confirm client requirements

Confirm Client Requirements


This theory will cover the following:

• Identify Organisational Requirements


Identify Organisational Requirements


A prerequisite to good network design is to discuss the client’s networking needs, as this will enable you to analyse the various issues which the network needs to address.


To do this you will need to arrange several meetings with the client.


Initially these meetings will probably focus on fairly broad managerial type issues, but as you obtain more and more information about the client’s needs you can then arrange meetings to discuss specific issues.


Defining Business Objectives


You should start the analysis process by asking the client some questions about the desired functionality of the network, such as:


• What tasks would the client like to automate or make more efficient?

• What business applications does the client need to support?• Does the client simply want to have shared access to word

processing files, or do they have multi-user databases to support?

• Does the client require electronic mail and Internet, perhaps even a web server?


• Does the client require electronic mail and Internet, perhaps even a web server?

• Is the client planning to incorporate EFTPOS operations into the network?

• What is the estimated size of the network; how many users will the network service?

• How important is network security?• Does the client have an existing network, and what is its

function?


Once you have considered all the business tasks and functions the client requires, write them down and assign priorities to each item – this is the beginning of your network plan.


As you create the plan, consider which parts you can do now and which can be addressed later, taking care of critical business functions first.


The following points address some of the issues that should be included in the network plan:


1. Sizing the network

It is important to have a clear idea of the network’s expected size, taking in to consideration the number of users and the level of use.



Plan for future growth by building in extra capacity from the beginning.



Consider what capacity the client may need in two or three years and how an increase in the number of users will affect data storage needs.



A good network should be designed to grow easily with the careful addition of existing technology.


2. Follow a standard approach

It is important that you plan and build the network using standard industry-proven components.



As business relationships change, the network may need to interconnect with others.



It is therefore wise to design a network that is not likely to pose compatibility problems.



If you are designing a network for an independent branch of a larger organisations, obtain copies of current network operations and use these as your standard.


3. Connectivity

What types of external connections will the network need? Is Internet access necessary?


3. Connectivity

If so, will a dial-up connection suffice, or will you need a fill-time dedicated link?


3. Connectivity

Will the client require remote access for their staff?


3. Connectivity

One of the most challenging aspects of designing a network involves setting up links to external networks.


3. Connectivity

Not only are these the most technically complex tasks of implementing a network, but they also carry significant costs, that the client needs to be aware of from the very beginning.


3. Connectivity

Many organisations maintain a ‘web presence’ via the development of an Internet home page, allowing them to showcase their goods and services to the general public.


3. Connectivity

However, there is much more to the Internet than simply creating a home page.


3. Connectivity

It is important to make the client aware of the various Internet services available as well as the technical issues surrounding the implementation of those services.


3. Connectivity

You need to make sure that the client is well informed about the potential security issues involved in connecting their network to the Web.


3. Connectivity

The first question you should ask the client is what level of Internet access they require: do they want the use the Internet to promote their own business or to access information?


3. Connectivity

If the organisation simply wants to set up a home page to provide client information, then they may choose to contract an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a web designer to maintain their web presence, with little if any interruption to internal network services.


3. Connectivity

If the organisation decides that they would like their staff to have Internet access, to be able to send emails and browse the web, then the task becomes more difficult, and more costly.


4. Security

While the network operating system is responsible for maintain the overall security of the network, especially in terms of user access and authentication, the type of network hardware used can also have an impact on security.


4. Security

Consider the following hardware-related security risks:


4. Security

The nature of wireless networking means that a potential hacker does not need to have physical access to the network.


4. Security

Establishing a permanent Internet connection via ADSL potentially makes the network accessible to anybody connected to the Web.


4. Security

The risk may be minor, but it is important to make the client aware that a risk exists


4. Security

Of course there are also a number of hardware solutions that can be implemented to help minimize risk and improve security.


4. Security

For example• Using intelligent routers with built-in firewalls which offer a

higher level of security than those without• Using a switch or bridge to partition sensitive areas of a

network from public access areas


4. Security

The level of security required is going to depend on the type of information stored on a system.


4. Security

For example, a video store is going to have limited security requirements whereas a legal firm is going to have significant security requirements.


5. Interoperability

This refers to the hardware’s ability to communicate and interact with different hardware and operating systems.


5. Interoperability

When recommending new hardware you need to consider what type of hardware is already in use and make sure that the new component is compatible.


5. Interoperability

You should also consider what standards exist within the industry: if most other industries in this organisation use XYZ, and you advise the client to use ABC then you need to make sure that the two systems are compatible.


6. Ease of use

The hardware needs to be easy to use, especially for the end user.


6. Ease of use

In situations where the client requires ongoing administration access to the system, then the recommended hardware should come with an easy-to-use configuration interface, as well as good quality documentation.


7. Software compatibility

You need to know what software the client intends to run, both now and in the near future.


7. Software compatibility

Advising the client on a particular piece of hardware, only find that it does not support the client’s operating system or application software is embarrassing and can be extremely expensive.


8. Warranty

Most manufacturers offer some level of warranty on their hardware, but these can vary greatly not only from manufacturer to manufacturer but also from item to item.


8. Warranty

For example, some manufacturers have a ‘return to base warranty’ which means that if a hardware component fails, it needs to be couriered back to the manufacturer for inspection and repairs or replacement, and this can take several weeks.


9. Cost

Most clients will tell you that the most important requirement they have is cost and they are right.


9. Cost

However what many people fail to realize is that the cheapest option is not always the best, and what the client really needs is not the cheapest but the best value for money.


9. Cost

As an IT professional advising a client on network hardware it is your responsibility to ensure that the hardware you recommend offers the best value for money possible.


10. Existing Infrastructure

If a network already exists, then it is important to consider the existing infrastructure as it may limit what options are available. In order to do this you will need to meet with other technical staff as well as gain access to any existing network documentation.



Some of the issues you will need to address include:• Can any of the existing hardware be reused?• Will the new hardware be compatible with the existing

hardware?• Will the new hardware be compatible with the existing

software?



• What effect will the new hardware have on productivity?• Will the new hardware enable any new functions to be

undertaken (for example, video conferencing)?• How many users will benefit from the installation of the new

hardware?• How long will the new hardware take to install?



• What sort of disruption to existing services is likely during the installation of the new hardware?

Produced by Steven Cahill

[email protected]

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