In our last post, we explained why a network upgrade is the inevitable consequence of digital transformation. Cloud computing, mobility and analytics solutions are increasing the strain on already overburdened networks. Legacy network architectures simply aren’t capable of handling today’s bandwidth demands, creating bottlenecks that negatively impact application performance and the user experience.
As a result, many organizations are looking to increase their “pipes” from 1 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 10GbE to 25GbE, 40GbE or even 100GbE. In addition to increasing bandwidth, a network upgrade affords an opportunity to re-architect the environment with an eye toward reducing complexity and enhancing security and regulatory compliance.
The fact remains, however, that a network upgrade is a major undertaking. After all, the network touches everyone in the organization, from IT staff to executive management to end-users in every department. It’s virtually impossible to complete a network upgrade without some downtime. In addition, the network connects diverse systems and applications as well as external resources, meaning there are numerous critical dependencies that increase the complexity and risk of the upgrade process.
Proper planning is the key to maximizing the value of a network upgrade while minimizing risk and business disruption. By following industry best practices, you can successfully build a strong network foundation that will serve your needs well into the future.
The first step is to assess your present and future needs. If you’re partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) such as Verteks, your MSP should be able to help you gather metrics on network usage and project growth. Factor in any plans to add locations, employees, devices or applications. Ideally, your network upgrade will support your organization’s performance, capacity and security demands for three to five years.
Speaking of security, be sure to consider security best practices when planning your network upgrade. Again, your MSP is a valuable resource in assessing your current security posture and any vulnerabilities that are putting your organization at risk. Your MSP can also help you evaluate new security tools that can better protect your network and your mission-critical data.
Armed with an understanding of your objectives, you can design the network architecture. If you don’t have those capabilities in house, partner with a qualified MSP or technology solution provider, who will also be able to recommend networking products that are appropriate for your environment.
Now, you should develop an upgrade plan, with a flexible timeline that can accommodate the inevitable bumps in the road. The plan should be well documented, and account for all critical dependencies and application requirements. Thorough documentation will help keep the project on track.
Don’t forget about your end-users. Let them know if there will be changes to their processes and workflows, and provide training if needed. Also, make sure technical support staff are available to address any issues.
There is no question that a network upgrade is a complex undertaking. However, the right strategy can give you the bandwidth and performance you need with minimal risk and downtime. Verteks is here to help. Our experienced engineers can develop a project plan and maximize the value of your network upgrade.
