Planning a business communications network

The process of planning user networks that carry both data and voice, and possibly other media such as facsimile and video, between a number of computers located throughout the country and a variety of terminals and PCs among a large number of employees is discussed. A team consisting essentially of customer systems engineers from the telephone company, similar persons from the computer equipment supplier, and contacts in the user´s communication department is used to illustrate the process; however, the approach works equally well with teams consisting of another appropriate mix. The factors considered include cost effectiveness, performance, maintainability, survivability, and network management. The networking aspects and their impact on the operating environment of the user are considered.<>