You always have time to do it over, so it's best to take the time to do it right the first time. A standard plan for branch-office connectivity often evolves as the first few branches are installed and connected to the central site. Network managers can start with a general plan and add details refined during the first few installations, says Computer Networks' Botti. For instance, network managers might define and order their frame-relay circuit and speed requirements, which will be based on the number of users at the branch. Then, while waiting for the circuit from the service provider, which can take two to eight weeks, they should consult an established plan for adding more bandwidth to the central site's data pipe to accommodate the additional branches.
Managers often have to respond to demands for immediately connecting branch offices to headquarters.
For these people, mobilization is key. These managers will first connect such sites over modems or ISDN on a limited basis or provide multiple dial-up connections to the Internet coming back through a secure infrastructure. A cost-conscious key to this temporary fix, he adds, is to use equipment that can later be moved along to the next site. A complementary strategy in developing a template for branch-office connectivity is network homogeneity. To get branches up and running smoothly, the plan should minimize the number of routing protocols and maintain consistency in terms of equipment and software when possible.