A Local Entrepreneur Plans To Open A Retail Business The Bus

A Local Entrepreneur Plans To Open a Retail Business The Business Own

A local entrepreneur plans to open a retail business. The business owner needs to develop the right network to conduct a number of business functions including implementing email marketing and e-commerce, processing credit card transactions, ordering from and communicating with various supply chain vendors, and providing a variety of telecommunications functions to compete with similar businesses. The business owner is unsure about the network architecture needed to perform these functions and does not have an unlimited budget like the larger retailers do. For this discussion, assume the role of a network architect and develop three suggestions for building an internal network capable of performing these functions.

In your main post, list the suggestions and rationale that supports your recommendations. Be sure you address which network capability or capabilities your recommendation will fulfill.

Paper For Above instruction

Designing an effective and cost-efficient internal network for a new retail business involves balancing technical capability with budget constraints. In this context, I propose three strategic recommendations to create a robust network infrastructure capable of supporting essential business functions such as e-commerce, email marketing, credit card processing, supply chain communication, and telecommunications. These recommendations emphasize scalability, security, and performance, which are critical for a competitive retail operation.

1. Implement a Segmented Network Using VLANs and a Small Business-Grade Router

The first recommendation involves deploying a segmented network architecture utilizing Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) and a small business-grade router with managed switch capabilities. Segmentation helps isolate different network functions—such as payment processing, supply chain communication, and general internet access—improving security and network performance (Kurose & Ross, 2017). For example, a VLAN dedicated to credit card transactions can be configured to be isolated from less sensitive functions, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

A managed switch supporting VLANs allows the business owner to create separate broadcast domains without the cost of multiple physical switches. A small business router with quality of service (QoS) features can prioritize critical applications like credit card processing and VoIP, enhancing performance during peak times (Odom, 2019). This architecture is cost-effective, scalable, and straightforward to manage, making it suitable for a startup with budget limitations.

2. Utilize Cloud-Based Services for Critical Functions

To minimize upfront infrastructure costs and enhance flexibility, adopting cloud-based services for essential business functions is highly advantageous (Marston et al., 2011). Cloud solutions such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for email marketing (e.g., Mailchimp), e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify), and payment processing providers (e.g., Square or Stripe) eliminate the need for substantial physical hardware and ongoing maintenance.

This approach ensures that the business can access high-reliability, scalable applications without the cost burden of maintaining servers on-site. Furthermore, many cloud providers offer built-in security measures and compliance features, which are critical for handling sensitive payment data and customer information (Rittinghouse & Ransome, 2016). Cloud-based services can be integrated with the local network via secure VPN connections, maintaining data security and access control.

3. Establish Reliable and Secure Wireless Connectivity with Redundancy

Wireless connectivity is essential for flexible communication, mobile point-of-sale (POS) systems, and supply chain coordination. Installing a dual-band Wi-Fi access point supporting Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with enterprise security protocols (WPA3) provides a balance between performance and security (Sharan et al., 2020). This setup supports multiple devices, including POS terminals, tablets, and inventory scanners.

To ensure high availability and prevent downtime, implementing redundancy—such as multiple access points connected to a controller or a mesh Wi-Fi system—can provide seamless coverage (Yeboah & Arhin, 2021). Securing wireless traffic with strong encryption and network segmentation ensures that sensitive business data remains protected against unauthorized access.

Conclusion

Building a cost-effective and reliable internal network for a new retail business requires strategic planning that leverages segmentation, cloud services, and robust wireless infrastructure. Using VLANs and managed routing creates a secure baseline, cloud services reduce capital expenditures while providing scalability, and wireless redundancy ensures continuous connectivity. Together, these recommendations will enable the business to deliver essential functions effectively, support growth, and maintain a competitive edge in the retail landscape.

References

• Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2017). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.). Pearson.
• Marston, S., Li, Z., Bandyopadhyay, S., Zhang, J., & Ghalsasi, A. (2011). Cloud computing — The business perspective. Decision Support Systems, 51(1), 176-189.
• Odom, W. (2019). CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library. Cisco Press.
• Rittinghouse, J. W., & Ransome, J. F. (2016). Cloud Computing: Implementation, Management, and Security. CRC Press.
• Sharan, S., Woo, K., & Jain, R. (2020). Wireless communication standards for IoT. IEEE Communications Magazine, 58(4), 50-55.
• Yeboah, E., & Arhin, A. (2021). Enhancing network resilience with mesh Wi-Fi systems in small businesses. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 183, 103082.