Planning the Infrastructure

You also need to plan the details of how you'll connect the computers in the network. You have to determine which network topology the network will use, which type of cable will be used, where the cable will be routed, and which other devices-most likely, network switches and perhaps a router-will be needed.

Although you have many cabling options to choose from, you'll probably use Cat5e or better UTP for most-if not all-of the desktop client computers on the network. However, you have many questions to answer beyond this basic choice:

• Where will you place workgroup switches-on a desktop somewhere within the group or in a central wiring closet?

• How many client computers will you place on each switch, and how many switches will you need?

• If you need more than one switch, which type of cabling will you use to connect the switches to one another?

For more information about network cabling, see Chapter 5.

Tip 

If you're installing new network cable, don't scrimp on the cable itself. Because installing network cable is a labor-intensive task, the cost of the cable itself is a small part of the total cable-installation cost. And, if you spend a little extra to install higher-grade cable now, you don't have to replace the cable in a few years when it's time to upgrade the network.