What is Network Design?

Network design refers to the planning of the implementation of a computer network infrastructure.  Network design is generally performed by network designers, engineers, IT administrators and other related staff. It is done before the implementation of a network infrastructure.

Network design involves evaluating, understanding and scoping the network to be implemented. The whole network design is usually represented as a network diagram that serves as the blueprint for implementing the network physically. Typically, network design includes the following:

• Logical map of the network to be designed
• Cabling structure
• Quantity, type and location of network devices (router, switches, servers)
• IP addressing structure
• Network security architecture and overall network security processes