Network infrastructure covers everything from the phone system in your office to the data that makes it run. It includes hardware, software, and network devices.
Your telephone system may be a whole network of towers and wires. Then there’s the equipment that carrying those signals and that connects the phone calls to the person on the other end. Each device has an address, such as the office or the company building.
Your data center is basically your organization’s mail room. There’s your servers, your network devices, your storage units, and your high-speed connection to the internet. It’s important that your data centers are able to support the volume of traffic coming into your building, which means cooling, ventilation, and energy management. And if your customers and potential clients are able to get in, they need to be able to get out.
What are some of these critical components of your network infrastructure? For starters, it’s essential that you have strong and reliable internet connections. How do you ensure that these links are always up and running?
It’s true that the information that is transmitted over your phone lines and cables is vulnerable to damage. This could be from lightning, flooding, or other forces of nature. But it’s also true that your data is vulnerable, too. It’s why it’s important to maintain a good, safe environment for your data.
Of course, you’ll also want to keep your system running with the latest security patches. These help to protect your system from the common threats that come your way, and they can help to keep out intruders that could cause harm to your computer and to your data.
Network architecture is a term that has become a bit of a misnomer, at least when it comes to the telephone lines in your office. Instead, you should think of this area as the backbone of your network infrastructure. It provides all the necessary links between your systems, from the data center to the main phone system.
In the data center, the backbone is the racks where your servers are housed. This is where all of your computers are located, so it’s very important that the space where they’re housed is secure. If the racks are not covered, there is a danger that you’ll lose data in the event of a disaster.
Another part of the network infrastructure is the communication equipment. This is often the devices that allow you to connect to the internet, such as routers and switches. Every business should have a good, robust set of equipment that they can rely on for years to come.
But there are other companies that need to access your phone lines, which should also be included in this network infrastructure. So it is important that your equipment is also robust and reliable, and that you consider different vendors for the right equipment.
These devices are just the beginning of the network architecture. You’ll also need software to maintain and improve your operations. You’ll also need connectivity, since you’ll want to connect to the world.
The network infrastructure that you choose is an important consideration. However, it should be looked at as a top priority. Without this basic infrastructure, you’ll find yourself struggling to get anything done.
Network Infrastructure Architect Responsibilities
They assess existing systems to provide sufficient security to ensure that they meet the needs of all the users and coordinate with all the departments in an organization so that the systems are working efficiently. They analyze business requirements to identify where they can integrate new hardware, operating systems, and connectivity solutions.
Engineers configure, install, maintain, and support firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless equipment. They respond tickets that users raise by providing technical support and assistance.
An architect can also suggest improvements or other technologies to top management.
They need to troubleshoot network and system issues and breakdowns as required, including security issues.
Engineers deploy operate enterprise networking solutions efficiently and ensure that it is always accessible. They implement new networking technologies or upgrade existing technologies to improve services and capabilities.
Architects maintain and manage firewalls VPNs, and network switches and routing. They monitor and support VoIP and telecom systems.
Specialists diagnose network traffic for suspicious activities and report them to management. They need to support the IPs and network.
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