# SDS - Plan the Network and Clusters

Before you can use SDS, you will need to plan the networks or clusters and then configure them into the Network Elements and Cluster Elements forms of each element. To reduce the amount of programming required, you can configure the elements at the local element and then use SDS to distribute the data to the other elements.

Refer to the Configure Network book for instructions on how to plan and configure networks and clusters.

After you have finished planning, proceed to Adding the Network Elements to the Network Elements form.