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Given the required installation time for this project, the microwave solution was eliminated, because it requires a licensing lead time before equipment is operational. Bandwidth throughput of the microwave solution was also a point of concern, because the cabling installation at the remote location workstations called for 16M bit Token Ring, and total peak throughput of the microwave solution is only 6.7M bits. Also, existing data traffic at peak usage would reach bandwidth saturation points. The microwave technology solution, therefore, fails the first two points of the selection criteria.
Several factors in the final review of the infrared laser link requirements eliminated this solution. Network uptime would be compromised by the lasers being mounted on the roof from east to west because of the building managements requirement for worker safety. In spite of staff in other locations being available to lend support, the local staff lacking experience in the necessary skill set to maintain or repair the laser units was a concern. In addition, the need to purchase a backup unit to have an on-site spare would make the solution cost prohibitive. The infrared solution failed to satisfy the last three points of the selection criteria.
A fiber optic installation could be completed within the stated time frame, and the use of Token Ring fiber optic repeaters would maintain high levels of data throughput to reduce the threat of bandwidth saturation. The existing staff had some expertise in fiber optic repeaters and fiber optic cable installation, which would reduce maintenance response times. Further, if any new technology that provides greater bandwidth were to appear on the horizon, it would be best served through the fiber optic installation. Lastly, the cost was not prohibitive. Therefore, this technology provided the response best suited to the selection criteria and is the most viable solution.
As a final note, the microwave and infrared solutions required total backup units to be quickly recoverable. The cost for backup units would increase the overall cost of these options by approximately 30%. The fiber optic recommendation, on the other hand, contained a backup system with the extra strands included in the cable runs. Short of someone cutting the entire cable, these strands would be available if a failure were to occur. The switch to the available strands could be completed quickly, increasing the overall reliability of this connectivity solution.
As with most projects, the final installation phase was the most critical. The situation under discussion required precise timing for user access to the Banyan network on a specific day. The implementation and installation phase for this project centered around connectivity on December 15, the scheduled date for the staffs move to the adjacent building. The build-out schedule for the space showed that the equipment installation was finished on Dec.12. To complete the connection for network access between the two buildings, the following process was recommended. It allowed for potential delays and provides some recovery time. The process involved:
Network expansion, in any form, requires a baseline knowledge of the systems used, the organization and business direction, the liabilities a business may face with each major process change, and the effects of any downtime. Information systems are the lifeline of most businesses today, and these systems must exhibit enough flexibility to change as quickly as business directions change.
Technology is changing so dramatically that many system needs are available if the time and effort are applied to research what is available and to understand how to make it work for a given application. This effort is best served with staff experienced with the business, systems, and available technology.
Each of the technologies reviewed in this chapter is applicable to certain situations; therefore, the criteria requirements for each situation must be carefully weighed against the direction of the business organization. The proper knowledge base determines the correct direction for this type of connection or for any system expansion plans. Full analysis and good planning on the front end increase the project success rate.
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