Survey
The first step taken by DSS as a Network Solution Provider in making recommendations for improvement on the network and host performance is to conduct a site survey. In carrying out this survey, it will determine the nature of the recommendations and solution to be made.
Cisco certified engineers will undertake the following steps in carrying this out:
Inventory Management:
A detailed study of the exiting LAN infrastructure in detail which will include the following:
- Topology of existing LAN/WAN
- Physical and data links inventory
- Produce inventory of equipment in specific segments with details such as:
IT assets with model numbers, locations etc, Network Operating System, server locations etc.
- Firmware / Hardware with version particulars
- Server locations with Network Card capacity, model, OS etc. particulars
- Capture utilization of IP Address in various network segments
- IP and Non-IP based application software in use
DSS may utilise the map as reference for the other activities of the services and should plot a network map with the inventory audit details.
Network Performance Audit (Benchmarking & Evaluation)
Hardware and software tools will be used by DSS engineers to track a variety of network statistics (e.g. collisions, errors, retransmissions etc.). The following areas will be examined in this audit:
- Network layer protocols
- Segment statistics like errors, collisions, bandwidth utilisation etc.
- Application response – time analysis which involves measuring and reporting on areas such as:
- Traffic levels on the LAN/WAN
- Identify top user on the LAN/WAN
- LAN/WAN resources utilisation by applications
- Routing Protocols analysis and fine-tuning
- Network segment utilization details in real time and trend over the observed period)
- Summary of protocol trend with details on IP based distribution / Other protocol distribution
- Broadcast / Multicast storm
- RAW Packet capture and packet analysis
In addition, DSS will scan critical network service servers. The scanning will primarily be done to identify performance of resources, low availability, information loss or any disastrous consequences, including bottlenecks which may cause potential risk for the existing IT infrastructure and operations. This scanning will cover, but is not limited to the following:
- CPU Utilisation
- Memory utilisation
- Disk capacity utilisation
- Cache Utilisation
- DISK/IO Utilisation
- Network Utilisation
- Optimisation/Upgrade of Infrastructure
DSS will provide recommendations for improvement related to the identified grey areas in the network and host performance audit. These recommendations will generally be around the following areas:
- The state of the LAN topology
- The levels of traffic and health of the LAN segment (physical and data link layer)
- Network congestion level, symptoms and problems
- Anti-viruses, Security and Intrusion Detection methods and deployments
- The overall LAN / WAN readiness for future growth and application
- Internet connectivity structure
- Domain based Network architecture and feasibility of its deployment
- Requirement of Network Management, Monitoring, Security Tools (if any)
- Health and operation guidelines for the network
Recommendations should be made keeping in view the following:
- The suggested hardware / software should be sufficient to handle network traffic / load requirements for next 7 years
- Increase in network traffic will be approximately (Business case will dictate this)
Deliverables:
A. Suggestion for reorganisation of LAN infrastructure to gain performance
B. Validate current LAN infrastructure, placement/installation, suggest necessary change, if required
C. Fine tuning of the network parameters, possible within current infrastructure without requiring any additional hardware/software/cable route change
D. Network expansion recommendations will cover the following:
- Full justification for up gradation and replacement
- Utilisation of existing hardware/software/LAN-ware
The report shall be including the deliverables as mentioned in section a to d above and shall be prepared as per the following details:
- Executive summary
- Detailed architecture incorporating the improvement suggestions
- Roadmap for IT infrastructure expansion
- Proposed hardware infrastructure
- A bullet point presentation covering the above areas.
- Suggestion for additional / upgrade of Layer- 2, Layer – 3 if any, servers if any etc.
- Verify the redundancy, self healing architecture of the Network
- Monitoring of the Network