Infrastructure planning
Assess port counts, power needs, uplinks, cabling and comms room constraints.
Switching & Network Infrastructure
Network infrastructure is the cabling, switches and connections that link the computers, phones, access points, printers and servers on each site. Umbrella Tech designs and implements switching and network infrastructure for Australian organisations, planning port capacity, segmentation, power and resilience so the systems you rely on stay connected, and leaving you with accurate records and diagrams.
The problem
The challenge we help you address
Switches added one at a time create bottlenecks and make faults hard to isolate. Uplinks run out of capacity, power budgets fall short when phones and access points are added, and undocumented virtual LANs leave nobody sure which device sits on which network.
The outcome
What the engagement should deliver
Switching that fits the agreed workload and growth, consistent configuration across devices, and current documentation for the operating team. Network switches for business are selected against your requirements and support needs rather than specifications alone.
How we can help
Configuration
Design VLANs, management access, resilience and consistent configuration across switches.
Installation
Stage, mount and patch equipment in agreed windows, recording every connection.
Acceptance and records
Test connectivity, record the configuration and update network diagrams.
Terms worth knowing
- Network switching: forwarding traffic between devices on the same site. Layer 3 switches can also route between internal networks.
- Virtual LAN (VLAN): a logical network that separates traffic, for example staff, guest, phone and server networks, on shared equipment.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE): power delivered to access points, phones and cameras over the network cable.
- Uplink and stacking: the connections between switches, and the ability to manage several switches as one unit.
How we deliver
How a switching project runs
01
Record
Map existing switches, ports, cabling and connected devices.
02
Design
Set port allocation, VLANs, power budget and redundancy.
03
Implement
Replace or reconfigure switches in planned windows, keeping a rollback path.
04
Verify
Test each network and connected service, then update diagrams.
Proof from a recent replacement
For an IT provider's client, we replaced the site switch alongside the firewall and Wi-Fi access points in one visit, cabling exactly as the scope specified, and restored the desk phones after the change. Read the Rosh Tech case study.
Frequently asked questions
Can't see your question? Ask us directly →
What is network infrastructure?
The physical and logical foundation of a network: structured cabling, switches, routing between internal networks and the links to firewalls, Wi-Fi and servers. Reliable infrastructure is what every application on site depends on.
When should a business replace its switches?
When switches reach end of vendor support, run out of ports or power for new devices, cause performance problems, or before a relocation or Wi-Fi upgrade. A broader Network Consulting & Design engagement suits changes that also affect routing, WAN links or several sites.
What does implementation include?
Planning, staging and configuring switches, patching and labelling, cutover in agreed windows, testing of connected services and updated diagrams and configuration records.
How long does a switching project take?
It depends on the number of switches and sites, the state of cabling and documentation, equipment lead times and available change windows. Scope and timing are confirmed in discovery.
What are the main security or governance considerations?
Separating networks with VLANs, restricting management access, disabling unused ports, keeping firmware current and recording changes. Our Cybersecurity services can extend this to network access control and monitoring.
Plan the next improvement
Tell us about your sites, the equipment you have and what needs to connect. We will help define a practical starting point.