Architecture review
An independent read on the existing network and the changes proposed. Most useful before a refresh, before a significant infrastructure investment, or when recurring problems keep coming back after equipment replacements.
// ENTERPRISE NETWORK ARCHITECTURE · HANS STUDY · ONTARIO, CANADA
Enterprise network architecture, independent of the vendor
Architecture review before a refresh. Greenfield design before construction commits the options. Remediation planning for networks that grew without a coherent design. Vendor-agnostic across Cisco, Aruba, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Juniper, Fortinet, and Palo Alto.
What brings organizations here
Most enterprise network problems are not equipment failures. Equipment gets blamed because it is visible. The actual issue is the absence of a coherent design, segmentation that was added as an afterthought, or infrastructure that grew without anyone asking what it would need to support five years out. By the time the symptoms are obvious, the root cause is structural and the fix requires more than a replacement cycle.
I work with organizations across Ontario and North America on the architecture problems sitting underneath the visible symptoms. Networks patched and extended over a decade without a coherent design. Segmentation that exists on paper but is not enforced. Remediation projects that need to happen in a live environment where taking the network offline is not an option.
No equipment sales. No commissions and no product margin. Platform recommendations reflect what the environment requires. Nothing else.
Where independent advisory adds value
Greenfield design
Full architecture design at the early design stage, before the architect and mechanical contractor have already constrained the options. Physical topology, segmentation, routing, wireless, and security architecture, coordinated with the physical security and compliance frameworks.
Segmentation and security architecture
Segmentation that exists on paper but is not enforced is not segmentation. Zone architecture, inter-zone access control, and firewall policy design tied to compliance requirements including CMMC, ISO 27001, and NERC CIP where applicable.
Remediation and network restructuring
Most networks that need fixing cannot be taken offline to fix them. Phased remediation plans that sequence changes to minimize disruption, identify viable existing infrastructure, and reach a defensible architecture without a full replacement capital spend.
Technical advisory for IT teams
Some IT teams need an experienced external voice on a specific decision before committing to it. A second opinion on a vendor proposal. A direct answer on whether a proposed architecture makes sense for the environment. Short advisory engagements, billed per engagement, not through a retainer.
Pre-RFP technical specification
Platform-neutral technical specification before the procurement goes out. Comparable vendor responses, an objective evaluation basis, and an integrator selection process that does not produce a single bidder.
Platforms covered
- Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, ASA, FTD
- HPE Aruba, CX, AOS, ClearPass
- Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, OmniSwitch family
- Juniper, EX series
- Palo Alto Networks, NGFW
- Fortinet, FortiGate
Related advisory areas
Industrial and OT networks →
SCADA, DCS, ICS environments where enterprise security patterns do not apply directly.
CCTV and access control →
Most CCTV problems are network problems. Address them at the right layer.
ICAT design and project advisory →
Integrated facility systems where the network is one of several systems converging in the same building.
Data centre and structured cabling →
The physical layer the architecture lives on. Cheap to fix at design, expensive after construction.
Common questions
What platforms does Hans Study work across?
Cisco, Aruba, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Juniper, Fortinet, and Palo Alto Networks. Platform recommendations are based on fit for the environment. No margin on equipment, no commissions. The recommendation reflects the requirements. Nothing else.
Does Hans Study design networks for new facilities?
Yes. Greenfield engagements cover full architecture design including physical topology, segmentation, routing, wireless, and security architecture, coordinated with the physical security systems and compliance frameworks the network will need to support. Getting architecture guidance before construction starts is where the value is highest and the cost of changes is lowest.
Who provides independent network architecture consulting in Ontario?
Based in Ontario. Vendor-agnostic network architecture consulting across Canada and the US. Project history covers government, defence, critical infrastructure, transportation, and enterprise environments. No equipment sales, no margin on anything specified, no commission.
Related
Wireless design and validation →
Predictive design and measured validation surveys, trained on Ekahau and CWNP material.
Independent oversight before the design is committed
Architecture review, greenfield design, remediation planning, and short technical-advisory engagements are all available, each scoped and quoted on its own. The earliest point of engagement is also the highest-impact point.
Related work: a high availability network built to carry an emergency notification system.