What complications should I prepare for that can arise during a deployment?
The supporting infrastructure tends to be a major hurdle in these deployments. If the bandwidth management method is software-based, then additional server hardware is needed. If it is hardware-based, then it is important to consider where in the topology the bandwidth management device is going to be placed. Typically, it goes between the network and the Internet. Where this puts the firewall in each scenario will have an impact on performance.
 |
| About the author |
| Ron Barrett is the founder of RARE-TECH, an IT training and consulting company. Ron is a specialist in network, security and IT management infrastructure. Be sure to catch Ron's daily blog, "A Better Windows World," on Network World's Microsoft subnet. |
|
|
|
|
The throughput of the device will also affect performance. The experience of the staff is another major hurdle, so good knowledge transfer is an important key to a successful deployment. Taking time to interview the IT staff and get a grasp of their understanding of bandwidth management will help in preparing materials that will benefit the client after the project is complete. Documenting the process is the key to good knowledge transfer. It is important to consider all steps and configurations and to go over these with the customer at the end of the deployment. A successful knowledge transfer starts at the beginning of the project.
Return to the bandwidth management FAQ guide and read the rest of Ron's expert responses.
