© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 1Version 4.0

Prototyping the Campus Network

Designing and Supporting Computer Networks – Chapter 7

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 2

Objectives Describe the purpose for and procedures to build a

prototype of the network design

Create test plans to perform simulated or prototype test of important design elements

Perform proof-of-concept tests on LAN design elements

Identify risks and weaknesses in the design based on the proof-of-concept test conclusions

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 3

Describe the Purpose for and Procedures to Build a Prototype of the Network Design

Prototype network: a separate network built to replicate only the portion of a network necessary to test particular functions or capabilities

Pilot network: using a portion of an existing network to test a new functionality or capability

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 4

Describe the Purpose for and Procedures to Build a Prototype of the Network Design

Create a test plan before beginning the testing process

Create a test plan document containing descriptions of the design and topology, test procedures, and anticipated results

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 5

Describe the Purpose for and Procedures to Build a Prototype of the Network Design

Methods to verify that a design meets the identified business criteria:

Prototyping

Basic connectivity tests

Functionality testing

Checklists

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 6

Describe the Purpose for and Procedures to Build a Prototype of the Network Design

Tools and methods used to validate that the design is working as anticipated:

Cisco IOS commands

IP utilities and tools

Protocol analyzers

Network simulation tools

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 7

Describe the Purpose for and Procedures to Build a Prototype of the Network Design

Test the redundancy and resiliency of a specific network design:

Overcoming device and link failures

Redundant links

Load balancing

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 8

Describe the Purpose for and Procedures to Build a Prototype of the Network Design

Identify what represents a risk or weakness in the design

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 9

Prototype the Hierarchical Network, Routing Protocol, and IP Addressing Model

Identify goals and requirements met by LAN design:

Testing the new design

Determining what needs to be tested

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 10

Prototype the Hierarchical Network, Routing Protocol, and IP Addressing Model

Create the test plan:

List test outcomes that support business goals

Provide a checklist of success criteria

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 11

Prototype the Hierarchical Network, Routing Protocol, and IP Addressing Model

Develop methodologies for comparing devices and topologies

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 12

Prototype the Hierarchical Network, Routing Protocol, and IP Addressing Model

Develop methodologies for validating the choice of routing protocol

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 13

Prototype the Hierarchical Network, Routing Protocol, and IP Addressing Model

Apply and test an appropriate addressing scheme

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 14

Prototype the Hierarchical Network, Routing Protocol, and IP Addressing Model

Compare and analyze risks or weaknesses associated with choosing LAN devices, topologies, and addressing:

Lack of redundancy

Single ISP for Internet connectivity

Limited bandwidth areas

Limited fiber connectivity

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 15

Prototype the Server Farm, Including Security and High Availability

Identify the business goals and technical requirements supporting server relocation to a data center including a server farm.

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 16

Prototype the Server Farm, Including Security and High Availability

Create a success criteria checklist to support business goals and technical requirements for the server farm

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 17

Prototype the Server Farm, Including Security and High Availability

Develop methodologies for comparing devices and topologies:

Creating a baseline

LAN simulation with specific protocols (PVRST+)

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 18

Prototype the Server Farm, Including Security and High Availability

Prototype the server farm, validating security and availability:

Availability requirements

Multilayer security

Firewalls

ACL design

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 19

Prototype the Server Farm, Including Security and High Availability

Build and analyze the prototype of the LAN to ensure business goals and technical requirements have been met

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 20

Prototype the Server Farm, Including Security and High Availability

Compare and analyze the risks or weaknesses associated with choosing server farm devices, topologies, and addressing

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 21

Summary The decision to create a prototype or pilot network

depends on the type of testing required and the potential disruption to the existing network.

Before beginning any testing, a test plan should be developed.

Prototypes and simulations can be used to identify risks and areas of weakness in the network design.

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 22