Large-Scale IP Network Solutions (CCIE Professional Development)

Requirements and Constraints

Before delving into the typical topologies, it is wise to understand the overall network design process. As with any systems design effort, network design is an exercise in meeting new and old requirements while working within certain constraints. These constraints include money, labor, technology, space, and time. In addition, there may be social or political constraints, such as the mandated use of certain standards or vendors.

Economic constraints play a major role in any network design. Unless you are very fortunate, you often must compromise in the capacity of WAN links, the switching capabilities of routers, the type of interfaces used, and the level of redundancy achieved. Achieving the “best possible service ...