Network Design Principles

Business applications have evolved over the years from the simplest form of client/server to more user interactive. These business applications now leverage technologies such as voice, video, and wireless. The adoption of collaborative, interactive applications has created a significant shift in the perception and the requirements of the enterprise network. The evolving business landscape now requires the enterprise network to provide the following:

• User experience for collaboration applications: The use of collaboration, real-time communication, single-sign-on, and mobility applications is growing, with a positive and engaging user experience being one of the top priorities.

• Supporting diverse end-user device types: Enterprises have seen an increased adoption of wireless devices (including Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and smartphones) and thin-client terminals in addition to the traditional personal computers (PC) and IP phones.

• Network resiliency and improved convergence times: Business operations that adjust to globalization and continue to operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year require a resilient network infrastructure that ensures access to business applications during a network upgrade or failure.

• Pervasive security: Over the years, security threats have grown in number and complexity, requiring the network security to evolve and support distributed and dynamic application environments. The need for flexible partner and guest access is increasing as business partnerships evolve.