Network Infrastructure Planning: How to Prepare for Changing Technology
Technology can change several times during the life of a building’s network infrastructure. A network designed around current requirements may eventually need to support greater bandwidth, more devices, or technology that wasn’t part of the original plan. Newer tools, including AI, are adding to the list of demands.
Network infrastructure planning anticipates future changes by giving organizations room to upgrade while also identifying where the existing infrastructure could limit future growth.
The need to look ahead has become more important as the role of the network itself continues expanding. A closer look at how network demands have changed helps explain why.
Why Does Network Infrastructure Planning Matter More Today?
For many organizations, server rooms that were once packed with equipment now function primarily as main network rooms, providing connectivity to resources that increasingly live in the cloud.
Greater dependence on the cloud puts more pressure on the on-site infrastructure connecting users to those resources. AI adds another source of demand that will only continue to grow over time.
Aaron Cummings, CC&N Wireless Project Manager, sees how new technology is exposing existing network weaknesses.
“Older network switches and cables need to be able to support new demand,” he says. “Users are consuming more bandwidth and connecting more devices, so wireless access points can also become part of the problem.”
As these demands increase, the limitations of existing infrastructure often become apparent in day-to-day network performance. Recognizing the warning signs can help organizations determine when an update is needed.
How Do You Know Your Network Infrastructure Needs an Upgrade?
Problems often first become apparent to the people using the network. Employees may have trouble getting online or notice websites and data taking longer to load, all signs that the existing network infrastructure may be struggling to keep up with demand and a new network infrastructure design is needed.
Network age can provide another reason to take a closer look.
“It’s not uncommon to encounter network hardware that is five to ten years old,” says Cummings. “Rather than waiting for performance problems to start, we can come in and help assess the existing hardware and cabling. An assessment helps develop a refresh cycle based on what the network needs to support.”
A proactive approach gives the infrastructure provider a clearer picture of the standards already in place and where additional capacity may be needed.
Once the current network is understood, the next question becomes how much room the infrastructure provides for future changes.
Learn tips for ensuring a successful network refresh in our blog post, “Why Most Network Refreshes Fail—and How to Do Yours Right.”
Plan Cabling Infrastructure With Future Capacity in Mind
Cummings describes flexibility in cabling infrastructure as future-proofing. The goal is to provide enough capacity for reasonable upgrades without having to rebuild the underlying infrastructure each time network requirements increase.
“In the cable infrastructure world, capacity means running enough fiber to meet any future upgrade goals,” says Cummings. “It also means purchasing and installing newer kinds of copper cabling, like CAT6 or CAT6a, to support the greater network speeds.”
Industry and organizational standards can also influence the decision. Cummings notes that some CC&N healthcare clients specify Cat 6A for new installations.
The practical goal of future-proofing is to avoid infrastructure decisions that unnecessarily restrict the next upgrade. Without enough fiber or appropriate cabling, an organization may eventually have to remove and replace existing infrastructure to gain the capacity it needs.
Future capacity also depends on where and how people will need to connect as wireless expectations continue to change.
Connectivity issues are critical in healthcare settings. Our blog post, ”Top 5 Connectivity Pitfalls in Healthcare (and How to Avoid Them” can help.
When Do Changing Coverage Needs Require a Wireless Retrofit?
Wireless coverage used to be concentrated in specific parts of a building. Expectations have moved well beyond designated Wi-Fi areas.
“Employees expect to be able to work from anywhere in an office on their laptop or cell phone, and they expect to have good, fast wireless speed.” — Aaron Cummings, CC&N Wireless Project Manager
Cummings says those expectations can extend beyond the building itself, with some customers looking for coverage in outdoor gathering areas or parking lots.
Account for Building Conditions That Could Limit Future Coverage
The building itself can determine how easily wireless coverage can be expanded later. Low-E glass can interfere with cellular and radio signals, while thick concrete can create similar coverage challenges. Identifying building limitations during network planning can help an organization understand where future wireless upgrades may require additional infrastructure.
Public safety radio coverage, which can involve distributed antenna systems (DAS) and Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES), is another consideration. Requirements vary by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), the entity responsible for enforcing applicable building and fire safety requirements.
Cummings has seen projects where coverage wasn’t addressed until late in the process, creating an urgent need for additional infrastructure before the building could meet occupancy requirements. The experience illustrates a broader lesson for future network planning: coverage needs can change, but the physical characteristics of the building will still shape the options available for meeting them.
Once an organization knows what work needs to be done, the provider selected to perform it can have a lasting effect on how well the infrastructure supports future changes.
Choose an Infrastructure Partner That Can Support Change
Cummings recommends asking prospective infrastructure providers about the certifications held by their cabling technicians and designers, along with their approach to safety and code compliance. CC&N has encountered installations that did not meet code requirements and eventually had to be corrected.
“Though technology continues to change over time, there’s one thing that’s remained constant with CC&N,” says Cummings. “We offer consistent standards, consistent quality, and one line of communication.”
The technology an organization relies on will continue to change, but thoughtful network infrastructure planning can make adapting to those changes considerably easier.
Planning a network infrastructure upgrade or evaluating whether an existing network can support future needs? Contact CC&N to discuss network infrastructure planning and assessment.
