polaris101
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Network design best practices
Hi Experts. Our business is currently expanding and we will be obtaining additional space in our office building. We're obtaining one suite above and an additional one across from the existing main office. We will have 2 separate networks. One for data and another for voice (VoIP).
What are the best practices as far as running the cables in this situation ? Although more expensive, is my best bet home runs from each new port/face plate to the patch panel ? OR have a switch in each of the new suites and run one or two back to the switch. This is an older building and the existing wiring looks sloppy. Although not a major concern I have to keep in mind the possibility of interference. Thanks for any tips and advice here.
What are the best practices as far as running the cables in this situation ? Although more expensive, is my best bet home runs from each new port/face plate to the patch panel ? OR have a switch in each of the new suites and run one or two back to the switch. This is an older building and the existing wiring looks sloppy. Although not a major concern I have to keep in mind the possibility of interference. Thanks for any tips and advice here.
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Two physical networks guarantees that things do not crossover, even though VLANs can work as well. In your case, I would install a switch in the upstairs suite and run enough cable to link the switch in that suite to the switch in the existing. In the one across from the current office, home run works well. I believe in maintaining separate patch panels on each floor, as well as separate for voice and data, even if VOIP is in use. Keeps things more organized and flexible for changes.
Yes two physical networks do prevent things do not cross over.
However the biggest reason for VOIP is to cut down on the networking costs. If you have two separate networks for data and voice you don't save money. On top of that you don't have the option of using soft phones.
So although you can have separate networks for data and VIOP, you don't get the major cost savings that VIOP is supposed to give you. This is why VIOP phones come with switches built into them and support for VLANs.
If you have separate networks, you might as well stick with the old phone system.
However the biggest reason for VOIP is to cut down on the networking costs. If you have two separate networks for data and voice you don't save money. On top of that you don't have the option of using soft phones.
So although you can have separate networks for data and VIOP, you don't get the major cost savings that VIOP is supposed to give you. This is why VIOP phones come with switches built into them and support for VLANs.
If you have separate networks, you might as well stick with the old phone system.
Networking
Networking is the process of connecting computing devices, peripherals and terminals together through a system that uses wiring, cabling or radio waves that enable their users to communicate, share information and interact over distances. Often associated are issues regarding operating systems, hardware and equipment, cloud and virtual networking, protocols, architecture, storage and management.
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Also, if you are not properly stacking (true stacking interfaces) your switches, then there is not much need to bring all the switches together except from the physical security standpoint. If you're concerned about bandwidth, consider LAGs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_aggregation) to provide more bandwidth to the switch at the other end.