This redbook identifies some of the basic design aspects of IP networks and explains how to deal with them when implementing new IP networks or redesigning existing IP networks. This project focuses on internetwork and transport layer issues such as address and name management, routing, network management, security, load balancing and performance, design impacts of the underlying networking hardware, remote access, quality of service, and platform-specific issues. Application design aspects, such as e-mail, gateways, Web integration, etc., are discussed briefly where they influence the design of an IP network.

After a general discussion of the aforementioned design areas, this redbook provides three examples for IP network design, depicting a small, medium and large network. You are taken through the steps of the design and the reasoning as to why things are shown one way instead of another. Of course, every network is different and therefore these examples are not intended to generalize. Their main purpose is to illustrate a systematic approach to an IP network design given a specific set of requirements, expectations, technologies and budgets.

This redbook will help you design, create or change IP networks implementing the basic logical infrastructures required for a successful operation of such networks. This book does not describe how to deploy corporate applications such as e-mail, e-commerce, Web server or distributed databases, just to name a few.