To develop a reliable network design model, you need to evaluate different scenarios, predict possible failure points, and have solutions ready for any potential problems. When optimally designed, a network operates with greater efficiency, leading to greater customer satisfaction, better service delivery, and fewer logistical challenges that might affect bottom lines.

Bringing in outside help is the appealing, more convenient route for the less technically savvy. A reputable firm with a team of experts will have a predetermined network health checklist for any eventualities. But the ability to always call upon a team when network issues arise is difficult. Service interruptions due to downtimes are unacceptable when trying to maintain a competitive advantage. If you cannot have network personnel in your company, you can get a network service model (NaaS). A small team will consistently monitor and enhance your network through this arrangement. While effective, it is a recurrent expense that small businesses might not sustain.

If you were involved in the network design and implementation, you might be able to troubleshoot network problems.

Here is a checklist for your network design that will ensure minimal network interruptions:

• Coverage – Do you need extended coverage that traverses your current geography? Include a provision in the design to support extending the range in the near or far future. Ensure you address any coverage challenges such as tunnels or below ground-level areas.
• Redundancy – A critical component of any wireless design checklist, a failsafe network system always has a backup architecture that kicks in when the main one fails. The failure of one network switch or access point should not lead to service interruption.
• Network integration- How will the new wireless system marry into the existing networks and infrastructure. Are the frequencies supported? Ensure compatibility with new or existing carriers and define authentication measures to enforce.
• Power- Even in areas where the flow of electricity is uninterrupted, you must have a backup system to tolerate any power surges and prevent downtimes during extreme weather events. Evaluate the power loads you need and have sufficient UPS devices in place.
• Support- What is the primary purpose of your network service? The answer encapsulates the density of traffic and the bandwidth required.
• Capacity- How many users can a single access point support without degrading the loading speeds. Ensure you cover your anticipated peak rates to ensure proper performance when there is a flood of users.
• Protection- Environmental forces can harm your network components. Will you need gear designed to tolerate water and dust? Map out your installation points and only choose areas that will guarantee firmness.
• Security- Evaluate your highest security demands. Do you need encryptions for financial transactions, data protection, or something unique to your industry?
• Monitoring- You can only control what you can monitor. Define your monitoring requirements to detect breaches and downtimes to help you make decisions and plan.

This network design and maintenance checklist is a reliable guide for most network setups and facilitates manageability to keep things running optimally. Contact your network provider for insights on any step that proves complex.  

Techmenity is a leader in IoT installation for commercial, mixed-use, and bespoke residential projects. Call us today at 212-235-7011 for a no-obligation 30-min consultation.