Building a Business Network Infrastructure: Best Practices

A modern large business means servers, computers, printers and other equipment. Nothing can be done without it. For all this equipment to work and interact properly, for data transfer speeds to remain high, and for employees to work efficiently, it is necessary to build a proper network infrastructure. In this article, we will explain how to build a network infrastructure for large organizations and describe best practices.

Basic network infrastructure requirements

If the company already has a network infrastructure, the first step is to assess it. Especially performance, scalability and security parameters should be analyzed.

The next step is to identify current and future requirements. Particularly if you are planning to build the infrastructure from scratch. This will help you decide which features to prioritise.

The main network infrastructure requirements include:

1. Flexibility and scalability.

2. Integration with external networks.

3. Manageability.

4. Security.

Flexibility and scalability

Scalability is the capacity of a system or network to adapt to increased workloads or additional resources as demand grows.

Flexibility refers to the speed and ease with which a network can be changed or expanded without disruption.

A flexible, highly scalable network allows a business to grow smoothly, adapting to increased traffic, users and data without compromising performance. Such networks can handle increased workloads without performance degradation or downtime. This ensures uninterrupted access to critical resources. As a result, you can avoid the need to invest in new infrastructure every time your business expands.

The following tools enable you to achieve high flexibility and scalability:

• Virtualisation and Software Defined Networking (SDN). Virtualisation allows network resources to be separated and logically partitioned to create virtual networks. This approach increases scalability by making efficient use of available resources and enables dynamic allocation and redistribution of network components.
  Software-Defined Networking (SDN) allows you to manage your network using specialized software, making it easier to adapt and scale your network.

• Cloud networks. They harness the power of cloud computing to deliver a network infrastructure that is both scalable and flexible. By moving network functions to the cloud, you can eliminate the responsibility of managing physical hardware and scale your network on demand.
  You can easily configure, replicate and manage cloud networks from anywhere in the world, providing flexibility for distributed teams.

• Modular architecture. This is the decomposition of a network into smaller, independent modules that can be easily expanded or replaced without affecting the entire network. This approach provides the flexibility to add or remove modules as requirements change.

Manageability

Network Security

Data protection: By implementing security measures, organizations prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, including customer data, financial performance and intellectual property.

Countering cyberattacks: Network security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems and encryption, provide defenses to detect and prevent hacking, DDoS attacks and malware infections.

Regulatory compliance: Many industries have their own regulatory requirements for data privacy and security. By implementing network security measures, organizations can ensure compliance and avoid penalties.

To strengthen network security, use the following solutions:

1. Firewalls. They monitor and filter incoming and outgoing traffic based on pre-defined security rules. Firewalls act as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks, allowing only authorized traffic through and blocking malicious attempts.

2. Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS). IDS/IPS are security measures designed to detect and respond to potential network threats. IDS detects and alerts administrators to suspicious network activity, while IPS actively blocks and prevents this activity in real time, minimizing the risk of successful breaches.

3. VPN. Provides secure, encrypted connections over public networks. By using a VPN, organizations can ensure that data in transit remains confidential and protected from eavesdropping or interception.

4. Regular patches and updates. Regular patches and updates help to address vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system, reducing the risk of exploitation by cybercriminals.

5. Encryption. This is the process of converting data into an unreadable format using cryptographic algorithms. It provides an extra layer of security by making sensitive information inaccessible to unauthorized users.

How to optimise network performance

Let's look at the key steps that will help you improve your implementation and achieve optimal network performance:

• Comprehensive planning and assessment. Before implementing any changes or upgrades, it's important to conduct a comprehensive assessment of your existing network infrastructure. Evaluate current performance, identify bottlenecks, analyze network traffic and security protocols.A thorough assessment identifies specific areas for improvement and ensures that the network implementation meets business objectives.

• Seamless network design. After a comprehensive assessment, the next step is to design a network infrastructure that meets specific requirements. Determine the network topology, hardware and software components required for optimal performance, and create a design that considers potential growth.

• Effective change management. Managing network change can be complex, especially when introducing new technology or upgrading equipment. To ensure a smooth transition, clearly define change management processes and protocols to minimize disruption during implementation. Communicate regularly with end users to address any concerns or issues that may arise during the transition.

• Robust security measures. Implement strong authentication and access control protocols to prevent unauthorized access. Regularly update firewalls, antivirus software and intrusion detection systems to ensure protection against emerging threats. Encrypt sensitive data and use secure VPN connections for remote access.

• Monitoring and regular maintenance. Implement monitoring tools to track performance, identify potential problems and proactively resolve them. Regularly update hardware firmware and software to address security vulnerabilities and improve network efficiency. Perform backups of critical data to minimize potential loss in the event of unforeseen events.