Written by Justin Case, IT Manager Executive Summary The purpose of this feasibility study is to determine the type of cabling

and related network devices required to improve the speed and reliability of our current LAN in our new facilities. Our current network is dated, sluggish, and unstable. A change of technology is required to increase the speed and reliability of our network. Our current LAN is a 10-BaseT Ethernet network, and there is no LAN in our new office space. This is an opportunity to create a LAN that can support our current business needs, be scalable for growth, and be cost effective. Defined Opportunity Our current network is nearly ten years old. The networks age, however, is not the problem; the problem is its capability to manage our companys growth into Internet publishing, online videos, and other Internet applications. As more users are creating and using Internet-based technologies, our network throughput is diminishing. As we prepare to move to a new facility, we have an opportunity to create our network with scalable, faster technology. The goal

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IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish

of this feasibility study is to determine what network options will best suit our current needs and allow us to continue to scale our networking demands. Assessed Technology: Install CAT5E Cabling for Our Entire Network
Install gigabit switches to segment and control network traffic. Upgrade wiring closet to gigabit equipment. Install 1000Base-T network cards in all compatible devices for faster

throughput.
Replace 850 PCs with new workstations that have gigabit-compliant

hardware.
CAT5e is an enhanced version of CAT5 cable and can transmit data at speed

of nearly one gigabit per second. Assessed Technology: Install CAT6 Cabling for Our Entire Network
Install CAT6 gigabit switches to segment and control network traffic. Upgrade wiring closet to gigabit equipment. Install 1000Base-T network cards in all compatible devices for faster

throughput.
Replace 850 PCs with new workstations that have gigabit-compliant

hardware.
CAT6 is becoming the de facto standard for new cable installations. It provides

better immunity from noise, which means less network traffic, fewer lost packets, and generally higher reliability than CAT5 networks. Impact The change would affect all users. The new network cabling would be created and installed, while the existing network would remain as is. The switch of the PCs to compatible NICs will happen by December 30. Users logon processes and usual workflow will remain constant; only the speed will be faster and more reliable.

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Planning the Project

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Financial Obligations
The initial projected cost of the CAT6 installation: $15,800 Cabling and connectors: $2,500 Two switches: $6,800 Wall-mounted patch panels: $1,800 Network installation kits: $1,200 Electrician: $3,500 850 PCs: not included in this budget but will be coordinated with normal

operations Recommended Action Upon final approval, a project charter will be drafted and the team assembled. A plan of action will be created for the implementation. Upon arrival, the patch panels and switches will be installed and tested. Cabling will begin at the top of the project. Next our team will complete the testing of the switches and network cards, and then connectivity will begin. No PCs in production will be connected to the new infrastructure until the new technology has been proven reliable and passed a quality audit. The workstations in production will cut over to the new infrastructure in waves, as the switches we choose will be backward-compatible for CAT5 networking. The entire feasibility study should detail each component and why the recommendations are being made. In addition, the financial obligation section should name the specific parts recommended.