The Art of Network Architecture ― Business-Driven Design

Today, both architects and business leaders understand the importance of networks to competitive advantage. Recognizing this, they are seeking better ways to architect and evolve networks based on the current and future needs of the business. The Art of Network Architecture is the first book that places business needs and capabilities at the center of the process of architecting and evolving networks, where it belongs.

Three pioneering network architects show how to evaluate both business and application requirements from a network designer's perspective, identifying crucial upfront questions that can help you shape networks that support current business strategy and provide flexibility for the future. You'll learn how to:

• Deepen interactions between business and technology in your organization, and improve the effectiveness of those interactions
• Face down challenges of complexity and cost in environments where the business changes faster than the network can
• Frame the problem(s) and conceptualize the optimal network solution
• Reflect operational realities, cost issues, and application support in your design
• Fully leverage the benefits of modularity, hierarchy, and virtualization
• Build networks that are more manageable and more resistant to security failures
• Make better choices about topology, virtualization, and routing

The authors conclude with three chapter-length case studies: designing an L3VPN core; outsourcing to a cloud service; and supporting “Bring Your Own Device.”

Russ White, CCIE No. 2635, is a principal engineer in the IPOS team at Ericsson. He has worked in routing protocols and routed network design for the past 15 years. Russ has spoken at Cisco Live, Interop, LACNOG, and other global industry venues. He is actively involved in the IETF and the ISOC, has co-authored more than 30 software patents in the area of network protocols, and has co-authored nine books in the area of network protocols, design, and architecture. He holds a Master of Information Technology in Network Design and Architecture from Capella University and a Master of Christian Ministry in Christian literature from Shepherds Theological Seminary.

Denise Donohue, CCIE No. 9566 (Routing and Switching), is a senior solutions architect with Chesapeake NetCraftsmen. Denise has worked with computer systems since the mid-1990s, focusing on network design since 2004. During that time she has designed for a wide range of networks, private and public, of all sizes, across most industries. Denise has also authored or co-authored many Cisco Press books covering data and voice networking technologies and spoken at Cisco Live and other industry events.