Planning a network
Before a single cable is run or a device is purchased, a well-designed network starts with a plan. Choosing the right devices and the right connection types for each role in the network determines whether the finished network will perform reliably under real workloads.
What this topic covers
- › 3.1.A — Determining the right endpoint devices for each role in a segmented network
- › 3.1.B — Determining the number and type of network connections required, including wireless coverage, wired ports, and routers
Why planning matters
A segmented network serves many types of users simultaneously — guests, standard employees, high-performance workstations, servers, and administrators each have different device and connectivity needs. Choosing the wrong device for a role, or the wrong connection type, results in bottlenecks, reliability failures, and security gaps before the network even goes live.
Choosing endpoint devices (3.1.A)
The devices needed for a segmented network vary based on the user role and the performance requirements of that role. Several different types of endpoints are commonly used.
Laptops — general users
Laptops are preferred for users who need to interact with multiple browser-based platforms, type frequently, or multitask across applications. Their combination of portability, full keyboard input, and sufficient processing power makes them the standard choice for knowledge workers.
Best for: office workers, teachers, students doing written work
Tablets & smartphones — mobile data entry
Tablets and smartphones are suitable for mobile access to forms or dashboards to view and update data quickly. Their touchscreens and portability make them ideal for data entry on the move, but they are not designed for extended typing or complex multitasking.
Best for: field staff, inventory workers, floor managers
High-performance desktops & gaming laptops
Environments that require high frame rates and low input latency — such as esports, cybersecurity competitions, video editing, 3D rendering, and large data analysis — require gaming consoles, desktops, or high-performance laptops. Standard consumer laptops cannot reliably sustain these workloads.
Best for: esports teams, video editors, data scientists, cybersecurity labs
Wired desktops & workstations — management & servers
Management workstations and local servers should be desktops or high-performance laptops with wired Ethernet ports. These devices require reliable, consistent access to administrative tools such as file hosting, streaming, and network management interfaces. Wireless connectivity introduces variability that is not acceptable for these critical roles.
Best for: network admins, servers, NAS, livestreaming equipment
Choosing connections (3.1.B)
Once the right devices have been selected, the next decision is how each device connects to the network. Connection choices affect performance, security, scalability, and cost.
Wireless networks
Wireless networks provide scalable access for many devices without requiring individual cable runs. A well-planned wireless deployment creates separate SSIDs for different user types:
- › Guest network: Basic internet access for visitors; no routing to internal resources
- › Internal network: Full access to tools and platforms for standard users
- › Administrator network: Secure, mobile access to administrative tools and data
WAP capacity limits
One wireless access point (WAP) can typically support 30–50 mobile devices or up to 20 computers or laptops. Wireless signal strength decreases with distance and obstacles such as walls or electromagnetic interference (EMI), so large or irregularly shaped spaces may require multiple WAPs.
Wired connections
Wired Ethernet connections should be used for devices that require high reliability, low latency, or large data transfers. Wireless variability is not acceptable for these roles:
- › High-performance or gaming computers on the internal user network
- › Management workstations, servers, and livestreaming equipment on the internal staff network
Switch port planning
Each wired device requires a port on a network switch. Planning must account for: total number of wired devices, available ports per switch, number and length of cables needed, and the number of switches required. Running out of switch ports forces an unplanned expansion.
Routers and default gateways
When a segmented network has multiple subnets or segments, a router is required to allow devices on different segments to communicate with each other and with the internet.
Routers connect different network segments together and direct data between them based on IP addresses. Each device in a segmented network must be configured with a default gateway — which is the router's IP address on that segment. Without a correct default gateway, the device cannot send data to any other segment or reach the internet.
Example two-segment setup
| Segment | Subnet | Default gateway |
|---|---|---|
| Staff network | 192.168.1.0/24 | 192.168.1.1 |
| Guest network | 192.168.2.0/24 | 192.168.2.1 |
Devices on the staff network have gateway 192.168.1.1; devices on the guest network have 192.168.2.1. The router connects both segments and routes traffic between them according to its routing table and firewall rules.
Planning summary
| Role / need | Device type | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Typing, multitasking, browser-based work | Laptop | Wi-Fi (internal) |
| Mobile data entry, forms, dashboards | Tablet or smartphone | Wi-Fi (internal) |
| High frame rates, low latency (esports, rendering) | Gaming PC / high-performance laptop | Wired Ethernet |
| Network administration, file servers | Desktop / wired workstation | Wired Ethernet |
| Visitor internet access | Any personal device | Wi-Fi (guest SSID) |