The opening date is set, the furniture and fit-out are ready, and only a few days before opening does it turn out that the internet is not connected yet, there are too few network jacks and the computers cannot reach the accounting software at headquarters. Like every other part of the project, the branch network has to be planned weeks in advance. Work through this checklist in order.
Phase 1: Site Survey and Requirements
- List the number of users, computers, printers, phones, cameras and card terminals or point-of-sale devices.
- Choose a location for the network rack or cabinet: a place with good ventilation, away from water and out of reach of unauthorized people.
- Mark the cabling routes and the number of network jacks in each room on the floor plan, and allow a few extra ports for future growth.
- Check the power situation: a dedicated outlet for the rack, proper grounding and space for a UPS.
- Decide where access points will go for full Wi-Fi coverage.
Phase 2: Order the Internet Before Anything Else
Getting an internet link installed, especially fiber, can take time, so it should be the very first order. Plan for at least two links from two different providers or, if the budget is tight, one primary link and a cellular backup. For the VPN connection, at least headquarters must have a static IP address; a static IP at the branch also makes troubleshooting and remote management easier.
Phase 3: Design Before You Buy
- Choose the branch IP address range based on the company-wide addressing plan so it does not overlap with headquarters or other branches.
- Define the VLANs: Users, phones, cameras, guests and management devices.
- Buy equipment based on the design: A firewall with VPN capability, a managed switch with PoE for phones and access points, and a UPS for the network equipment.
- Decide on central services: How will branch users reach Active Directory, the file server, the accounting software and the phone system? Does the branch need a local server, or will everything be served from headquarters?
Phase 4: Installation and Configuration
- Label and test all cables and jacks.
- Configure the firewall at headquarters before shipping it to the branch, and prepare the VPN tunnel as far as possible.
- Change the default passwords on all equipment and allow management access only from the management network or headquarters.
- Configure branch DHCP and DNS so users can resolve the names of headquarters servers.
- Join computers to the domain, install printers and set up phone extensions.
Phase 5: Testing Before Opening
At least one day before opening, test all daily tasks with a real user, from signing in and posting a financial transaction to printing an invoice and calling headquarters.
Also simulate a failure of the primary link to make sure internet, VPN and phones work on the backup link. Designate one member of the branch staff as the IT point of contact, so they can power-cycle a device or report the status lights when needed.
Phase 6: Documentation and Monitoring
Record the network diagram, addresses, link details, provider support numbers and equipment passwords in a secure place. Add the branch’s links and tunnel to your monitoring system as well, so an outage is spotted before staff call.
Checklist
- The requirements assessment and cabling plan are done.
- Two internet links were ordered in time.
- The IP range and VLANs are based on the company-wide plan.
- The firewall, PoE switch and UPS are installed and configured.
- Default passwords are changed and management access is restricted.
- Daily tasks and failover were tested before opening.
- Branch documentation and monitoring are complete.
ITPlus724 engineers can set up your new branch network, from design and cabling to a secure connection to headquarters and final testing.