At 9:34 AM +0000 1/6/03, Waleed Sami wrote: >My client, a telco., has two network logically and physically seperated. One >that handle the business aspect of the operation: Customer services, >billing...etc) and the other handles internet access, mail, office >automation....etc. The question is should they integrate the two networks in >one? cost is not an issue here. Security is a major issue. >The main direction for my client is to keep the situation as is: is this the >right decision?"
As do all questions like this, the answers come down to "it depends." Even more, what problem are they trying to solve, especially if cost is not an issue? Some reasons to do this can be to reduce operational rather than capital cost, and I'm not sure if that distinction is being made here. There are also potential high-availability advantages, if equipment previously dedicated to one network or another can be made available to multiple logical networks. If you look deeply enough, I think you will find a telco normally has more than two types of networks. For example, do they separate their OSS network from their business operations network? On what does their SS7 run? When you say "billing," is that customer billing or collection of billing data? On what network(s) do separations settlements take place? What about last mile, last 100 mile, and second mile networks? Does the telco directly or indirectly support DSL? Does it need a plan to compete with cable-based services? What's the philosophy with regard to ATM, (G)MPLS, and optical networking? That said, with serious attention given to high availability, security and performance, logical (e.g., VPN) but not physical separation can work. I wouldn't attempt this without building some configuration tools that prevented internal networks EVER being internet-accessible. Honestly, this is really an evaluation that requires a substantially experienced consultant. You can see some of the issues discussed in my book, Building Service Provider Networks, but this is only a start. There will be differences in rules depending on who regulates the telco, on a local/state and national basis. For example, if you aren't sure what CALEA or E911 requirements are relevant, you aren't going to learn the questions to ask overnight. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=60427&t=60427 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
