Network Proposal Overview For EchoSoft Educational Software

Network Proposal Overview EchoSoft is An Educational Software Developer

EchoSoft is an educational software developer with multiple offices across North America and Europe. The company is experiencing growth, requiring a comprehensive upgrade of its network infrastructure from an ad hoc setup to a centralized Windows 2012 R2 Active Directory environment. The current infrastructure includes outdated servers running Windows 2003/2008 and UNIX systems, with insufficient redundancy, security vulnerabilities, and deployment inefficiencies. This proposal aims to enhance network reliability, security, scalability, and manageability to support EchoSoft's growth and operational needs.

The key aspects of this design include a robust, fault-tolerant Active Directory topology, a scalable and secure DNS and DHCP infrastructure, efficient deployment strategies for workstations and servers, and secure remote access solutions. The proposal emphasizes seamless integration of new and existing sites, including the recently acquired EduTech and the new Austin office, ensuring they are fully integrated into the Active Directory forest with trust relationships and manageable policies. Additionally, the design addresses the need for automated deployment using Windows Deployment Services (WDS) and Virtual Machine Manager, facilitating timely server and workstation provisioning.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of educational technology and global business operations, organizations like EchoSoft require a secure, scalable, and manageable network infrastructure to support their growth and mission. Upgrading from a fragmented environment to a centralized, resilient Active Directory domain, combined with advanced deployment and remote access solutions, will position EchoSoft for operational excellence. This proposal outlines a comprehensive design that integrates modern best practices, ensuring robust security, high availability, and efficient resource management across all locations.

Current Challenges and Organizational Goals

EchoSoft’s current network infrastructure presents several challenges: outdated server hardware and software, insecure and static IP configurations, limited redundancy, and insecure remote access. The reliance on single domain controllers at most locations introduces significant risks of downtime. The existing DNS infrastructure, hosted on a UNIX server, is vulnerable to security breaches, impairing name resolution and service availability. With plans to expand and acquire new entities like EduTech, the organization faces the necessity of a redundant, scalable, and secure network architecture that supports both current and future business objectives.

Proposed Active Directory Topology and Domain Strategy

Central to this proposal is establishing a multi-site Active Directory topology based on Windows Server 2012 R2, ensuring all domain controllers (DCs) operate on the latest supported OS to leverage new features and security improvements. Each site will host at least two domain controllers for redundancy and load balancing—Vienna, San Jose, Dublin, and Austin—thus guaranteeing Active Directory availability even if one DC fails. The Austin site will be integrated into the existing forest with secure trust relationships with EduTech’s Active Directory, enabling seamless resource sharing.

Design considerations include deploying Read-Only Domain Controllers (RODCs) at remote sites to enhance security, especially in locations with less physical security—such as Austin. Site links and replication schedules will be optimized to reduce latency and network load, considering the geographical distribution of offices and remote users. Active Directory replication topology will be carefully planned for consistency and efficiency, with monitoring tools implemented to detect and resolve conflicts proactively.

Server Infrastructure and Upgrades

Current servers running Windows Server 2008/2003 and UNIX systems will be upgraded or replaced to meet modern standards. Each location will host dedicated servers for essential roles such as DNS, DHCP, file sharing, print services, and Remote Access. For example, Vienna’s dual DCs will run Windows Server 2012 R2; San Jose and Dublin will upgrade their single DCs to Windows Server 2012 R2 and deploy additional domain controllers for redundancy. The UNIX servers hosting DNS will be replaced with Windows DNS servers, Active Directory-integrated DNS zones to enhance security and manageability.

The deployment of dedicated DNS servers across sites ensures reliable name resolution, with DNSSEC enabled to safeguard from spoofing attacks. DHCP servers will be configured in failover mode, utilizing DHCP failover clustering or split scopes, providing continuous DHCP service even during server outages. Servers supporting critical services such as File and Print sharing will be upgraded to Windows Server 2012 R2, leveraging their improved performance, scalability, and security features.

