Implementing Managing And Maintaining A Network Infrastructu ✓ Solved

Implementing Managing And Maintaining A Network Infrastructure It327u

Implementing, Managing and Maintaining a Network Infrastructure IT327 Unit 3 - Individual Project Randle Kuhn 03/07/16 Contents Target Organization 3 Analysis and Recommendations 4 Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Addressing and Management 6 Fault Tolerance Plan 9 Security Plan 12 Network Monitoring 13 References 14 Target Organization The network needs of any organization must be maintained within the scope of operation to ensure reliable communication and connection throughout. Clients must enjoy continual connectivity and service delivery, with maximum security implementations for efficient information relay and transmission. Each section of the organization requires connection to ensure distributed working and sharing of resources within the company environment. As such, an organization’s needs towards network maintenance are mandatory in whichever field. Basing on the Toyota Motor Vehicles Company, the network requirements here are in high demand. The company spans across the entire globe, supplying manufactured goods throughout. This calls for efficient management of all the clients and workers within the framework. This can only be achieved through a reliable networked environment, which provides for connection across the globe via internet servers, mailing servers, and other clients. Analysis and Recommendations Workstations provide for such connections, with Internet Service Providers playing another key role in ensuring delivery of packets to the desired destination. Toyota Motor Vehicles Company is a huge corporation dealing with motor vehicle parts and whole body parts distribution. Sales can be made online or booked online, depending on the location or country in review. This translates to the large demand for a perfect network infrastructure (Daft, 2016). Currently, Toyota uses a web-based platform to communicate to its customers, agent outlets, and other stakeholders. This network is maintained by different servers such as web servers, mailing servers, remote servers, and other types of servers that ensure connection is made to the terminals at the respective locations. Workstations are mainly found at the outlets and head offices managing the entire network infrastructure, with a team of professionals running the entire network. However, there is a main challenge regarding the network infrastructure in place. The security of the network is one key element that should be put under consideration. Online transactions would improve the traffic to the company and, moreover, increase the number of purchases made within the organization. This means that a platform for online transactions should be made to facilitate this task. However, this comes with another cost, a necessity for improved security since monetary transactions will be involved. Every customer needs assurance of a secure environment to conduct any transaction online. Hence, as a company, Toyota should embrace new forms of security concerns to boost its network infrastructure. The first step towards enhancing network infrastructure security is to enable and install network security scanners to crawl through all the open ports for any possible vulnerability within the ports. Any unused ports must be shut down to prevent exposure to attacks and exploitations. Network firewalls act as other means to filter out unwanted connections from untrusted sites or machines. This helps to prevent any infiltration and incidences of SQL injections and other attacks, strengthening security measures for the company. The network servers require anti-spam and antivirus software to block any spam messages or viruses that may infiltrate into the company files and could cause heavy destruction of company data. Viruses are a major source of company downfall since they attack targeted sites and information (Wong & Yeung, 2009). The other way of ensuring improvement in network infrastructure is by reconfiguring network connections to meet only the trusted connections and addresses. Security rules are defined within these configurations, and any site or source of connection that does not meet the configurations is blocked from connecting to the company resources or sharing any of the resources. Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Addressing and Management TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol. It is the basic communication protocol for the internet and is used for private networks too. Whenever a user is set up with internet access, they are provided with a copy of TCP/IP software. This is an essential network tool that organizations can implement effectively to facilitate faster communication and data flow within the network. TCP/IP operates as a two-layer protocol system. The higher layer, the Transmission Control Protocol, assembles smaller packets and transmits them through the network, while the lower layer, the Internet Protocol, handles message addressing to ensure delivery to the correct destination. Each gateway checks the address to forward messages appropriately; packets of the same message may be routed differently but are reassembled at the destination. The addressing scheme in TCP/IP is critical for identifying specific networks and devices, similar to a postal address, enabling data to be routed correctly. TCP/IP assigns addresses to networks, sub-networks, and hosts based on standards, with each device requiring a unique IP address. The addressing classes—A, B, and C—support different scales of network size, with class A comprising 8-bit network and 24-bit host addresses, class B with 16-bit network and 16-bit host addresses, and class C with 24-bit network and 8-bit host addresses. The management of IP addresses is crucial; organizations require centralized control to avoid conflicts and ensure efficient address utilization. Network administrators must keep track of assigned addresses and ensure no duplication or conflict occurs, which could disrupt communication. Consistent address management supports network stability and security, forming an essential part of infrastructure maintenance. Properly implemented TCP/IP protocols enhance organizational communication by ensuring rapid data transfer, effective routing, and secure network operation (Hunt, 1998). In conclusion, TCP/IP is fundamental to modern network infrastructure, providing a scalable and manageable framework suited for large organizations like Toyota. Its effective management minimizes conflicts and improves overall network performance. Fault Tolerance Plan When a network experiences failures, it can severely impact organizational operations, leading to data loss, reduced productivity, and revenue loss. Establishing a comprehensive fault tolerance plan is vital to ensure continuity and resilience against network failures. There are several common causes of network failures, including hardware issues, misconfigurations, outdated technology, security breaches, and software incompatibilities. Addressing these issues proactively can mitigate their effects and reduce downtime.

