand.
Features of network design solutions
The typical features in many network design tools include the following.
Network mapping
Network mapping is the interface used to visualize the physical and logical aspects of the network.
Site mapping
Site mapping is the visualization of an actual workspace. Site mapping helps to plan physical elements and cabling in more detail.
Templates
Most network design solutions come with templates of typical network topologies. Some solutions also include libraries of actual network elements that can be easily added to a design.
File export tools
Most design solution will allow designs to be exported as PDFs. Some solutions may also export designs in Microsoft Visio formats or specialized formats such as XAML.
Discovery
Some solutions have built-in discovery tools, meaning they will automatically inventory and diagram an existing network infrastructure.
Monitoring
Some network design solutions take discovery a step further and also monitor the network. This process can provide useful background information during the design stage.
Specialized topologies
To simplify complex enterprise networks, engineers frequently use segmenting, hierarchical topologies, and modular assembly methods that can be easily automated in production.
Flowcharts
Flowchart features enable IT teams to map not just networks or physical locations but also specified workflows. This process can help test a design's ability to handle the workflows.