In building a network environment, it is a good practice to follow several
             important steps to achieve an efficient and easy to maintain network
             environment. The five most basic steps to follow when building a network
             are planning and design of a network, setting-up of a network, testing,
             implementation, and documentation of the network environment.
             Planning is a very critical and necessary stage, and must be the first
             phase to consider when building a network. A good network plan can prevent
             the existence of complex problems. Or, should a problem exist when the
             network is already functioning, it can help in the identification of
             possible solutions. From Community Resources Online, following are some
             important steps that may help you plan a network environment for a medium-
             1. Determine the minimum and maximum possible number of users of the
             network. This helps in identifying the types of hardware and software
             that must be implemented on the network.
             2. Determine the most suitable type of network connection (Client/Server,
             3. Will the users need a connection to the Internet or to other networks'
             If so, for data and security protection of the network, determine the
             4. Determine the most suitable operating system for the network (such as
             Windows NT or UNIX). Remember that some hardware and software are not
             compatible with some operating system. In this method, it is also
             important to first know what hardware and software peripherals the
             5. Determine the level of expertise or technical resources that are
             readily available to the business should a network problem exist.
             Knowing this factor helps in identifying the possible solutions that
             can be applied either temporarily or permanently for a quick
             resolution of network problems.
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