Section 8.2: Maintaining and Upgrading Computer Networks

Learning Objectives

After completing this section, you should be able to

• describe the process for a baseline analysis to determine the state of a network;
• plan and follow regular hardware and software maintenance routines;
• describe the steps involved in upgrading network operating systems and in adding network hardware;
• list and discuss the potential pitfalls of making changes to a network, and research network trends to plan future upgrades;
• describe the elements and benefits of project management;
• analyze the current state of a network;
• perform a needs assessment and recommend changes based on findings;
• manage a network implementation project;
•  design and test a pilot network.

Tasks

• Study Chapter 15 of the TD textbook.
• If possible, complete hands-on Project 15-2.
• Complete Case Project 15-3.

Study Questions

1. Why does a network require maintenance?
2. Why might a network require upgrading?
3. What is baselining?
4. What are asset management and change management?
5. What general steps should be followed in making software change to a network?
6. What is a patch for a software program?
7. What is a software upgrade?
8. What are the differences between client upgrade and application upgrade?
9. How should a network operating system be upgraded? What should be considered in planning such an upgrade?
10. How can a software upgrade be reversed? Why is reversing an upgrade sometimes needed?
11. What general steps should be followed when considering a hardware upgrade?
12. What hardware on a network may need an upgrade?
13. How should the network administrator perform a cabling upgrade? A backbone upgrade?
14. Why might it be necessary to reverse hardware changes?
15. What are the current trends in networking technology?
16. How would a networking professional research networking trends?
17. What is project management?
18. What are the common elements for a project plan?
19. What types of resources are needed for a network project?
20. Why are communications critical to the success of a network project?
21. What is process management?
22. How does process management help you?
23. What is contingency planning?
24. In a networking project, what measures may be taken to prevent problems during the project implementation?
25. How can the implementation of a networking project be tested and evaluated?
26. What are the most significant steps in implementing a networking project?
27. How is project feasibility determined?
28. How are project goals set?
29. How is a baseline assessment performed in implementing a network project?
30. What questions must be answered when doing a needs assessment?
31. What questions must be answered when assessing user requirements?
32. What questions must be answered when assessing performance requirements?
33. What questions must be answered when assessing availability requirements?
34. What questions must be answered when assessing integration and scalability requirements?
35. What questions must be answered when assessing security requirements?
36. What is a pilot network?
37. How is a more realistic and useful pilot network created?
38. How are network users prepared for changes to the network?