CSC00240 Data Communications and Networks Management

Suggest a type of network architecture that is suitable for the organisation. You will need to identify all the circuits (cabling), network hardware necessary to build the network(s) you are proposing and to justify your choice, i.e., you will need to explain the function of the hardware and network choice in your solution.

Part 1

Introduction

Network in any organization is very important part and in todays’ business, its efficiency plays key part in business performance. The main objective of this report is to analyze current network and proposed organizational network. Similarly, it will try to give out recommendations on use of both current and proposed network. To make this project a success, the following aspects would be covered; users’ system requirements for the proposed network which involves both business and technical goals, carryout an analysis of proposed 5 star network and give out recommendations on what need to be considered in regard to new network in order to meet organizational goals. The problem solution has been deduced from analysis of the current organizational network challenges and need to upgrade in order to meet organizational needs. This project would cover current network design, proposed network design and recommendations to the new network.

User requirements analysis

User requirements focus on what each group of users’ needs to make organizational operations successful. These requirements should focus on future exceptions of the company. User requirements would be covered in business goals, technical goals and future network design expectations.

Business and technical goals

To make 5 star operations effective, future design should include organizational whiteboard where braches and Development Company would be communication through. This would serve as a collaboration too from within the organization. Wireless communication would also be provided from development company center. Similarly, video conferencing would be used as a collaboration tool in while trying to meet facilitate easy and fast communication (Rybaczyk 2004, p. 489). All users would need to communicate effectively and substantively from either of the branches and from within the organization. It is up to expectation of organizational users to have very fast network to facilitate easy and fast communication and to protect organizational data, encryption should be set to make sure no unauthorized access can be made.

Proposed network design 

Proposed network should cater for single point failure such that it does not affect operations of entire organization. In order to make sure proposed network design meets required specification, all mandatory and desirable specifications should be met efficiently. In regard to current network setup, it does not seem fit to support internal operations of business effectively due to need to expand future organizational operations. With current design, single point failure seems to halt entire organizational network because all devices are communicating from single router and three hubs. Failure of single hub brings down entire section of the network that is supported by the subject hub. Single point failure may probably again result from main router used to support entire organizational network. Functionality of the current network has been facing network delays due to traffic create by communication traffic from different sections in the entire network (Metz 2017, p. 17-19). It is very clear that, for different sections in the network to communicate as demonstrated from network setup, all traffic data should go through specific hubs from various sections; technical, software development and administrative sections. Despite being channeled to various hubs, they are all hosted in one server. Finally, the hardware requirements involved in the design of the network include; routers, data server, network server and computers.

Part 2

Recommended network design

The current network architecture makes use of hubs and routers. From the analysis of given network architecture, star topology architectural design is the best for any organization that wants to make future advancements. Star topology is essential when there is organizational need to expand the current network as it allows partial abolishment without disrupting entire organizational network (Jo 2011, p. 49). Similarly, if organization need to expand current network in start topology, it does not require to bring down entire network. In star topology, each organizational network section would be segmented by routers. Additionally, routers would be used to filter out network need required from one organizational section to the other. Next, servers would be used to store organizational operational data, network servers would be used host organizational wireless network. Finally, either of data cables would be used in transmission of data from within organizational LAN network (Oikonomou & Cluzel 2006, p. 533)

Proposed network would need to cover both existing building and new proposed building. In the logical design of the network, all machines in the organization should be able to communicate effectively but putting into consideration data security. No organizational information should be accessed by any unauthorized persons either from within or outside the organization. LAN should be designed in such a way that, each organizational section has its own mini server but with capability to operate independently. Further, the main server should be able to communicate with others by creating virtual servers to avoid single point failure. Where wireless network is needed to facilitate communication within and outside organization with its branches, it should be strategically located and secured to prevent intrusion from outsiders (Al-Bahadili 2012, p. 159). All organizational hardware are run by operating software which requires protection from being compromised by either third parties or viruses. To make protection successful, organization need to set up firewall and anti-malware to secure protect sensitive data from being compromised. Moreover, organization need to implement encryption of data so that if there is any unauthorized d access, no data compromise is likely to occur.

Cost estimates for network design

To design any organizational network, there various cost that must be involved. In this case, implementation cost would cover hardware, software and circuit installation.

Conclusion

Through implementation of the proposed network, it would be possible for 5 star company to upgrade its network design to required standard in order to be able to support organizational operations for next five years of rapid technological growth. If set recommendation are properly implemented, they would offer substantive organizational growth and service to the company and all it branches. New network design would offer increased security to organizational data as well as streamline business operations that spurs business growth.

References

Al-Bahadili, H. 2012. Simulation in computer network design and modeling: Use and analysis. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.

Jo, K. Y. 2011. Satellite communications network design and analysis. Boston: Artech House.

Metz, F., 2017. Introduction. In From Network Structure to Policy Design in Water Protection (pp. 1-23). Springer International Publishing.

Oikonomou, P. and Cluzel, P., 2006. Effects of topology on network evolution. Nature Physics, 2(8), pp.532-536.

Rybaczyk, P. 2004. Cisco network design solutions for small-medium businesses. Indianapolis, Ind: Cisco.