Scalable Corporate LAN Deployment with Cisco Catalyst 9400 & Pepwave AP One

Scalable Corporate LAN Deployment with Cisco Catalyst 9400 & Pepwave AP One

Author

Hooman Houtaham

Network and Security Engineer

Overview:

In 2018, NETSSA was commissioned to deploy a scalable corporate LAN infrastructure for a growing enterprise client. The existing network was struggling to keep up with increasing demands for bandwidth and network performance due to the rapid expansion of the company. The project involved the deployment of Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches as the core and distribution layer, Pepwave AP One access points for wireless connectivity, and centralized network management using Peplink InControl2. This upgrade resulted in a 40% reduction in network latency and a 50% increase in network capacity, providing the client with a robust and scalable LAN infrastructure capable of supporting future growth.

Objective:

Reduce Network Latency: Implement a high-performance LAN infrastructure that reduces network latency by 40%, ensuring faster data transfer and improved application performance.
Increase Network Capacity: Enhance the network’s capacity by 50% to support more users and devices without degradation in performance.
Centralize Network Management: Deploy a solution that allows for centralized management and monitoring of the entire network infrastructure to streamline operations and reduce management overhead.
Scalable Infrastructure: Design and implement a network that can scale easily with the company’s growth, accommodating additional users, devices, and services.

Technologies Used:

Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switches: Deployed as the core and distribution layer switches to provide high-performance, modular, and scalable network infrastructure with advanced Layer 3 capabilities.
Pepwave AP One Access Points: Installed to deliver high-speed wireless connectivity across the corporate campus, with seamless integration into the wired network.
Peplink InControl2: Used for centralized management and monitoring of all network devices, including switches, routers, and access points.
VLANs and QoS: Configured to optimize traffic flow, prioritize critical applications, and ensure efficient use of network resources.

Detailed Networking and Configuration

LAN Infrastructure Deployment
- Core Switching Infrastructure (Cisco Catalyst 9400):
  - Deployed Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches at the core and distribution layers to provide a high-speed, modular network backbone with advanced Layer 3 routing and switching capabilities.
  - Configured VLANs for network segmentation, ensuring that traffic was efficiently routed and isolated according to the client’s security and performance requirements.
  - Implemented Quality of Service (QoS) policies to prioritize critical applications and optimize bandwidth usage across the network.
- Wireless Network Deployment (Pepwave AP One):
  - Installed Pepwave AP One access points throughout the corporate campus to deliver high-speed wireless connectivity with robust coverage and performance.
  - Configured the access points for seamless integration with the wired network, utilizing VLAN tagging and QoS to ensure that wireless traffic was efficiently managed and prioritized.
- Centralized Management (Peplink InControl2):
  - Integrated all network devices, including Cisco Catalyst switches and Pepwave access points, into Peplink InControl2 for centralized management and monitoring.
  - Set up automated alerts, detailed reporting, and real-time monitoring to proactively manage network performance and address potential issues before they impacted operations.
Implementation and Integration
- Network Design and Planning:
  - Conducted a thorough analysis of the client’s existing network infrastructure to identify areas of improvement and determine the best approach for the upgrade.
  - Developed a detailed deployment plan that included the installation of Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches, Pepwave AP One access points, and the integration of Peplink InControl2 for centralized management.
- Deployment and Configuration:
  - Deployed Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches at the core of the network, ensuring that the backbone was capable of handling the increased traffic load and supporting future expansion.
  - Installed Pepwave AP One access points across the campus, strategically placed to provide optimal wireless coverage and performance.
  - Configured Peplink InControl2 to centralize the management of all network devices, enabling real-time monitoring and streamlined operations.
- Testing and Validation:
  - Performed comprehensive testing to validate the performance improvements achieved by the new LAN infrastructure, including latency measurements, throughput testing, and stress testing under peak loads.
  - Ensured that the network met the client’s performance and scalability requirements, providing a robust foundation for future growth.
Performance Optimization and Scalability
- Latency Reduction:
  - Achieved a 40% reduction in network latency by deploying high-performance Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches and optimizing network paths through advanced routing and switching protocols.
  - Enhanced wireless performance by deploying Pepwave AP One access points with integrated QoS policies, ensuring that critical applications received the necessary bandwidth and priority.
- Capacity Increase:
  - Increased network capacity by 50% through the use of modular Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches, which allowed for easy expansion as the client’s network needs grew.
  - Deployed additional Pepwave AP One access points to ensure that wireless capacity could scale in line with the growing number of users and devices.
- Scalability and Future-Proofing:
  - Designed the network to be highly scalable, with modular components that could be easily upgraded or expanded as the company’s needs evolved.
  - Prepared the network for future technological advancements, such as the integration of SDN (Software-Defined Networking) and the deployment of IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
Centralized Management and Security
- Peplink InControl2 Integration:
  - Configured Peplink InControl2 to manage and monitor all network devices, providing a single pane of glass for network administrators to oversee operations.
  - Enabled automated reporting and alerting features, ensuring that any potential issues were identified and resolved promptly.
- Enhanced Security Measures:
  - Integrated advanced security features such as 802.1X authentication and ACLs into the Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches to secure network access and protect sensitive data.
  - Configured the Peplink InControl2 platform to enforce security policies across both the wired and wireless networks, ensuring consistent protection against unauthorized access and network breaches.

Skills Gained:

Proficiency in deploying and configuring Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches for high-performance, scalable LAN environments.
Advanced skills in wireless network deployment using Pepwave AP One access points.
Expertise in centralized network management and monitoring using Peplink InControl2.
Strong knowledge of network security practices, including 802.1X authentication, VLAN segmentation, and QoS policies.

Results and Impact:

40% Reduction in Network Latency: The deployment of Cisco Catalyst 9400 switches and Pepwave AP One access points resulted in a significant reduction in network latency, providing faster data transfer and improved application performance.
50% Increase in Network Capacity: The upgraded LAN infrastructure increased network capacity by 50%, enabling the client to support more users and devices without compromising performance.
Centralized Network Management: The integration of Peplink InControl2 allowed for centralized management and monitoring of the entire network, streamlining operations and reducing management overhead.
Enhanced Security and Control: The upgraded network infrastructure included advanced security features to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches, ensuring the client’s sensitive information remained secure.

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