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Chapter 1

Planning a Network Topology

Administrators must monitor many services that are essential to a large network at reg-

ular intervals to ensure they are operating properly. This monitoring can include regu-

lar examination of logs, function testing, and network traffic analysis. The network

administrator must be capable of configuring these services to log the appropriate

information and of using Windows Server 2003 tools such as Network Monitor and the

Performance console. However, an administrator who is familiar with the use of these

tools does not necessarily know what elements to monitor, what performance levels to

expect, and how to interpret the log entries. To know how to do these things, the

administrator must be familiar with the network infrastructure and with the normal

operations of the network so that any deviation from the baseline is apparent.

Troubleshooting is one of the primary maintenance functions of a network administra-

tor. Although much of the infrastructure design and implementation process revolves

around the creation of a robust network, problems do occur, and in a large organiza-

tion, network failures can mean reduced productivity and loss of revenue. To deter-

mine the location of a problem and decide on a course of action to remedy it, an

administrator must be closely acquainted with the network infrastructure.

Lesson Review

The following questions are intended to reinforce key information presented in this

lesson. If you are unable to answer a question, review the lesson materials and try the

question again. You can find answers to the questions in the “Questions and Answers”

section at the end of this chapter.

1. Which of the following statements about a network’s infrastructure is true?

a. A network infrastructure includes hardware products only.

b. A network infrastructure includes software products only.

c. A network infrastructure includes both hardware and software products.

d. A network infrastructure is a design that does not include specific hardware

or software products.

2. Which type of network infrastructure includes the selection of the network and

transport layer protocols that are to be used on the network?