Build Out A Network For A New Facility For Your Company

Build out a network for a new facility for your company, ACME, Inc.

This assignment involves designing and planning a network for a new ACME, Inc. facility. You are required to create an estimated purchase list, including switches, cable, port plates, punch boards, UPS and power supplies, and other necessary equipment. Additionally, you must provide an installation timeline, select an appropriate network topology, outline a basic network configuration, and justify all your choices. The proposal should be documented in a Word file, with rough estimates based on online pricing resources. Focus on clear, justified decisions for each aspect of the network design, keeping future assignments in mind where more advanced considerations may be addressed.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a robust and scalable network infrastructure is fundamental for ensuring seamless communication, data transfer, and operational efficiency within a new facility of a company such as ACME, Inc. This paper presents a comprehensive plan that includes an estimated procurement list, installation timeline, network topology selection, and a basic configuration outline. Justifications for each decision are included based on industry best practices and cost-effective principles for small to medium-sized enterprise networks.

Introduction

Designing a network from scratch requires a strategic approach that balances performance, scalability, and cost. The core objective is to establish a reliable infrastructure capable of supporting voice and data requirements for each office space within the facility. This project assumes a facility measuring approximately 125 feet by 150 feet, with multiple offices of 10x10 feet and 10-foot ceilings, spaced throughout the building. Adequate planning ensures efficient deployment, future growth, and ease of maintenance.

Estimated Purchase List

The procurement list comprises essential networking hardware and accessories tailored to the facility’s specifications. The list includes:

  • Switches: Managed switch with at least 24 ports to accommodate offices and network servers. A second switch may be optional for redundancy or expanded capabilities.
  • Cabling: Cat6 Ethernet cable, approximately 1000 feet, to ensure high-speed connectivity and future scalability.
  • Port Plates and Patch Panels: Surface-mount or in-wall port plates with RJ45 jacks for voice and data, supplemented by a patch panel for organized wiring.
  • Punch Boards: Punch-down tools and panels for terminating cables accurately and efficiently.
  • UPS and Power Supplies: Uninterruptible Power Supply units to prevent outages and protect sensitive equipment, with sufficient capacity based on the planned hardware load.
  • Additional Accessories: Cable management accessories, labels, rack mounts, and testing equipment to ensure organized and reliable installation.

Pricing for these components can be sourced from online retailers such as Amazon, Newegg, and specialized networking providers to generate accurate cost estimates, typically ranging from $1500 to $3000 for equipment depending on specifications and brand choices.

Timeline of Installation

The installation process is estimated to span three weeks, divided into phases:

  1. Week 1: Procurement of equipment, site preparation, and initial layout planning.
  2. Week 2: Physical installation of cabling, port plates, and patch panels; installation of switches and power supplies.
  3. Week 3: Configuration of network devices, testing connectivity, and troubleshooting.

These estimates allow flexibility for unexpected delays, with detailed planning ensuring timely completion.

Chosen Network Topology

The recommended topology for this facility is a hierarchical star topology. This topology features a central switch or switch cluster (core layer) connected directly to each office’s switch (access layer) via structured cabling. The star topology provides:

  • Ease of troubleshooting — individual connections can be tested and isolated.
  • Scalability — additional endpoints can be integrated with minimal disruption.
  • Reliability — failure of one branch does not affect others, provided redundancies are in place.

The core switch acts as the network’s backbone, connecting to the internet gateway, servers, and other critical devices.

Basic Network Configuration

The network will feature VLAN segmentation for voicing and data traffic, enhancing security and traffic management. Each office will have at least two ports: one for voice (connected to VoIP phones) and one for data (computers, printers). The core switch will support DHCP for dynamic IP address allocation, with static IPs assigned to servers and network appliances. Wireless access points (WAPs) can be integrated for mobility, configured with WPA3 encryption for security.

Security measures include implementing firmware updates, access controls, and firewalls at the gateway. Network monitoring tools will be utilized for ongoing performance management.

Justification of Choices

The use of Cat6 cabling aligns with current standards for high-speed, reliable data transfer supporting up to 10 Gbps over short distances, suitable for enterprise needs (Cisco, 2021). Managed switches provide advanced features such as VLAN support, Quality of Service (QoS), and SNMP monitoring, which are vital for managing multiple devices efficiently (Odom, 2018). The hierarchical star topology balances performance and fault tolerance, enabling straightforward troubleshooting and scalable growth (Silos, 2019).

Choosing a structured cabling system simplifies future expansions and maintenance. The timeline is designed for efficiency without rushing critical steps, reducing errors and rework. Justifications for hardware choices are based on balancing cost, performance, and future-proofing, ensuring the network remains robust as needs evolve (Kurose & Ross, 2017).

Conclusion

Constructing a well-planned network infrastructure for ACME, Inc. requires meticulous preparation, justified hardware selection, and a phased approach to installation. By employing a hierarchical star topology, leveraging reliable cabling standards, and ensuring security, the proposed plan offers a scalable and resilient network foundation that will support current and future business operations effectively.

References

  • Cisco. (2021). Cisco Cat6 Ethernet Cabling Standards. Cisco Systems.
  • Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2017). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.). Pearson.
  • Odom, W. (2018). CCNA Routing and Switching 200-125 Official Cert Guide. Cisco Press.
  • Silos, M. (2019). Building Resilient Networks. Network World.
  • Vallee, R. (2019). Network Infrastructure Design Principles. TechTarget.
  • West, J. (2020). Structured Cabling Systems. BICSI.
  • Anderson, D. (2022). Guide to Network Topologies. Network Computing.
  • Fitzgerald, J., & Dennis, A. (2021). Business Data Communications and Networking. Pearson.
  • Leung, H., & Yu, P. (2020). Modern Networking Hardware. IEEE Communications Magazine.
  • Stewart, J. (2019). Installation and Configuration of Network Devices. Network Professional.

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