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The Role of the Workgroup 5-9
Network Design
Selecting Workgroup Technologies
The selection of a network technology at the workgroup level is a very important
decision, and one that should be made only after careful consideration and
evaluation. Before deciding on a network technology to be used by the
workgroups, make sure you are familiar with the operation of each type of
technology, the strengths and shortcomings of those technologies, and the special
design considerations that each technology imposes on the network. Chapter 2 is
a good place to go for initial information, but the text deliberately avoids
examining the technologies in great detail. For more detailed treatments of the
technologies, refer to the Cabletron Networking Guide - MMAC-FNB Solutions or
any of the Cabletron Systems Technology Overviews. There are also several texts on
network technologies available through academic and technical booksellers.
The selection of a workgroup technology is an analysis of functionality. It is the
job of the Network Manager or persons designing the network to determine
which factors of the network design are the foremost requirements.
The most common determining factors in selecting a network technology are
performance (speed of operation), reliability, ease of configuration,
troubleshooting, and cost. Cost is a separate issue from price, as cost is based on
the inherent expenses of the technology, whereas price is highly dependent upon
the vendor supplying the products and the quality of the products and service
associated with them.
This information is not intended to be the only guide for deciding upon a
networking technology. The selection of a technology determines the capabilities
and characteristics of the entire network, and is one of the most important and
long-term decisions that you make when designing a network.
For this reason, once you feel that you have selected a suitable technology, do
further research on that technology if you have any questions about its operation
or the means by which a network is created using that technology. Contact your
Cabletron Systems Sales Representative for information, or read any of the
technical books available on the subject matter.