Key Points
- Define Network Requirements: Identify network requirements based on organization size, performance needs, and scope.
- Choose Compatible Components: Select essential network devices, ensuring full compatibility across operating systems and applications.
- Select Network Topology: Choose a network topology based on performance, redundancy, and organizational needs.
- Map and Automate Connections: Create a detailed network map validated by specialists and enhanced with automation or AI-assisted discovery.
- Implement, Document, and Monitor: Deploy the network with an implementation plan, maintain IT documentation, and use continuous network monitoring.
- Prioritize Scalability and Zero Trust: Design with security-first principles while ensuring the network can scale and adapt as business needs grow.
What is network design?
Network design or network topology, is the process of planning and mapping out the infrastructure of an IT network. It requires identifying the various design requirements of the network and creating a plan that is both aligned with those requirements and can be successfully implemented. Network design is necessary because individual organizations will have unique requirements for their computer network.
A network provides a way for many computers to all be connected and exchange data with one another simultaneously. It allows members of organizations to quickly
- complete tasks,
- share information, and
- carry out any computing responsibilities that rely on a working network.
With that in mind, it’s important for each organization to ensure that their network design is suitable for their needs.
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How to design a network
Designing a functional network for your organization will lead to smoother computer tasks and efficient business operations. Here are five key steps for how to design a network:
1. Write down network design requirements
Each network may have slightly different requirements, which depend on the size of an organization and the operations that’ll be carried out using the network. Consider the network will serve users who are all on the same floor with a local area network (LAN), or span a couple of levels. The network might also need to reach across campus or even miles apart with a campus area network (CAN) or wide area network (WAN).
Additionally, consider whether your business needs to build a hybrid or multi-cloud network, which several organizations now adopt to support remote work, increase the agility of various operations, and enhance accessibility regardless of location.
2. Choose necessary devices
Determine the hardware and software that’ll be used within your network. A few standard network devices include
- network servers,
- a reliable internet connection,
- modems,
- routers,
- firewalls.
- cloud gateways, and
- centralized identity systems
Moreover, the types of computers that’ll be connecting to the network -along with- their operating systems, applications, and more affect on the network as a whole, so it’s important to choose components that are compatible with one another.
3. Decide the type of network topology
There are many types of network topology, so you should choose one that’ll meet the needs of the organization and allow operations to be effectively completed. Network topology types include, among others
- ring,
- star,
- bus,
- mesh, and
- tree
Whatever your network needs are, these types can be used or modified to help you reach your organization’s network standards.
4. Map out network connections
Draw the connections that’ll need to be made within your network. You’ll want to have a network specialist either review or map out the connections to ensure that it is successful and doesn’t lead to connectivity issues. Furthermore, consider using automation to not only determine and monitor these connections (via AI-assisted discovery) but also implement self-healing in your network after it’s been established.
5. Create a plan for successful network design implementation
Once the network design has been completed, begin preparing for implementing the design in your IT environment. A great network design can only go so far if it isn’t accompanied by proper execution. After the design has been implemented, you can use network monitoring tools to ensure your design functions well.
6 best practices for network design
As you consider and implement the steps to creating your organization’s network design, here are six best practices to remember:
1) Simplify
The best network designs have simple and straightforward connections, and everything in the design serves a specific purpose. Avoid adding unnecessary components to your network or making unnecessary connections. This will make it easier to set up, operate, and restore your network or any of its existing components if needed.
2) Secure
Install firewalls to protect your organization’s network. This firewall allows you to view and prevent traffic coming to and from your network on your various endpoints. Depending on the size of your organization, you may need a few firewalls in place (including but not limited to virtual, next-gen, and cloud firewalls).
Better yet, consider adopting a zero-trust architecture when building your network. Unlike a firewall, this skips the step of determining whether incoming traffic can harm your system because it embodies the principle of assuming every user, device, or application is untrusted until verified by the organization.
3) Document
Record your network design and store it in your IT documentation. Company SOPs and other instructions related to the setup and operation of your network should also be documented. If anything needs to be altered, or fixed, something goes wrong with your network, or your IT environment goes into full disaster recovery, you’ll have documentation to help you restore and operate your network.
4) Scale
As your business grows, you’ll want to have your network grow with it to accommodate the increasing needs of the company. Functionally design your network now so it has the ability to work well and also change and evolve in the future.
5) Monitor
Continually monitor your network to ensure that all devices are working properly. Active monitoring supports network uptime because it gives you clear visibility of what is operating efficiently and what might be lacking. If you can determine areas of weakness in your network design early on, you can fix those issues and update the design in your organization’s documentation.
6) Changes (as needed)
Just because a network design has been finalized doesn’t mean that it’s unalterable. If a certain aspect of your network design isn’t working as effectively as originally planned, analyze a few network design examples and make changes to your design.
Monitor every network metric, endpoint, and issue with comprehensive network visibility.
Set a solid foundation for your IT environment with network design
Designing a network is a crucial first step in creating a functional network for your organization. With the help of knowledgeable network experts combined with careful planning and preparation, a reliable network design can be created.
NinjaOne provides network management software so you can track activity and performance to ensure your network design is optimal for your organization.
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