The amount of bandwidth modern applications requires these days are massive. So, when planning a network infrastructure overhaul the first step you need to take is to access the level of use your organization needs. Your upgrade isn’t just about satisfying your bandwidth needs for today, but the foreseeable future as well.
As a company, your objective should be to build networks with your focus on the forecastable future. Deploy an infrastructure that scales to your needs while delivering a backbone to your list of enterprise applications.
Upgrading your company’s entire network is by no means a simple undertaking. The fact that it impacts every aspect of your IT infrastructure, the entirety of business operations, and your staff. From server admin to the end-user, every person connected to the network is likely to be affected by the disruption this upgrade will cause compared to routine maintenance. For this very reason, it is highly critical that a plan be put together in place to follow standard practices for every such upgrade.
Whether you’re replacing an outdated wireless network, putting in new network switches or applying the latest infrastructure equipment in the data centre. Make sure you:
Inform your End Users
The key to a successful network upgrade is keeping your end-user in the loop. Communication is key because everyone affected by the upgrade must receive the necessary details. Understanding how your employees use the network to perform their specific duties will make explaining to them how the upgrade will impact them much easier.
Make security a priority during the upgrade process
During the implementation of the upgrade, consult your security team and get them to integrate proper security protocols at every stage of the process. Often in the haste of setting up the systems quickly, it can be rather tempting to forego the security measures. These shortcuts more often than not lead to your system having massive security loopholes that can be exploited or even worse can be quite difficult to fix retroactively. Ensure you layer your new network upgrades with the best security practices and avoid a considerable hassle in the future.
Train IT Support Staff
The people who design and deploy your network architecture upgrade will usually not be the ones who will support and maintain it once it’s up and running. This is the case when working with a larger organization or when hiring 3rd party contractors to get the job done. Ensure your internal support staff knows the ins and outs of the entire structure and are trained to handle any possible contingency. This aspect is perhaps the most critical for the longevity of the investment you’re making in your network.
A to Z Documentation
Another step that holds immense importance to the continued success of a network, yet often ignored, is articulate documentation of the architecture you’re putting in place. The document should include how the technology works, how to maintain it once it’s up and running, and how to add and remove services to meet your needs on an ongoing basis. This documentation should be updated and reviewed regularly so the support staff can have a frame of reference. This would come in handy should you further upgrade or integrate new technology into your network.
To sum it up these practices should be used for your network upgrade project to upgrade a network successfully. Whether your company is expanding to the cloud or strengthening its existing infrastructure to handle more traffic, DS total solutions can provide the expertise required for any infrastructure upgrade.