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.
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