The first step in designing a LAN is to establish and document the goals of the design. These goals are unique to each organization or situation. The following requirements are usually seen in most network designs:

• Functionality – The network must work. The network must allow users to meet their job requirements. The network must provide user-to-user and user-to-application connectivity with reasonable speed and reliability.
• Scalability – The network must be able to grow. The initial design should grow without any major changes to the overall design.
• Adaptability – The network must be designed with a vision toward future technologies. The network should include no element that would limit implementation of new technologies as they become available.
• Manageability – The network should be designed to facilitate network monitoring and management to ensure ongoing stability of operation.

Interactive Media Activity Matching: LAN Design Goals Matching When the student has completed this activity, the student will be able to understand the terms, definitions, and goals in network LAN design.