Network design is a category of systems design that deals with data transport mechanisms. As with other systems' design disciplines, network design follows an analysis stage, where requirements are generated, and precedes implementation, where the system (or relevant system component) is constructed. The objective of network design is to satisfy data communication requirements while minimizing expense. Requirement scope can vary widely from one network design project to another based on geographic particularities and the nature of the data requiring transport.

Network analysis may be conducted at an inter-organizational, organizational, or departmental level. The requirements generated during the analysis may therefore define an inter-network connecting two or more organizations, an enterprise network that connects the departments of a single organization, or a departmental network to be designed around specific divisional needs. Inter-networks and enterprise networks often span multiple buildings, some of which may be hundreds or thousands...