Specifications

Bankway Network Standards Guide - Novell Environment
This constitutes a trade secret of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. 2006 Research & Development
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The topic of a telecommunications network is a large science and industry that is beyond the
scope of this document. What follows are general guidelines. For a complete analysis of a
Telecommunications Network by a qualified professional with expertise in the FIS environment,
contact your FIS representative.
The Telecommunications Network is a generic term referring to the elements that allow
computers to exchange data. In practice, the network allows Bankway to share your customers’
database of information between users and branches.
Note: There are many options for networks. This document focuses on current best
practices for the Bankway environment. To explore other options, contact your FIS
representative.
The Network is divided into two distinct sections: the LAN and the WAN. LAN stands for Local
Area Network. This is part that resides inside the Bank’s facilities. Typically the Bank owns,
operates and maintains the LAN. WAN stands for Wide Area Network. This is the part that
connects the different locations of the Bank. Typically the Bank contracts with a Common Carrier
such as AT&T, Sprint or the Local Exchange Carrier (i.e. phone company) to provide this
service.
A LAN begins with cabling to every location where a computer will be attached to the network.
The cables terminate at a Patch Panel in a central location, usually a wiring closet or
communications equipment room. The current industry standard is Category 5 (CAT-5) which is
based on EIA/TIA 568 Commercial Building Telecommunications Wiring Standard. This standard
specifies cables, connectors, wall outlets, and patch panels. CAT-5 cable should be installed by
professional wiring contractor.
Operating over the cable is the data link protocol. The current industry standard, recommended
by FIS, is 100baseTX Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) which operates at 100,000,000 bits per seconds.
Each computer or printer connected to the network must be equipped with a Network Interface
Card (NIC) capable of supporting 100baseTX Ethernet.
The computers connect to each other and the WAN via a 100Mbps Ethernet Switch, collocated
with the Patch Panel.
Note: Some locations may be using 10Mbps Ethernet hubs. While providing similar
functionality as 100Mbps, performance will be noticeably degraded.
In larger installations switches may be deployed in a hierarchy with devices connected to access
switches which are in turn up-linked to distribution/backbone switches.
To insure data reaches the proper destination, an addressing scheme must be developed and
an address must be assigned to and configured on each device in the network. FIS supports
TCP/IP, which is the Internet Protocol and is the dominant standard. An IP address must be
assigned to each device. The addresses must be arranged in a hierarchical manner to facilitate
proper routing.