Modern Network Architecture
Modern Network Architecture has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. It really wasn’t that long ago when there weren’t enough sophisticated people who could support computers. Understanding modern network architecture meant you could spell the word “Computer” and then find the power button in less than 5 Minutes. You were then qualified to be an IT expert and of course modern network architect. The networking world was filled with ex-refrigerator repairment who became technology “Cowboys” who were ”certified” in a little bit of everything and users desperately wanted to believe knew everything about computers.
Today modern networks are complex environments. The quality of the network is measured by,
- Scalability
- Availability
- Reliability
- Useability
- Secureability
There are many systems, roles and specialties that can take decades to master. Then in a few months technology changes everything. This section is about how networks have changed and some of the considerations CEO’s, management teams and technology experts need to think about in order to build Information Systems for the company that augment rather than spite the business vision.
Technical Vision
It’s not just enough to throw together some desktops and some servers together. The one thing we know about networks is they grow. There are probably 3 or 4 ways to build a network that promotes the business vision. There are probably a 1000 ways to build a network that will choke business growth and limit the capacity of the organization in a way that caps profitability and productivity.
Information Technology Management
Networks started out like the Wild West. Probably every new industry does. Cowboys were technical experts with lots of knowledge and could get things done. By themselves they did everything. Need the network fixed, call the cowboy. Need a new technology implemented, call the cowboy. Cowboys didn’t answer to anyone because nobody could replace them.
Today this has changed. Cowboys are impressive but are not welcomed in modern networks environments. The technology is so complicated no one person can know it all. Managing the network infrastructure has grown up with well-defined business roles for each player, team and group within a modern IT department.
Modern Network Architect
We realize also that network architecture is more than throwing technology together in a jumble. The modern network architect needs to be thinking ahead of each technology cycle. Technology goes through cycles. Cutting Edge technologies become new technologies then become old technologies and finally end up as legacy technologies. The modern network architect needs to anticipate the future and build systems that will allow new technology to be added. Scalability, reliability, usability, availability and secure-ability are the goals of the modern network architect. All these factors must be considered while also considering matching the new techology to the business requirements and the visio of the organization.
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