A site survey provides the network designer important information and creates a proper starting point for the project. It shows what is already on site, and gives a good indication as to what is needed.
Important pieces of information that can be gathered during a site survey include:
Number of users and types of equipment
Projected growth
Current Internet connectivity
Application requirements
Existing network infrastructure and physical layout
New services required
Security and privacy considerations
Reliability and uptime expectations
Budget constraints
It is a good idea to obtain a floor plan, if possible. If a floor plan is not available, the technician can draw a diagram indicating the size and location of all rooms. An inventory of existing network hardware and software is also useful to provide a baseline of requirements for the upgrade.
A sales representative may also accompany the technician to the site to interview the customer. The sales representative may ask a series of questions to gather information about the network upgrade needs of the business.