While the LAN infrastructure market is considered mature, new features, functionality, and performance characteristics do become available over time. Deciding when an upgrade is necessary to support the business requires an understanding of the technology and business drivers. Implementing a LAN refresh too soon means retiring underutilized infrastructure, while waiting too long can negatively impact the performance and reliability of the corporate network. This research note discusses the primary drivers of a LAN refresh:
- Age and reliability of the infrastructure.
- New applications and services, such as IP telephony.
- Requirement for more capacity or new features.
- Company growth, merger/acquisition, or mandate from head office.
Identifying the appropriate time for a LAN refresh will result in an optimal trade-off between network performance and cost.
