Overview
McTech Zambia delivered an end-to-end Local Area Network (LAN) project for the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA), covering design, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and managed support. The implementation connected departments across NRFA offices with a secure, high-availability network foundation for finance systems, email, document workflows, voice services, and day-to-day operations.
Client Objectives
NRFA required a modern LAN platform to replace aging switching and fragmented cabling, improve throughput and reliability, and create a standard architecture that internal IT could scale and maintain.
- Provide stable wired and wireless connectivity for core business systems.
- Segment traffic for security and performance.
- Improve visibility and troubleshooting through centralized monitoring.
- Prepare network capacity for future branch integration and digital services.
Key Challenges
- Mixed legacy infrastructure and undocumented cabling routes.
- Limited maintenance windows to avoid disrupting critical finance workflows.
- Need for secure separation between administrative, finance, guest, and device traffic.
- Requirement for clean, auditable commissioning documentation.
Scope of Work
McTech executed the following scope:
- Site surveys, rack-room assessment, and low-level LAN design.
- Supply of enterprise switches, access points, patch panels, and fiber/copper accessories.
- Structured cabling (Cat6) installation, labeling, termination, and certification.
- Core/distribution/access switch setup with VLAN segmentation and trunking.
- Router, gateway, and DHCP integration with existing ICT services.
- Wireless rollout for controlled staff mobility and meeting spaces.
- Configuration hardening, access controls, and baseline network security policies.
- End-to-end testing, user acceptance support, and formal commissioning.
- Knowledge transfer, SOP handover, and ongoing maintenance support.
Architecture and Implementation
Delivery was phased to maintain business continuity:
- Phase 1 - Discovery and Design: Baseline assessment, traffic analysis, IP plan, VLAN matrix, and implementation method statement.
- Phase 2 - Build and Staging: Pre-configuration and lab validation of switch stacks, port profiles, and monitoring templates before on-site deployment.
- Phase 3 - On-Site Cutover: Structured cabling upgrades, rack reorganization, switch installation, and controlled migration of users and services.
- Phase 4 - Commissioning and Handover: Performance validation, failover checks, as-built documentation, and IT team onboarding.
Testing and Commissioning
Commissioning covered both technical and operational acceptance:
- Physical layer certification for installed cabling links.
- Throughput and latency checks across user and server segments.
- Redundancy and failover simulations on core links.
- Wireless coverage validation in priority work areas.
- Security verification for VLAN isolation and access policies.
Results and Business Impact
- Improved LAN stability and faster access to internal applications.
- Reduced recurring network faults caused by legacy cabling and unmanaged switching.
- Better network governance through standardized naming, labeling, and documentation.
- Stronger security posture through segmentation and controlled access.
- Scalable foundation for future expansion, additional services, and branch connectivity.
Ongoing Support
Following commissioning, McTech continues to support NRFA through preventive maintenance, health checks, configuration backup management, and rapid incident response to keep the network reliable and secure.