Maximize the potential of your small-medium business network with effective design solutions that cover network security, IP telephony, unified communications, wireless networks, and CRM. Design and implement effective network solutions by mastering the design process that is used by successful networking professionals Understand the diversity of solutions for the SMB environment, avoiding the pitfalls of the one-size-fits-all approach Create effective and customizable security solutions across the spectrum of SMB types and sizes Exploit the trend of universal communications convergence by expanding into the VoIP market with the Cisco IP Telephony and unified communication solutions Break into the fast-growing CRM marketplace with the Cisco CRM integration solutions Implement wireless LAN solutions that facilitate productivity and workforce optimization In today's business world, investing in technology solutions that improve productivity and save money is critical, but the road to a modern, technology-driven business is full of pitfalls. Cisco Network Design Solutions for Small-Medium Businesses zeros in on critical solutions for networking professionals who are deploying computer networks within a small-medium business (SMB). You'll learn about core networking issues and associated solutions, including security, IP telephony, unified communications, customer relations management (CRM), wireless LANs, and more within this complete design guide. Cisco Network Design Solutions for Small-Medium Businesses is separated into two parts. Part I helps you explore the network design process, survey the SMB landscape, and identify your network requirements from the edge to the core for an effective solution implementation. Part II delves into security, CRM, IP telephony, unified messaging, IP/TV, and wireless LAN solutions, which can save businesses critical time and money. For networking professionals, Cisco Network Design Solutions for Small-Medium Businesses is a one-stop reference and design guide for the effective implementation of SMB networking solutions that enhance the bottom-line. Peter Rybaczyk has been engaged in multiple technology disciplines since 1979, including applications development, database administration, network design and administration, technical writing and editing, professional IT training, and IT consulting. Additionally, during his career, Peter has owned several IT consulting businesses, and currently, his privately held firm, Convergent Netcom Services, is located in Tucson, Arizona. He has delivered more than a hundred IT seminars to audiences in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia and has consulted and worked with Fortune 500 companies and numerous small to medium-sized businesses, covering multiple vertical markets, including wholesale and retail distribution, health care, law practice, insurance, finance, manufacturing, and telecommunications. He also wrote Cisco Router Troubleshooting Handbook and Novell's Internet Plumbing Handbook and coauthored PC Network Administration. Peter holds a B.S. degree in physics and several industry certifications, including CNE, CCNA, and CCNP. This book is part of the Networking Technology Series from Cisco Press which offers networking professionals valuable information for constructing efficient networks, understanding new technologies, and building successful careers.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Part I      Network Design Process and Solutions Overview for SMBs Chapter 1            Effective Networking Solution Design Process Step 1: Identifying Stakeholder Requirements Management (Executive and Line of Business) IT Department End Users Customers Vendors Output from the Requirements Identification Stage Step 2: Validating Stakeholder Requirements Achieving Consensus Assigning Priorities Output from the Validation of Requirements Stage Step 3: Creating and Reviewing the Draft Design Document Identifying the Physical Network Topology Determining Measurable Performance Requirements Formulating a Viable Budget Creating a Realistic Completion Timeline Step 4: Creating a Final Design Document Before Implementation Networking Solution Implementation Considerations Sources of Implementation Expertise Project Management During Implementation Performance Testing Documentation Training Putting It All Together Summary Chapter 2            SMB Networking Environments and Solutions Design Considerations One Name, a Multitude of Shapes and Sizes Business Sectors Business Sizes Business Missions The Pitfalls of the One-Size-Fits-All Approach SMB Networking Solutions Design Considerations Network and Data Security Design Considerations Remote Access Design Considerations Wireless Design Considerations IP Telephony Design Considerations Partner Collaboration Design Considerations Customer Care Design Considerations Front Office/Back Office Integration Solution Identification and Discovery Process for SMBs The Case Against and for a Security Solution The Case Against and for a Remote Access Solution The Case Against and for a Collaboration with Partners Solution The Case