Bluesky Systems Infrastructure Upgrade Proposal And Design

Bluesky Systems Infrastructure Upgrade Proposal and Design

Bluesky Systems is a software development company serving both private and government clients. Its current infrastructure is outdated, with Windows Server 2003 servers, vulnerable DNS configurations, and inconsistent security policies, which have led to frequent disruptions, security breaches, and compliance issues. The company plans to expand with a new site in Sierra Vista to support military contracts, necessitating a comprehensive upgrade to enhance security, performance, and business continuity. This proposal provides a detailed plan for modernizing Bluesky's network architecture, aligning it with government security standards, optimizing operational efficiency, and ensuring resilience against future threats. The approach includes restructuring Active Directory, deploying scalable DHCP and DNS services, establishing secure VPN and remote access solutions, and implementing robust server deployment and disaster recovery strategies. Selecting this proposal ensures a future-proof, secure, and highly available infrastructure, positioning Bluesky as a trusted partner in government and private sector projects.

Paper For Above instruction

### Introduction

Bluesky Systems' existing network infrastructure suffers from several critical issues, including outdated server hardware and software, inadequate security measures, and a lack of business continuity planning. These vulnerabilities have resulted in operational disruptions and increased security risks, compromising sensitive data and eroding client trust. The necessity for a robust, scalable, and secure network infrastructure is paramount, especially with upcoming expansion plans and regulatory compliance demands. This comprehensive upgrade proposal aims to reengineer the entire network architecture, incorporate modern security practices, and support Bluesky's strategic growth and compliance objectives.

### Network Structure and Active Directory Design

The current network operates within a single forest with a basic domain structure, which is insufficient for the company's future needs. An optimal design involves creating a multi-site Active Directory (AD) environment that ensures high availability and fault tolerance. The proposed AD infrastructure will consist of separate domain controllers at each site: Tucson, Phoenix, and Sierra Vista. The Tucson site will host primary domain controllers, while Phoenix and Sierra Vista will serve as additional domain controllers to ensure redundancy. The forest root domain will be named blueskysys.local, providing a unified namespace for internal resources and external access via a secure DNS structure.

The OU (Organizational Units) hierarchy will be structured by department and site, facilitating delegated administration and policy enforcement. A sample OU structure might include Executives, IT Department, Development Team, and Remote Employees. Trust relationships between sites will be configured as transitive, secure, and bidirectional, ensuring seamless resource sharing and authentication across all locations. This design provides a resilient framework enabling continuous Active Directory services even if a site experiences failure.

Below is a simplified diagram of the proposed Active Directory forest and domain configuration:

  • Forest: blueskysys.local
  • Domain: blueskysys.local
  • Sites: Tucson, Phoenix, Sierra Vista
  • Domain Controllers:
    • Tucson: DC1 (Primary), DC2 (Secondary)
    • Phoenix: DC3
    • Sierra Vista: DC4

This structure ensures high availability, swift authentication, and resource distribution, key for supporting business operations and compliance requirements.

### DHCP Configuration

Automation of IP addressing via DHCP is crucial for simplify management and scalability. A dedicated server in each site will host the DHCP role, with Tucson's DHCP server being authoritative for the main subnet 192.168.0.0/24, Phoenix managing 192.168.1.0/24, and Sierra Vista handling a new subnet 192.168.2.0/24.

Each DHCP scope will cover the respective site's address range, with lease durations set to 8 days to balance address reuse and network flexibility. Reservations will be configured for critical servers, printers, and network devices based on their MAC addresses to ensure consistent IP allocation. DHCP options will include default gateways, subnet masks, DNS servers, and domain names, facilitating proper network configuration for clients. Relay agents will be configured on routers that connect to VLANs or subnets without DHCP servers, allowing clients to obtain IP addresses across networks.

Specific DHCP scope example for Tucson (192.168.0.0/24):

  • Scope Name: Tucson-Scopes
  • Start IP: 192.168.0.25
  • End IP: 192.168.0.254
  • Lease Duration: 8 days
  • Reservations: DNS servers, key servers, and network devices
  • Options: Default Gateway (192.168.0.1), DNS (192.168.0.2, 192.168.0.3), Domain Name (blueskysys.local)

This setup simplifies network management, ensures consistent IP allocation, and enhances security and troubleshooting capabilities.

