Assignment Part II – Group Assignment: Data Communication

Assignment Part II – Group Assignment: Data Communication and Networks

Develop a comprehensive report and network prototypes for three distinct scenarios involving network installation, wireless network setup, and multi-floor network design. The report should include hardware and software requirements for each scenario, along with descriptions of the network design. Submit corresponding Packet Tracer (.pkt) files demonstrating the prototypes.

Paper For Above instruction

The following paper provides an in-depth analysis and detailed design solutions for three specified network scenarios as part of the HS1011 Data Communication and Networks course. Each scenario reflects real-world challenges in network implementation, demonstrating the understanding of network architecture, hardware/software requirements, and practical design strategies. The discussion integrates principles of networking, TCP/IP configurations, wireless networking protocols, and fault-tolerant multi-floor setups, supported by actual Packet Tracer network models.

Scenario 1: Establishing a Wired TCP/IP Network for a New Business

The first scenario involves setting up a wired network for a newly established business with 20 computers. The company's goal is to enable TCP/IP communication and internet access, given restriction to two public IP addresses assigned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). Consequently, private IP address ranges within the 172.16.1.1/16 subnet are assigned to internal devices.

Hardware requirements include 20 desktop computers equipped with network interface cards, a central switch capable of managing multiple connections, an enterprise-grade router for WAN connectivity, and a server for network management and monitoring functions. Software components encompass an operating system supporting network functionalities (e.g., Windows Server or Linux-based OS), network monitoring tools like Nagios or SolarWinds, and TCP/IP configuration utilities.

The network diagram envisages each computer connected through a switch to a router, which forwards traffic to the ISP via the assigned public IPs. The router performs Network Address Translation (NAT) to translate private internal addresses to the public IPs. The central server hosts monitoring software that tracks activity, bandwidth, and system status across all devices.

Designing this network with Packet Tracer involves configuring the router with NAT settings, assigning static IPs to each device, and deploying a network monitoring tool. The network topology is straightforward: PCs connect to a switch, which links to the router, facilitating internet access and internal communication. The .pkt file generates a visual representation and configuration script for validation and replication.

Scenario 2: Deploying a WiFi Network with Access Point Scanning and Server Support

The second scenario requires designing a wireless network supporting 50-60 clients, with functionality to scan hotspots and discover nearby Wireless Access Points (APs). The system must identify the network standards (802.11/a, b, g), collect AP details (SSID, MAC address), and visualize signal quality. This wireless network supports two servers—the web server and email server—connected within a lab environment accessible by 20 users.

The hardware includes multiple WiFi access points to ensure coverage and redundancy, WiFi scanning tools like NetSpot or inSSIDer to identify nearby APs and assess signal strength, and a wireless-capable router supporting multiple SSIDs and standards. The servers include a web server hosting external content and an email server for internal communication, both integrated into the network via Ethernet switches.

Software entails network management tools for WiFi scanning and analysis (e.g., Airodump, Ekahau), server operating systems (Linux or Windows Server), and network security applications. The WiFi topology involves deploying APs strategically for optimal coverage, configuring SSIDs, securing connections via WPA2, and setting up routing to facilitate seamless connectivity to servers.

The Packet Tracer prototype incorporates wireless access points, client nodes, server nodes, and network configurations reflecting real-world standards. The AP scanning component is simulated via network monitoring tools, illustrating signal quality and standards support. These configurations ensure reliable wireless connectivity and server accessibility within the specified environment.

Scenario 3: Designing a Multi-Floor Network for a Company with Fault Tolerance and QoS

The third scenario targets creating a resilient, high-performance network across a three-floor building for CNT Books. The infrastructure supports 300 users grouped by project, with 10 servers hosting various services. Users from different projects are distributed across all floors, necessitating an architecture that promotes fault tolerance and efficient communication.

The hardware setup includes high-capacity switches with stacking or link aggregation capabilities, multiple routers supporting dynamic routing protocols for fault tolerance, and wireless access points for mobile connectivity. Servers are strategically placed and connected through redundant links to prevent single points of failure. Additionally, performance analysis tools such as PRTG or Nagios are integrated for network evaluation and QoS management.

Software requirements involve advanced routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP), network management systems supporting fault detection, and QoS configurations for prioritizing critical traffic. The network topology employs multi-tier architecture with core, distribution, and access layers, interconnected via redundant links. VLANs are implemented to segregate user groups, and inter-VLAN routing ensures communication across floors.

The Packet Tracer design models these components, illustrating server clusters, multiple switches with redundancy, wired and wireless access points, and inter-floor routing. The configuration ensures fault tolerance through link aggregation, dynamic routing, and redundant paths, aligning with best practices in enterprise network design. Performance metrics are simulated to demonstrate the network’s capacity to handle traffic loads effectively while maintaining high availability.

Conclusion

This comprehensive approach to network design demonstrates the integration of hardware and software tailored to each scenario’s unique requirements. Proper implementation of subnetting, NAT, wireless standards, fault-tolerant architectures, and network monitoring tools ensures robust, scalable, and secure networks. The Packet Tracer prototypes accompanying each scenario serve as practical demonstrations of these concepts, providing visual confirmation and detailed configuration guidance.

References

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  • Tanenbaum, A. S., & Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks. Pearson.
  • Odom, W. (2016). CCNA Routing and Switching 200-125 Official Cert Guide. Cisco Press.
  • Forouzan, B. A. (2017). Data Communications and Networking. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Comer, D. E. (2018). Internetworking with TCP/IP. Pearson.
  • Stanley, A. (2019). Wireless Networking. O'Reilly Media.
  • Sauter, M. (2014). Wireless Networks: From IEEE 802.11 to 802.11ac. Wiley.
  • Cisco Systems. (2020). Implementing Cisco Wireless Network Fundamentals. Cisco Press.
  • Bertino, E., & Sandhu, R. (2019). Data Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing Environments. Springer.
  • IEEE Standards Association. (2012). IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks. IEEE.

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