Enterprise Network Testing
Testing Throughout the Network Lifecycle to Maximize Availability and Performance
Andy Sholomon, CCIE® No. 15179
Tom Kunath, CCIE No. 1679
The complete guide to using testing to reduce risk and downtime in advanced enterprise networks
Testing has become crucial to meeting enterprise expectations of near-zero network downtime. Enterprise Network Testing is the first comprehensive guide to all facets of enterprise network testing. Cisco enterprise consultants Andy Sholomon and Tom Kunath offer a complete blueprint and best-practice methodologies for testing any new network system, product, solution, or advanced technology.
Sholomon and Kunath begin by explaining why it is important to test and how network professionals can leverage structured system testing to meet specific business goals. Then, drawing on their extensive experience with enterprise clients, they present several detailed case studies. Through real-world examples, you learn how to test architectural "proofs of concept," specific network features, network readiness for use, migration processes, security, and more.
Enterprise Network Testing contains easy-to-adapt reference test plans for branches, WANs/MANs, data centers, and campuses. The authors also offer specific guidance on testing many key network technologies, including MPLS/VPN, QoS, VoIP, video, IPsec VPNs, advanced routing (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP), and Data Center Fabrics.
§ Understand why, when, and how you should test your network
§ Use testing to discover critical network design flaws
§ Incorporate structured systems testing into enterprise architecture strategy
§ Utilize testing to improve decision-making throughout the network lifecycle
§ Develop an effective testing organization and lab facility
§ Choose and use test services providers
§ Scope, plan, and manage network test assignments
§ nLeverage the best commercial, free, and IOS test tools
§ Successfully execute test plans, including crucial low-level details
§ Minimize the equipment required to test large-scale networks
§ Identify gaps in network readiness
§ Validate and refine device configurations
§ Certify new hardware, operating systems, and software features
§ Test data center performance and scalability
§ Leverage test labs for hands-on technology training
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.
Autorentext
Andy Sholomon, CCIE No. 15179, works as a Network Consulting Engineer (NCE) in Cisco's Central Engineering Performance and Validation Testing team. He routinely plans and performs network testing for some of Cisco's largest Enterprise customers. In his six years at Cisco, Andy has been involved in both planning and deploying some of the largest enterprise data centers in the United States. He has also worked with some of Cisco's large service provider customers. Before joining Cisco, Andy worked as a Network Engineer in the global financial industry, spending 5 years at UBS in multiple roles, including security engineering, and worked as a Systems Engineer at Spear, Leeds & Kellogg (now a part of Goldman Sachs Group). Andy has been a speaker at the Cisco Live Networkers Conference. Besides the CCIE, Andy holds multiple industry certifications, including the CISSP and MCSE. Andy lives with his wife, daughter, and Great Dane in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Tom Kunath, CCIE No. 1679, is a Solutions Architect in Cisco's Advanced Services Central Engineering team, where he works as a design and test consulting engineer. With nearly 20 years in the networking industry, Tom has helped design, deploy, and operate many of Cisco's largest Enterprise and Financial customer networks. Before joining Cisco, Tom worked at Juniper Networks' Professional Services Group as a Resident Engineer supporting several service provider IP and MPLS backbones, and prior to that as a Principal Consultant at International Network Services (INS). In addition to his CCIE, Tom holds several industry certifications, including a Juniper JNCIS and Nortel Networks Router Expert. Tom lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.
Inhalt
Part I Introduction to Enterprise Network Testing
Chapter 1 A Business Case for Enterprise Network Testing 3
Why Testing Is Important 3
The Network as a Business Platform 4
The Cost of Network Downtime 5
Network Changes and Downtime 7
Testing in Support of Change Control 7
Testing and the Pursuit of "Five Nines" 9
A Structured Approach to Systems Testing 13
Step 1: Assessment 13
Step 2: Test Planning 13
Step 3: Setup 14
Step 4: Execution 14
Step 5: Results 14
Summary 15
Chapter 2 Testing Throughout the Network Lifecycle 17
Enterprise and Network Architecture Primer 17
How the Enterprise Architecture Comes Together 18
Following a Convergence Vision 19
The Cisco Lifecycle Services Approach (PPDIOO) 21
PPDIOO Phase 1: Prepare 21
PPDIOO Phase 2: Plan 21
PPDIOO Phase 3: Design 22
PPDIOO Phase 4: Implement 22
PPDIOO Phase 5: Operate 22
PPDIOO Phase 6: Optimize 22
Testing and the Network Lifecycle 24
Prepare Phase: Design and Test Activities 24
Customer Requirements Document 24
Network Architectural Strategy Development 25
Business Case Document 25
Network Testing and Lab Strategy Development 25
Facilities Readiness Assessments 26
Plan Phase: Design and Test Activities 27
Architecture Design Workshops 27
Current Architectural Assessment 27
High-Level Design 28
Proof of Concept Testing 28
Network Readiness Testing 28
Network Capacity Planning and Testing 29
Design Phase: Design and Test Activities 29
Low-Level Design 29
Migration Plan 30
Design Verification Testing 30
Migration Plan Testing 31
Implement Phase: Deliverables and Test Activities 31
Network Implementation Plan 31
Network Ready for Use Test 32
Operate Phase: Deliverables and Test Activities 32
Hands-On Lab Training 32
Re-creation of Network Problems 32
Optimize Phase: Deliverables and Test Activities 33
Predeployment Testing for Minor Design Changes 33
Software Acceptance Testing 33
Summary 34
Chapter 3 Testing and Lab Strategy Development 35
Cost Analysis and Resource Planning 36
Estimating CAPEX Necessary to Create a New Test Lab 36
Environmental Considerations 36
Estimated OPEX to Operate a Test Lab 44
Staffing 44
Power 44
Physical Facility 45
Maintenance Obligations 45
Other OPEX 46
Test Organization Financing Models 46
Cost of Business 46
Project-Based Funding 47
Departmental Chargeback 47
Testing as a Business Function 47
Return on Investment 47
Outsourced Testing 48
Test Lab Facilities Design 49
Functional Lab Design: Selecting the Hardware and Software 49
Physical Design 50
Equipment Cabinet Floor Plan Layout 53
Test Lab Operations 56
Test Organization Charter 56
Team Roles and Responsibilities 57
Management Systems 58
Equipment Inventory System 58
Equipment Sched…