One primary source of failure is malfunctioning network interface cards (NICs). Faulty NICs can cause sluggish network performance or complete shutdowns. Troubleshooting involves disconnecting and replacing damaged NICs, ensuring that network hardware functions optimally (Raza & Turner, 2000). Cables are another critical component; poor-quality or damaged cables can introduce latency or packet loss, disrupting network traffic. Regular inspections and using high-quality, properly installed cabling can prevent such issues. Improper network management, including inadequate configuration, lack of documentation, or poor monitoring, can lead to failures that are difficult to diagnose. Employing network management tools such as SNMP-based monitoring systems enables administrators to track network performance, detect anomalies early, and make informed decisions (Schudel & Smith, 2008). Obsolete technology also poses significant risks; outdated hardware or software lacks security patches and may not support modern protocols, making networks vulnerable to attacks and inefficiencies. Upgrading hardware and software periodically ensures compatibility and security.

Firmware and hardware incompatibilities can cause unpredictable failures. Monitoring tools that provide real-time insights into network device statuses can help identify non-responsive components. Addressing such issues promptly involves firmware updates and replacing incompatible hardware. The holistic approach to fault tolerance encompasses redundant hardware configurations, such as dual NICs, backup power supplies, and clustered servers that can take over in case of component failure. Additionally, implementing a comprehensive disaster recovery plan, including data backups and recovery procedures, is essential for restoring normal operations swiftly after failures.

Lastly, staff training is crucial; well-trained personnel can recognize early signs of failure and respond appropriately, reducing downtime and damage. Integrating preventive maintenance routines, regular testing, and timely technology upgrades creates a resilient network infrastructure less prone to failures. A proactive fault tolerance plan not only minimizes downtime but also enhances overall organizational productivity by ensuring network availability and reliability (Long, 2001). Moreover, investing in security measures protects the network from malicious attacks, which are increasingly common causes of network data breaches and outages. Combining hardware redundancy, proactive management, staff training, and security strategies creates a comprehensive approach to fault tolerance that safeguards organizational assets and ensures continuous business operations.

Security Plan Network monitoring and robust security protocols are integral to safeguarding organizational information and maintaining system integrity. An effective security plan involves implementing multiple layers of defense, including intrusion detection systems, firewalls, encryption, and regular security audits. Continuous network monitoring enables real-time detection of anomalies such as unauthorized access attempts, malware infections, or unusual traffic spikes, which can indicate security breaches.

Firewalls serve as gatekeepers, filtering inbound and outbound traffic based on predefined security rules to prevent unauthorized access. Configuring firewalls correctly is vital; open ports should be minimized, and only necessary services allowed, reducing attack vectors (Wong & Yeung, 2009). Additionally, deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) provides real-time alerts on suspicious activities, allowing swift response to potential threats. Content filtering and anti-malware solutions further enhance security by blocking malicious content and viruses that could compromise network integrity.

Authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), ensure that only authorized personnel access sensitive resources. Encryption protocols, including SSL/TLS, safeguard data transmission, especially during online transactions. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments help identify weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them. These assessments include scanning for open ports, outdated software, and misconfigurations, followed by remediation actions.

Employee training is also a critical element of the security plan; staff should be educated on security best practices, phishing awareness, and incident reporting procedures. Since human error remains a leading cause of security breaches, fostering a security-conscious organizational culture is essential. Implementing policy frameworks aligned with international standards, such as ISO/IEC 27001, provides a structured approach to managing information security.

Lastly, a comprehensive security policy incorporates incident response and recovery procedures, ensuring that the organization can respond effectively to breaches, minimize damage, and restore normal operations rapidly. Regular updates and improvements to security measures are required to adapt to evolving threats. A layered security approach, grounded in continuous monitoring and staff awareness, forms the backbone of a resilient security infrastructure that protects organizational assets and maintains stakeholder trust (Schudel & Smith, 2008).

References

Daft, R.L. (2016). Organization theory & design.

Hunt, C. (1998). TCP/IP network administration. O'Reilly.

Long, C. S. (2001). IP network design. Osborne/McGraw-Hill.

Raza, K., & Turner, M. (2000). Large-scale IP network solutions. Macmillan.

Schudel, G., & Smith, D. J. (2008). Router security strategies: Securing IP network traffic planes. Cisco Press.

Wong, A., & Yeung, A. (2009). Network infrastructure security. Springer.

Mohan, V. (2013). Top 10 reasons for network downtime. Geek Speak.

Additional credible sources on network security and management are incorporated to support best practices in maintaining resilient and secure network infrastructures across organizational contexts.