Listing Communication Links and Available Bandwidth

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

After creating a location map, document the type of communication link, its link speed, and the available bandwidth between each location. Obtain a WAN topology from your networking group. For a list of common WAN circuit types and their bandwidth, see "Determining the Cost" later in this chapter. You need this information to create site links later in the site topology design process.

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that you can transmit across a communication channel in a given amount of time. Available bandwidth refers to the amount of bandwidth actually available for use by Active Directory. You can obtain available bandwidth information from your network group or you can analyze traffic on each link by using a protocol analyzer such as Network Monitor, which is a component that ships with Windows Server 2003. For information about installing Network Monitor, see "Monitoring network traffic" on the Microsoft Web site.

Document each location and the other locations that are linked to it. In addition, record the type of communication link and its available bandwidth. For a worksheet to assist you in listing communication links and available bandwidth, see "Geographic Locations and Communication Links" (DSSTOPO_1.doc) on the Windows Server 2003 Deployment Kit companion CD (or see "Geographic Locations and Communication Links" on the Web at https://www.microsoft.com/reskit).

Figure 3.6 shows an example of a worksheet listing the locations for Trey Research, the communication links between each location, and the available bandwidth for each communication link.

Figure 3.6   Example of a Geographic Locations and Communication Links Worksheet

Geographic Locations and Communication Links