Design network infrastructure solutions

This standard is about designing network infrastructure solutions.

Network designers produce network designs and specifications, transitioning logical concepts into physical network infrastructures. Their responsibilities encompass selecting the appropriate hardware and software components tailored to meet the specific network services and traffic demands of an organisation.  A network typically integrates both wired and wireless devices, facilitating the efficient delivery of network services.

This requires technical expertise in hardware and software components as well as the architectural principles, industry standards, and protocols essential for designing resilient network infrastructures. This includes understanding diverse networking domains, from internal and external-facing systems to mobile, public, and private networks, as well as intranet and internet communication frameworks.

This includes a broad knowledge of all aspects of networking in order to produce network designs, policies and documentation to support the organisational network requirements and strategy. This may involve all aspects of internal and external facing, mobile, public and private, intranet and internet infrastructure communications. This also includes producing network designs, policies, and documentation that align with organisational objectives and strategies, to provide scaleability for future network requirements.

This standard is for those who need to design network infrastructure solutions as part of their duties.

1. Evaluate network infrastructure service requirements to produce scaleable network design specifications
2. Identify network scale, user volumes, endpoint device characteristics, application landscape, and storage needs in line with organisational requirements
3. Select hardware and software components to provide the required network functionality
4. Construct both high-level network topologies and detailed network designs in line with network specifications
5. Position network components within the topology to provide optimal performance
6. Develop detailed network diagrams to depict the layout and interconnectivity of network elements
7. Effectively prioritise network infrastructure planning and design requests within agreed-upon timelines in line with organisational requirements
8. Develop and maintain network design documentation, including reports, models, forecasts and plans in line with organisational procedures
9. Present network designs to stakeholders and clients, aligning presentations with audience needs

1. How to evaluate organisational requirements to inform network planning and design strategies
2. The adverse effects poor-quality network infrastructure design can have on organisational network performance
3. The operating characteristics of network hardware devices including routers, switches, firewalls, and related components
4. How to select appropriate network operating systems, software applications, services, and storage solutions for different network environments
5. The main features of industry-standard networking software, including operating systems and applications necessary for network functionality
6. How to design networks to meet specific service and traffic demands
7. How to design network solutions with scalability considerations, accommodating future growth and increasing demands
8. How to develop detailed diagrams that effectively represent network layout, interconnections, and interconnected devices
9. The capabilities of network devices and components, along with the main selection criteria for each
10. Industry-standard tools and methodologies utilised in network design, and the ability to apply them effectively
11. How to select network hardware devices and software to suit the requirements of a given network design
12. The internal and external standards governing network infrastructure design
13. How to document and report network designs, models, forecasts, and plans following organisational procedures and industry standards