Network Addressing and DHCP Design

Automated IP address assignment will be achieved via a fault-tolerant DHCP infrastructure. DHCP failover clustering or load-sharing configurations will be implemented to ensure high availability, with split scope or load balancing strategies to distribute network load effectively. DHCP servers will be located at each site and synchronized to prevent IP conflicts and to allow seamless client mobility. DHCP filtering and policies will restrict unauthorized devices from obtaining IP addresses, while DHCP options will be used to facilitate client configuration.

DNS Strategy

A hierarchical, Active Directory–integrated DNS design will be adopted, supporting secure delegation and zone transfers for external resolution. DNS zones will be configured with DNSSEC to prevent cache poisoning. Disjoint namespace configurations will be avoided; internal DNS naming will be consistent across sites to facilitate resource access. The implementation of DNS caching, socket pooling, and zone delegation ensures scalable and resilient DNS resolution, maintaining service availability during network failures or outages.

Remote Access Solution

A secure, scalable remote access infrastructure will be implemented using site-to-site VPNs and DirectAccess. VPN configurations will include strong packet filtering policies and network authentication mechanisms, ensuring only authorized users gain access. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be integrated with VPN and DirectAccess solutions, reinforcing organizational security policies. This approach will accommodate remote workers and mobile users, providing seamless access to internal resources while maintaining compliance with security standards.

Workstation and Server Deployment Strategies

Automated deployment strategies utilizing Windows Deployment Services (WDS) will be employed to streamline the roll-out of Windows 8 workstations and Windows Server 2012 R2 servers. Using image-based deployment, including multicast and bare-metal installation options, will reduce deployment time and resource consumption. Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) will be configured with templates for operating systems, hardware, and application profiles, facilitating rapid provisioning of server environments. Deployment profiles will include configurations for scaling, updates, and maintenance, ensuring consistent system states and efficient management across all sites.

Security and Management Enhancements

Security measures include implementing Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) for secure resource sharing, Group Policy enhancements for policy management, and network security protocols including IPsec and 802.1X for LAN access. Regular patching, antivirus management, and real-time monitoring systems will be deployed to enhance security posture.

Management tools such as System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) and System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) will enable centralized control, monitoring, and troubleshooting, reducing downtime and operational costs. Proper training and documentation will be provided for IT staff to effectively utilize these tools and maintain the infrastructure.

Cost-Effectiveness and Competitive Advantage

This design emphasizes using enterprise-grade features like failover clustering, site resilience, and automation to reduce operational costs and downtime. By leveraging Windows Server 2012 R2’s capabilities, EchoSoft can minimize future upgrade costs, improve service delivery, and maintain high security standards. Its comprehensive, integrated approach offers a competitive advantage through robust security, scalability, and ease of management—factors that are highly valued in educational and corporate environments.

Conclusion

Implementing this network infrastructure will enable EchoSoft to achieve a reliable, secure, and scalable environment supporting current operations and future growth. The strategic deployment of Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, virtualization, and remote access infrastructure will ensure high availability, enhanced security, and simplified management. The proposal aligns with best practices in network design and provides a cost-effective roadmap for revolutionizing EchoSoft’s network capabilities.

References

  • Microsoft. (2013). Active Directory Domain Services Deployment Guide. Microsoft Docs.
  • Microsoft. (2015). DHCP Server Deployment. Microsoft Docs.
  • Microsoft. (2016). DNS Design and Deployment. Microsoft Docs.
  • Kim, D. (2014). Windows Server 2012 R2 Unleashed. Sams Publishing.
  • Rakhman, A. (2017). Virtualization and Cloud Computing in Windows Server. Pearson Education.
  • Strohm, D. (2018). Design and Implementation of Virtual Machine Manager. TechTarget.
  • Smith, J. (2019). Best Practices for Active Directory Security. TechNet Magazine.
  • Johnson, K. (2020). Secure Remote Access Solutions. CISCO White Paper.
  • Vacca, J. (2021). Network Security & Defense. Elsevier.
  • Roberts, P. (2022). Automated Deployment Strategies for Modern Networks. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials.

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