Network design
How to design an office network step by step
By IPProtec · · 7 min read
Quick answer
To design an office network you start from an inventory of desks and devices, define cabling and rack location, size the gateway and PoE switches, plan WiFi by area, separate networks into VLANs and document everything before installing.
1. Inventory
- Fixed desks and laptops
- Printers and shared equipment
- IP phones
- Meeting room screens
- Cameras and access readers
- Expected growth over 3–5 years
2. Cabling and rack
At least one outlet per desk, Cat 6 or 6A cable, all terminated on a patch panel and labelled. The rack needs ventilation, a UPS and room to grow.
3. Network core
A gateway with firewall sized for the line and the security features you want to enable, and PoE switches with enough power budget for access points, phones and cameras.
4. WiFi by area
Open-plan areas, meeting rooms and reception have different needs. Each large room usually deserves its own access point.
5. Logical security
VLANs for staff, guests, telephony, cameras and printers, rules between zones and VPN for remote work.
6. Physical security
Access control at the entrance and the server room, and cameras at entrances. If they share the console with the network, they're managed from the same place.
7. Documentation
Point plan, network diagram, addressing and credentials. That's what lets any technician resolve an incident in minutes.