The BZW Canary Wharf network architecture is based on a modular design that enables BZW to scale the infrastructure from tens of users to several thousand. Each floor or switching domain consists of several user switches or access switches connected to two Catalyst 5000s. All software on the workstations is standard, and user-configured software sits on a server. If a workstation breaks down, a user can move to a spare desk, log on to the system, and be up and running in seconds with an identical display. The same standardization applies to back office desktops.
Moves take place regularly.
This ability to physically shift workers quickly from one spot to another is also important for teams of traders who may need to form or disband and regroup. The task of consolidating multiple offices into one required sophisticated logistics. Moving systems and people simultaneously over one weekend posed too great a risk. Colin Austin, BZW's Head of Global Networks, managed that risk by moving systems ahead of people. To enable this strategy, Austin's team installed temporary additional bandwidth to augment the FDDI MANs that linked the existing London locations with the new Canary Wharf site.