Planning
Network Growth Planner
Project network infrastructure needs based on user growth. Plan for port density, bandwidth, and IP address requirements over time.
Current State
Growth Parameters
Year-by-Year Projection
| Year | Users | Devices | Ports Needed | IPs Needed | Bandwidth |
|---|
! = Exceeds current capacity
Planning Recommendations
- Headroom: Plan for 20-30% additional capacity beyond projections
- Refresh Cycle: Network equipment typically has a 5-7 year lifecycle
- Scalability: Choose modular switches and routers that can grow
- IP Planning: Reserve larger subnets than immediately needed
Growth Rate Benchmarks
| Growth Rate | 5-Year Factor | Typical Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| 5% annual | 1.28x | Stable enterprise, mature market |
| 10% annual | 1.61x | Growing SMB, expanding organization |
| 15% annual | 2.01x | Fast-growing company, acquisitions |
| 20% annual | 2.49x | Scale-up phase, rapid expansion |
| 30% annual | 3.71x | Startup growth, hypergrowth |
Capacity Planning Tips
- Buffer: Always plan for 30% more capacity than projected
- Lead Time: Major upgrades need 6-12 months planning
- Budget Cycles: Align upgrades with fiscal year planning
- Modular Design: Choose equipment that scales incrementally
Scaling Thresholds
- 50 users: Single switch, basic router
- 100 users: Multiple VLANs, managed switches
- 250 users: Core/distribution/access layers
- 500+ users: Redundant core, dedicated WAN