### IP Address Scheme and Subnets

The proposed IP scheme segments the network into distinct subnets per site to enhance security and manageability:

  • Tucson: 192.168.0.0/24
  • Phoenix: 192.168.1.0/24
  • Sierra Vista: 192.168.2.0/24

Start and end IPs for each scope will be assigned within these ranges, reserving some addresses for network devices and static servers as needed. The IP scheme supports future expansion and simplifies routing management between sites via the VPN network.

### DNS Namespace and Server Deployment

The internal DNS namespace will be blueskysys.local, with DNS servers placed strategically at each site for redundancy. BlueskyDNS1 will host the primary zone and be the authoritative DNS server at Tucson, supporting internal and external name resolution. BlueskyDNS2 will serve as the secondary DNS, ensuring continuity during outages.

The Phoenix location will host BlueskyPhoenix, which will act as a domain controller, DNS, and DHCP server, providing local name resolution, authentication, and address services. For Sierra Vista, a similar setup will replicate the Phoenix configuration to maintain consistency and security, supporting secure access for military contracts and remote users.

The DNS hierarchy will include forward and reverse lookup zones, enabling efficient internal and external resolution. The internal namespace structure will resemble:

  • blueskysys.local
    • dc1.blueskysys.local (Tucson primary DC)
    • dc2.blueskysys.local (Tucson secondary DC)
    • dc3.blueskysys.local (Phoenix DC)
    • dc4.blueskysys.local (Sierra Vista DC)

This structured DNS hierarchy ensures fast, reliable name resolution and security, with redundancy built in to support network resilience.

### Remote Access Security

Remote access via VPN will be secured using Cisco ASA firewalls, with implementation of VPN tunnels between sites for secure communication and replication traffic. Remote users will connect via VPN clients utilizing certificate-based authentication, aligning with security best practices and meeting government compliance standards. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be integrated to bolster security further. The VPN configuration will enforce strict Network Access Policy controls, ensuring only authorized devices and users access sensitive data.

### Server Deployment and Business Continuity

Deploying Windows Server 2008 across all sites will support enhanced performance, security, and enterprise management capabilities. Each site will have a minimum of two domain controllers to ensure high availability even during individual server failures. Backup strategies will encompass daily full and incremental backups, stored securely on offsite or cloud-based storage solutions. Periodic disaster recovery drills will validate data integrity and process readiness.

Remote monitoring and management tools will be implemented to oversee server health, security status, and compliance. Group Policy Objects (GPOs) will be used to enforce security policies, software deployment, and workstation configurations efficiently. Windows Server Deployment Services (WDS) will facilitate rapid imaging and software updates across all workstations, simplifying management at scale.

### Conclusion

This comprehensive network upgrade addresses the vulnerabilities and limitations of Bluesky’s current infrastructure, integrating current best practices in security, redundancy, and management. Transitioning to Windows Server 2008, establishing a secure and scalable AD environment, optimizing DHCP and DNS services, and ensuring high availability and compliance will significantly improve operational efficiency and security posture. This investment not only mitigates existing risks but also positions Bluesky for sustainable growth and enhanced trustworthiness with clients and government agencies. Choosing this proposal ensures Bluesky has a resilient, secure, and future-ready network infrastructure capable of supporting its expanding mission and client commitments for years to come.

References

  • Microsoft. (2022). Active Directory Domain Services Overview. Microsoft Documentation. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/active-directory-domain-services
  • Cisco Systems. (2021). Cisco ASA Firewall Configuration Guide. Cisco Press. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/security/asa-5500-x-series-next-generation-firewalls/tsd-products-support-series-home.html
  • TechNet. (2020). Deploying DHCP in Windows Server 2008. Microsoft TechNet. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-R2/cc766438(v=WS.10)
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2020). Guide to VPN Security. NIST Special Publication 800-77. https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-77/final
  • Graham, J., & Simpson, K. (2019). Implementing Secure DNS in Enterprise Networks. Journal of Network Security, 15(3), 45-58.
  • Fitzgerald, J. (2021). Business Continuity Planning for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Wiley Publishing.
  • Johnson, R., & Lee, T. (2022). Designing Multi-Site Active Directory Deployments. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 24(2), 987-1010.
  • Microsoft. (2020). Windows Server 2008 R2 Security Best Practices. Microsoft Docs. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/security/security-best-practices
  • Gallagher, S. (2021). Virtualization Strategies for Modern Data Centers. O'Reilly Media.
  • Department of Defense. (2019). Security Guidelines for Government Networks. DoD Security Standards. https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Security-Standards/

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