New network build

I've been asked what we would need if we were to move site into a new building, what IT equipment would be needed. The building isn't yet constructed so treat it as if we have free reign.

So far i've put down.
Server rack with sufficient power for all appliances such as servers, ups, switches and routers.
Modular Layer3 core switch
Firewall and content filter
Rack mounted servers with storage array RAID6
UPS Power supplies
Air conditioned room
Ethernet cabling to latest spec
Ethernet sockets in computer rooms
Workstation grade PC’s to run CAD/CAM software
Wifi Network – Next generation specification
Interactive whiteboards
Printers in computer rooms
Office for IT staff for network monitoring with multidisplay computers.
Backup NAS drive in separate room
Hi-speed internet (fibre)
Fibre backbone for LAN
Gigabit switches for computer rooms with wall mounted cabinets

Is there anything I'm missing?

Well depends how much free reign, but:

"Other-side-of-school" backup room etc
Don't know if it's assumed or not, but fibre backbone etc?
etc

Steve

Not too sure what you mean by "Other-side-of-school" backup room etc
Fibre backbone? Is that LAN or WAN? I actually forgot about the internet

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gaz

Not too sure what you mean by "Other-side-of-school" backup room etc
Fibre backbone? Is that LAN or WAN? I actually forgot about the internet

---

As in, secondary backup area on site, so even if server room burns etc you have your backups.
Fibre as in the main links across the site, instead of using CAT5 etc, fibre link out to individual cabs around the school then CAT5 etc from there.

Steve

Arh yes good point. Not too sure how its going to be wired, i.e. if all the wiring is going to go back to the server room thus no need for cabs in the rooms
We'll probably have 3 computer rooms and about 7 classrooms (with ethernet but only for IWB)
Is it better practice to have cabs in the rooms or have all the cabling go back to server? sorry if thats a silly question but I've never been asked to design a network of this level.

Not sure you can really do that (if it's a large site) thought cat5 max length was 100m~

But from my understanding it's generally better to go:
main server room->fibre->cabs
cabs->cat5/6->devices

As it's faster over fibre etc

But if as you said you're only having a few classrooms it may well not be worth the hassle/price, if it's not likely to get overloaded anyway. Guess its future proofing though.

But sure others could confirm/deny that! :)

Steve

Yeah its probably better, because I don't know how big the rooms will be or how far from the server room they will be fibre uplinks is probably the better choice.
The move wont happen for another 2 years but the planning needs to happen now.

Lots of power points in the IT office, and grouped according to your specification. A couple of schools ago, my team (three of us) were getting a new office and server room. The architect said there would be 5 double power points in the office, 1 for each staff, 1 for a printer and 1 spare. I said we needed at least 4 doubles at each work bench and another 5 doubles scattered around the room. The architect thought this to be excessive, until I took him to the old office and showed him all of the 4 ways on the desks. I said we were going to get away from these 4 ways.

Also in the IT office you need :
a combined water cooler/hot water source
fridge
and ideally an espresso machine (Faema or similar!)

IP Phone system?

Before you try and decide what infrastructure you need, you need to be sure you've gathered all the user requirements and assumptions.

You mention classroom requirements... that's good but where might they expand to in the future?
Is wireless assumed? If you need wiring and server infrastructure to support that.
What about provision for computers in offices, staffrooms, etc?
As FN-GM says, what about VoIP phones (if someone says you're not using VoIP phones then either you're re-using your current system, which is fair enough, or in this day and age I'd question that decision quite strongly).
Support for BMS, security systems?

Wifi is on the list^^
IP phone system, I'm not too sure about but its always nice to play with new tech isn't it? If the switch powering the IP phones dies do we lose the phones?
Office computers will be laptops but that is assumed, they will run off the wifi network with ethernet in the room as backup in case/when the wifi plays up.
Forgive my ignorance but whats BMS?

Interactive whiteboards are way out of date, don't buy any unless an absolute idea of how they are going to aid T&L is put forward.


I've been asked what we would need if we were to move site into a new building, what IT equipment would be needed. The building isn't yet constructed so treat it as if we have free reign.

So far i've put down.

>>Server rack with sufficient power for all appliances such as servers, ups, switches and routers.
1000 Deep

>>Modular Layer3 core switch
Make sure it's got some redundancy for failures.


>>Firewall and content filter
Plenty of options from free to ££££


>>Rack mounted servers with storage array RAID6
Don't go for 1U, stick with 2U.


>>UPS Power supplies
Make sure the load is distruibuted correctly and that they are network connected.

>>Air conditioned room
Specify N+1 for the capacity required.


>>Ethernet cabling to latest spec
Don't bother with CAT7


>>Ethernet sockets in computer rooms
yep make sure there is enough physical room for the students, use cantaliver benches to remove legs from the front edge.

>>Workstation grade PC’s to run CAD/CAM software
Workstations are very expensive, what CAD are you using

>>Wifi Network – Next generation specification
Meru,Rukus,Meraki... get vendors in to show you the advantages.

>>Interactive whiteboards
Interactive whiteboards are way out of date, don't buy any unless an absolute idea of how they are going to aid T&L is put forward.

>>Printers in computer rooms
Reduce the number, make it more difficult to print, reduce print.

>>Office for IT staff for network monitoring with multidisplay computers.
Cry....

>>Backup NAS drive in separate room
Seperate building or tapes off site.

>>Hi-speed internet (fibre)
Don't go for a consumer service as the upload is not good.

>>Fibre backbone for LAN
Diverse routed if you can.

>>Gigabit switches for computer rooms with wall mounted cabinets
Avoid this if you can, central distro rooms preferable.

>>is there anything missing???

Probably lots.

Rob

Office computers should be computers not laptops. Or should have DOCK's with correct Monitor mountings, Keybaord, Mouse Etc..

BMS ( Building Management Systems )

Rob

Cashless Catering
Follow Me Print
CCTV
Systems Intergration
IPTV
Phone / Comms Lines ( and Ducting )
Apple Servers
BYOD provision
Door Access
Visitors Kiosk Systems
Digital Signage
Laptop Storage
Remote Access


Rob

Quote:

---

If the switch powering the IP phones dies do we lose the phones?

---

Yep but if you have a decent setup you will have redundancy and hot swaps etc.

It will be easier to fix than an old style phone system!