Mainstream Network Model: Guidelines to Upgrading Campus Networks

Abstract

This document presents a "mainstream network model" aimed at a medium sized college or university. It is intended to identify designs and issues for consideration by local planners when developing a specific network plan. The high level goals infusing this model include:

• Reliability, the ability for the network to deliver solid core infrastructure to support critical services;
• Scalability, the ability for the network to be expanded to meet growth in usage;
• Full function, the ability of the network to provide the full complement of network based services needed by colleges and universities;
• Continuous evolution, the ability of routine life-cycle maintenance of the network to gracefully introduce continuing network advances; Poised for the future, the ability for campuses to add significant new function to the network, even functions not yet identified; and
• Standards, the ability to identify staff and vendors to manage the network at best possible costs.

This model does not intend to present adequate detail to serve as a plan itself, but should provide a checklist of issues to consider and a set of "rules of thumb" to guide decisions planners must make when developing a thorough campus network design. With a focus on principles as much as detailed specifications, planners should be able to scale this model to meet the needs of smaller campuses, larger campuses and even multi-campus systems.