How to plan LAN/WAN Network Refresh Project: End-of-Life equipment

Basic requirements: Framing, Value Drivers, Deliverables, Definition of Success and Project plan phase 1-5 for example

Network Refresh Framing Document

• Domestic sites with end of life equipment 
• LAN edge switches
• WAN routers
• Equipment that has been in service for 5-7 years
• Backup power supplies
• Telecom closet assessment/audit
• Power over Ethernet capabilities
• Sites with appropriate infrastructure to support power requirements
• Deployment of a standard architecture across all sites including equipment and protocols
• Compliance with security standards
• Removal of end of life equipment
• Self containing rack units for sites without a telecom closet
• Capitalized labor for remote offices that cannot be serviced by field team

Network Refresh Value Drivers

• Reliability of the infrastructure supporting business critical applications and processes.
• Reduced network downtime
• Reduced MTTR
• Increased redundancy
• Decreased latency, higher bandwidth
• Increased consistency and standardization of the WAN/LAN network.
• Reduced cost of operating infrastructure
• Reduced variance/variability in network infrastructure
• Network readiness and scalability to support future IT initiatives and business needs
• Video Conferencing, IPT, PoE support

• Cost Avoidance/Savings
• Mitigation of costs associated with increased equipment failures
• Reduction in hardware and maintenance costs
• Consolidation of hardware
• Alignment with Enterprise Architecture roadmap 

Key Business Deliverables

• Network Infrastructure – Upgraded LAN switches with PoE capability 
• Increased bandwidth – Ability to accommodate additional traffic and support applications such as IPT and Video Conferencing.
• Higher reliability/redundancy – Reduction of downtime and business incidents related to the LAN infrastructure
• PoE capabilities – Ability to support IPT infrastructure
• Reduced complexity of the LAN infrastructure – Reduction in overall cost of maintaining the LAN environment

Definition of Success

Vision of Success:  What does success look like with the Future/Desired state?

Full replacement of all End of Support Network switches and routers, resulting in a more reliable and supportable network, that is prepared to meet the future business and IT needs of the company.

Critical Success Factors:  What factors will ensure that the vision of success is met?

• Incident Free deployments (No Business/Safety Incidents as a result of swapping out equipment.)
• Project Schedule and Milestones completed on time.
• Project completed within budget.
• Infrastructure in Telecom closets is capable of supporting the new devices.

Success Metrics

• Results:  Project completed on schedule, within budget, and resulting in a more reliable and supportable network.  
• Business Incident Avoidance:
• Financial Measures:

Phase 1

• Gather information about the current network and understand business constraints 

Phase 2

• Identify, Develop, and Select Alternatives:
• Identified alternatives
• Gather pricing on each alternative
• Conduct Technical Reviews of each alternative
• Develop selection criteria and weights to select an alternative
• Complete high level design 
• Complete the business requirement with project team and stakeholder

Phase3

• Design VLAN
• Design IP Address For LAN, Server, Network Device, etc…
• Design and support documentation 
• Request approval to implement the system

Phase 4

• Wire Fiber Optic Cable, Wire CAT6 LAN Cable
• Install Network Device, Install Set Up Network Device
• Testing & Tuning system, Install Monitoring tool

Phase 5

• Review development, implementation and benefits of the LAN improvement project.
• Training, Documentation, 

Close out project: Let's plan....