Against and for a Customer Care Solution The Case Against and for a Front Office/Back Office Integration Solution Summary Chapter 3            Network Infrastructure Requirements for Effective Solutions Implementation The Telecom Closets Patch Panels, Horizontal Cabling, and Work-Area Cabling Switches Routers Data Centers or Computer Rooms Network Servers Network Storage Power Protection The User Desktop Environment Workstations Network Printers and Other Peripherals Network Upgrades Planning Sources of Upgrades Expertise: The Who Upgrades Timing: The When Upgrades Impact: The How Upgrades Cost: The How Much Applications, E-Mail, and Network-Management Tools The Impact of Applications E-Mail Options Network-Management Methods Summary Part II      SMB Networking Design Solutions Chapter 4      Overview of the Network Security Issues Categories of Security Threats Information Corruption Information Disclosure Repudiation and Lack of Authentication and Authorization Denial of Service What Security Threats Mean to an SMB What if My Website Is Defaced? What if My Website Is Inaccessible? What if Someone Intercepts and Reads My E-Mails? What if My Customers Can’t Send Me E-Mail? What if Unauthorized Personnel Gain Access to My Internal Databases? What if Unauthorized Employees Get into My Payroll Files? Which to Fear More: Internal or External Security Threats Strong Authentication Granularity in Authorization Restricting Network Access Physical Security Encrypting Sensitive Information Network Segmentation Security Procedures Important to SMB Success Security Threat Antidotes Information Integrity Information Confidentiality Nonrepudiation, Authentication, and Authorization System Availability The Importance of Having a Security Policy Summary Chapter 5      Cisco Security Solutions Virtual Private Networks VPN Deployment Considerations VPN Deployment Scenarios The Cisco VPN 3000 Series Concentrator Family VPN-Capable Routers Firewalls Firewall Deployment Considerations The Cisco PIX Product Line and the IOS Firewall Intrusion Detection Systems IDS Deployment Considerations Cisco IDS Product Lines Router Security Features Router Security Deployment Considerations Implementing Routing Protocols Security Summary Chapter 6   The Wireless LAN Solution WLAN-Specific Security Considerations WLAN Security Threats WLAN Security Mechanisms WLAN Sound Security Practices WLAN Performance and Topology Considerations WLAN Performance Considerations WLAN Topology Considerations WLAN Components Radio Frequencies, Transmit Power, and Antennae Access Points and Wireless Bridges Wireless Routers Wireless Clients The Cisco WLAN (Aironet) Products Family The 1400 Series Bridges The 1200 Series Access Points The Aironet Antennae The Aironet Clients WLAN Deployment Scenarios A Small Office or Workgroup Deployment An Enterprise Deployment A Telecommuters Deployment Summary Chapter 7      Customer Relationship Management Solutions CRM Deployment Considerations Modes of the SMB’s Interactions with Customers Customer Information Accessibility SMB’s Customer Categorization Capability Levels of Commitment to CRM Analytics Tools and Metrics Popular CRMs’ Relationship to Cisco Products E.piphany CRM SAP mySAP PeopleSoft CRM Pegasystems Customer Process Manager Microsoft CRM Cisco Solutions for CRM Integration Cisco ICM Product Family Cisco IP Contact Center IP Interactive Voice Response Application Which CRM Solution Is Right for My SMB? I Am a Retail Outlet I Am a Bank I Am a Manufacturer I Am a Hospital or a Health Clinic Summary Chapter 8   IP Telephony Solutions IP Telephony Deployment Considerations QoS Factors Single Communications Infrastructure for Voice and Data Open Standards Protocols Common OS Hardware Platforms IP Telephony Components and Protocols Gateways Gatekeepers Software-Based PBXes IP Phones VoIP Protocols Cisco IP Telephony Solutions Integrated IP Telephony Solutions CallManager Deployment Options CallManager Integration with Legacy PBX CallManager Dial Plan Configuration Considerations IP Telephony Voice Applications Cisco IP Phones Cisco ISP/Carrier Solution Summary Chapter 9      Unified Communications Solutions Deployment Considerations for Unified Messaging Solutions The Cisco Unity Solution Message Centralization Text-to-Speech Capability Multilanguage Capability Global Administration via the Cisco Unity Administrator Personalized Administration via the Cisco Unity Assistant and Inbox The Cisco IP/TV Solution Deployment Considerations for Movie-Quality Video to the Desktop IP/TV Solution Components The Value of an Intranet in an SMB Environment Human Resources Services and Announcements IT Help Desk Support Summary Chapter 10      Front and Back Office Integration Solutions Getting Past the Jargon Front Office: Concepts and Applications Back Office: Concepts and Applications Enterprise Applications Integration Tools Is Integration for Me? Integration Challenges The Case for Integration The Case Against Integration The Integrators The Synergex Solutions IT Consultants with Programming Skills In-House Analyst Summary Epilogue    The Future of SMB Networking Bibliography Index