NETWORKS

Existing Systems:

• Need to work with existing hardware
• Need to work with existing software

Performance Required:

• Speed
• Reliability
• Usability
• Cost

Size of Organisation:

• LAN or WAN

Cost:

• Server
• Cabling
• Routers, bridges ect.
• Software
• Third party communication channels

Security Issues:

• Restrictions on access to Interent
• Restrictions on access to programs
• Restrictions on access to data
• How hackers can be kept out
• Virus prevention

How the system will be used:

• LAN or WAN
• 

Client-Server:

• Computers are not all equal status
• Uses one or more servers
• Centralised administration
• Centralised strorage of programs and data
• Improved security
• Backups taken centrally
• Fast access to programs and data
• Specialist knowledge needed
• Used for small or large networks

Peer-To-Peer:

• Only used with small networks
• No server needed
• Cheap
• Users can specify what resources to make it available
• Poor security

Management of User Accounts:

• Allocations of passwords
• Allocation of access levels to users
• User logs

Security:

• Passwords and user-IS's
• Virus checkers
• Firewalls
• Encryption

Configuration Management:

• Repair, expansion and upgrading
• Optimisation
• Reduce downtime
• Security optimised
• Roll back changes
• Restore settings

Remote Management:

• Check for unauthorised software
• Guide users through problems
• Check installed software
• Check hardware
• Check on use of e-mail

Backup:

• Taken automatically
• Use of RAID