Designing A Network Infrastructure For Verbania, Inc.

Designing a Network Infrastructure for Verbania, Inc.: Requirements

Scenario: A former dot com company, Verbania, Inc., shut down in 2001 due to the Internet bubble burst. It is now attempting to reinvent itself and re-enter the market with a new social networking website and mobile application intending to rival leading social media platforms. The company plans to establish its headquarters in Silicon Valley, California, and seeks an advanced, future-proof IT solution covering hardware, software, networking, and security. The new network infrastructure must support data, VoIP, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) requirements, facilitate integration with a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system that pulls social media data for analysis, and ensure remote access capabilities. Additionally, interoperability with other technologies such as CRM and security considerations are critical.

Paper For Above instruction

Designing a resilient and scalable network infrastructure for Verbania, Inc. necessitates a comprehensive understanding of modern networking principles, security practices, and integration strategies. The company’s objective to develop a social networking platform with strong technological groundwork demands thoughtful planning of topology, cabling, remote access, system integration, and security protocols to prepare for future internet trends.

Network Topology Recommendations

For the corporate backbone and wired or wireless connections, the recommended topology is a hybrid model combining a star and hierarchical architecture. The star topology offers robust performance and fault isolation, with central switches connecting all devices, simplifying management and troubleshooting (FitzGerald & Dennis, 2019). Hierarchical design further segments the network into core, distribution, and access layers to enhance scalability, security, and performance. This design offers redundancy at critical points, ensuring high availability essential for a dynamic social media platform. Wireless networks benefit from deploying enterprise-grade Wi-Fi access points configured in a mesh or extended star formation to deliver reliable coverage across the headquarters (Cisco, 2017).

Cabling Recommendations

Category 6a twisted-pair Ethernet cabling is proposed to support high-speed data transmission up to 10 Gbps over extended distances, making it suitable for data centers, server rooms, and user workstations (Fluke Networks, 2016). For potential future upgrades, fiber optic cabling should be incorporated into backbone segments, especially for inter-building or data center links, to support higher bandwidths and longer distances with minimal interference (Alcatel-Lucent, 2018). Fiber optic ensures scalability and reduces latency, vital for real-time social media interactions and large data analytics.

Remote Access Accommodation

To support remote staff and stakeholders, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) infrastructure employing secure protocols such as IPsec or SSL/TLS should be implemented. Remote access solutions must be integrated with multi-factor authentication (MFA), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and device management policies to prevent unauthorized entry (Moyer et al., 2018). Cloud-based VPN services combined with on-premises gateways offer scalability and resilience, ensuring employees can securely access internal resources from any location, which is critical for a social media enterprise.

CRM and Social Media Integration

Combining the social media website with CRM involves deploying Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and middleware capable of real-time data exchange. An API-driven architecture supports data pulling from social media APIs such as Facebook Graph API, Twitter API, or Instagram Graph API, integrating customer interactions directly into the CRM. Use of middleware platforms such as MuleSoft or Dell Boomi can orchestrate data workflows, ensuring efficient synchronization, analytics, and segmentation (Rahman et al., 2020). A customer data platform (CDP) can be added to unify social media insights with existing customer data, enabling personalized marketing and improved user engagement.

Security Considerations

Implementing layered security measures is vital. Firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) should be used at network entry points to monitor and block malicious traffic (Garfinkel & Spafford, 2017). Secure Wi-Fi configurations with WPA3, network segmentation using Virtual LANs (VLANs), and strict access policies form the first defense line. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security awareness training for staff help identify and mitigate evolving threats. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools can provide centralized monitoring and incident response capabilities (Scarfone & Mell, 2016). Automated backups and disaster recovery processes further safeguard critical data assets.

Conclusion

Developing a future-proof network infrastructure for Verbania, Inc. involves a strategic topological design, use of high-performance cabling, robust remote access solutions, seamless social media-CRM integration, and comprehensive security measures. By adopting a hybrid topology with fiber optics, securing remote connections, deploying API-driven integration, and establishing multi-layered security, Verbania can establish a reliable, scalable, and secure platform poised to adapt to technological advances and industry trends.

References

• Alcatel-Lucent. (2018). Fiber Optic Cabling for Data Centers. Alcatel-Lucent Technologies.
• Cisco. (2017). Enterprise Wireless Network Design. Cisco Systems.
• FitzGerald, J., & Dennis, A. (2019). Business Data Communications and Networking (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Fluke Networks. (2016). Understanding Cat6a Wiring and Performance. Fluke Networks Publications.
• Garfinkel, S., & Spafford, G. (2017). Practical Unix & Internet Security (3rd ed.). O'Reilly Media.
• Moyer, L., et al. (2018). Securing Remote Access for Enterprise Networks. Journal of Network Security, 14(2), 45-57.
• Rahman, M., Khatun, S., & Farzana, S. (2020). API Integration for Customer Data Platforms in Social Media Marketing. International Journal of Information Management, 50, 268-273.
• Scarfone, K., & Mell, P. (2016). Guide to Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS). NIST Special Publication 800-94.