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Enterprise LAN Upgrade with Cisco Catalyst 9300, Pepwave HD2, and Peplink Balance 305

Hooman Houtaham's avatar

Author

Hooman Houtaham

Network and Security Engineer

Overview:

In 2017, NETSSA was tasked with upgrading the LAN infrastructure of a major enterprise client to address the growing demands for higher network throughput and performance. The existing LAN infrastructure, while functional, was no longer sufficient to meet the increasing needs for bandwidth-intensive applications and high-speed data transfer. The upgrade project involved the deployment of Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches, Pepwave HD2 routers, and a Peplink Balance 305 gateway with Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) functionality. This comprehensive upgrade resulted in a 10x increase in network throughput and a 60% improvement in overall network performance, significantly enhancing the client’s ability to support mission-critical applications.

Objective:

  • Increase Network Throughput: Achieve a 10x increase in LAN throughput to support high-speed data transfer and bandwidth-intensive applications.
  • Enhance Network Performance: Improve overall network performance by 60% through the deployment of advanced switching and routing technologies.
  • Optimize Network Infrastructure: Upgrade the existing LAN infrastructure with modern, scalable solutions to future-proof the network and accommodate growth.
  • Centralize Wireless Management: Integrate a centralized Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) to manage and optimize wireless network performance.

Technologies Used:

  • Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switches: Deployed as the core and access layer switches to provide high-performance, high-density network connectivity with advanced Layer 3 capabilities.
  • Pepwave HD2 Routers: Utilized for WAN connectivity, offering dual cellular LTE connectivity with seamless failover and load balancing.
  • Peplink Balance 305 Gateway: Implemented as the central gateway with integrated WLC functionality, providing centralized management and optimization of the wireless network.
  • Wireless LAN Controller (WLC): Integrated within the Peplink Balance 305, enabling centralized control of wireless access points across the enterprise network.

Detailed Networking and Configuration

  1. LAN Infrastructure Upgrade
    • Switching Infrastructure (Cisco Catalyst 9300):
      • Deployed Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches at both the core and access layers to provide high-speed network connectivity with advanced Layer 3 routing capabilities.
      • Configured the switches for enhanced network performance, utilizing features such as VLAN segmentation, QoS (Quality of Service), and EtherChannel for link aggregation.
      • Implemented advanced security features, including 802.1X authentication and ACLs (Access Control Lists), to secure network access and protect sensitive data.
    • WAN Connectivity (Pepwave HD2):
      • Installed Pepwave HD2 routers to provide robust WAN connectivity, utilizing dual cellular LTE connections for seamless failover and load balancing.
      • Configured the routers for optimal performance, ensuring that mission-critical applications had prioritized access to bandwidth and that traffic was efficiently distributed across available WAN links.
    • Gateway and Wireless Management (Peplink Balance 305):
      • Deployed a Peplink Balance 305 gateway to manage all WAN and LAN traffic, providing centralized control and monitoring of network performance.
      • Integrated Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) functionality within the Peplink Balance 305, enabling centralized management of all wireless access points and ensuring consistent wireless performance across the enterprise.
  2. Implementation and Integration
    • Network Design and Planning:
      • Conducted a comprehensive assessment of the existing network infrastructure to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
      • Developed a detailed implementation plan to upgrade the LAN infrastructure, including the deployment of Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches, Pepwave HD2 routers, and the Peplink Balance 305 gateway.
    • Deployment and Configuration:
      • Installed and configured Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches at both the core and access layers, ensuring that the network was optimized for high-speed data transfer and high-density connectivity.
      • Deployed Pepwave HD2 routers for reliable WAN connectivity, with dual cellular LTE connections configured for automatic failover and load balancing.
      • Integrated the Peplink Balance 305 gateway with WLC functionality, enabling centralized management of wireless access points and ensuring consistent wireless performance.
    • Testing and Validation:
      • Performed extensive testing to validate the performance improvements achieved by the upgraded infrastructure, including throughput testing, latency measurements, and stress testing under peak loads.
      • Ensured that the upgraded network met the client’s performance requirements, with a focus on delivering high-speed connectivity and reliable wireless access.
  3. Performance Optimization and Scalability
    • Throughput Optimization:
      • Achieved a 10x increase in network throughput by upgrading to Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches, which provided high-speed Layer 3 routing and advanced switching capabilities.
      • Optimized WAN connectivity with Pepwave HD2 routers, ensuring that the dual cellular LTE connections were fully utilized for seamless failover and load balancing.
    • Performance Enhancement:
      • Improved overall network performance by 60% through the deployment of advanced QoS policies, VLAN segmentation, and EtherChannel link aggregation.
      • Enhanced wireless network performance by centralizing management through the Peplink Balance 305’s WLC functionality, ensuring consistent coverage and connectivity.
    • Scalability and Future-Proofing:
      • Designed the upgraded network infrastructure with scalability in mind, allowing for easy expansion as the client’s network needs grow.
      • Prepared the network for future upgrades, including support for additional wireless access points and higher bandwidth requirements.
  4. Centralized Management and Security
    • Peplink InControl2 Integration:
      • Configured Peplink InControl2 for centralized management and monitoring of all network devices, including Cisco Catalyst switches, Pepwave routers, and the Peplink Balance 305 gateway.
      • Set up alerts and reports to proactively manage network performance, ensuring that any issues were identified and resolved quickly.
    • Enhanced Security Measures:
      • Integrated advanced security features such as 802.1X authentication and ACLs into the Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches to secure network access and protect sensitive data.
      • Configured the Peplink Balance 305 gateway to enforce security policies across the LAN and WAN, ensuring that all traffic was monitored and controlled according to the client’s security requirements.

Skills Gained:

  • Expertise in deploying and configuring Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches for high-performance LAN environments.
  • Advanced skills in WAN optimization using Pepwave HD2 routers and Peplink Balance gateways.
  • Proficiency in centralized wireless management using Peplink’s integrated WLC functionality.
  • Strong knowledge of network security practices, including 802.1X authentication, ACLs, and QoS policies.

Results and Impact:

  • 10x Increase in Network Throughput: The upgrade to Cisco Catalyst 9300 switches and Pepwave HD2 routers resulted in a tenfold increase in network throughput, enabling the client to support bandwidth-intensive applications and high-speed data transfer.
  • 60% Improvement in Network Performance: The overall network performance was enhanced by 60%, providing faster response times and improved reliability for both wired and wireless connections.
  • Centralized Wireless Management: The integration of WLC functionality within the Peplink Balance 305 gateway allowed for centralized control of wireless access points, ensuring consistent coverage and performance across the enterprise.
  • Enhanced Security and Control: The upgraded network infrastructure included advanced security features to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches, ensuring that the client’s sensitive information remained secure.

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