As low voltage contractors, we have encountered many improperly installed networks. We want to share how we discovered a network design that did not meet best practices and how we improved it. We consulted our clients not only as low voltage contractors but also as networking partners to bring their networks up to par with business requirements. We put together a detailed video explaining how we helped our client transform their network design to improve redundancy and reliability according to network topology best practices.

Overview of the Problematic Network Setup and Network Architecture

Looking at the existing network layout, this facility has three IDFs: Warehouse IDF, IDF 505, and IDF 101, located in the MDF. Each IDF houses the following network equipment:

• Warehouse IDF: 1 switch
• IDF 505: 2 switches
• MDF/IDF 101: 3 access layer switches, a server rack switch, core switches, and a router.

Though this setup sounds standard, problems arise from how these devices are connected via low voltage cabling.

Identifying Critical Network Topology Mistakes

First, let’s start with the daisy chain problem: Switch 7 is connected to Switch 5, Switch 6 is connected to Switch 5, and Switch 5 is connected to Switch 1. This setup can potentially cause an outage when any of these switches lose connectivity. It would only be a matter of time before a problem arises and network failure occurs. The potential for failure is high due to the lack of redundancy; when Switch 5 loses its uplink, both Switch 6 and Switch 7 lose connectivity. If Switch 1 loses its uplink, all other switches in the daisy chain will also lose connectivity.

The second major issue is the lack of switch stacking, which results in multiple IP addresses. This makes managing the network much more complicated than necessary, especially for a small network of this size. Stacking the switches allows the switches in each IDF to act as one virtual switch, meaning only one IP address is needed for management.

The Impact of Poor Network Design

The consequences of poor network design go beyond what meets the eye. The network topology decisions made in this setup could have been influenced by various factors, but it is our responsibility as professionals in the low voltage industry to recognize these errors and understand their impact.

While daisy chaining IDFs may work, performance will be subpar, the risk of outages will increase, and the potential for failure will be higher. When the first switch in a daisy chain setup loses its connection to the core switch, all downstream switches are impacted. This creates large bottlenecks within the network and fails to properly segment traffic. The goal of networking is to organize and control data flow, but daisy chaining switches undermines this objective.

Improper network management practices, such as failing to stack switches, result in multiple management IPs per IDF. A network often outlasts the tenure of its employees, and not following best practices can lead to confusion for new engineers during network maintenance or troubleshooting.

Best Practices for Proper Network Design and Why They Matter

Now let’s revisit how a proper network design should look and why it matters. As low voltage contractors, we are not always required to know this information, but we strive to provide the best quality service and level of consulting possible.

The first step is to stack the switches. In IDF 505, the two switches should become one virtual switch with a single management IP. The switches in the other IDFs should also be stacked, making it a three-switch stack. Stacking allows for both data and power redundancy.

Once the switches are stacked, the next step is to install cabling redundancy between the IDFs and the MDF. There are two core switches in the MDF, and each core switch should have a link to each IDF, creating redundant fiber links between the IDFs and the MDF.

These redundant links are crucial because there is always the possibility of one link going down. Some reasons for link failure include bad SFPs, fiber damage, dirty fiber, switch failure, port failure, or network maintenance and upgrades. Without a redundant link, when the primary link fails, the entire network goes down. Redundancy makes the network more resistant to issues and more flexible during maintenance.

Conclusion: Partner with Universal Fiber Optics Cable to Support Networking Best Practices

In conclusion, proper network design is essential to ensuring the reliability, performance, and manageability of any business’s infrastructure. As we’ve seen in this case, the initial network setup lacked redundancy and best practices, leading to a higher risk of outages, performance bottlenecks, and complicated management. By identifying key issues such as daisy chaining switches and the absence of switch stacking, we were able to implement solutions that improved both the network’s resilience and its manageability.

The lessons from this project underscore the importance of adhering to best practices, such as stacking switches and incorporating redundant links, to create a more robust and scalable network. We are not only structured cabling installers but low voltage network specialists who help maintain and support our clients’ networks in all aspects of layer 1. By doing so, we ensure that our clients have a network that is efficient, reliable, and capable of supporting their business operations without the risk of unnecessary downtime or complications.