Networks By G Y Submission Date 30 Jul 2020 08:28 Am UTC 05:

Networksby G Ysubmission Date 30 Jul 2020 0828am Utc0530submiss

Networks by G Y Submission date: 30-Jul-:28AM (UTC+0530) Submission ID: File name: network_design.docx (71.79K) Word count: 491 Character count: % SIMILARITY INDEX 6% INTERNET SOURCES 0% PUBLICATIONS 11% STUDENT PAPERS 14% 23% 22% 2% Exclude quotes Off Exclude bibliography Off Exclude matches Off Networks ORIGINALITY REPORT PRIMARY SOURCES Submitted to Colorado Technical University Online Student Paper Submitted to Barnet and Southgate College Student Paper Submitted to Monash University Student Paper Submitted to Study Group Australia Student Paper Networks by G Y Networks ORIGINALITY REPORT PRIMARY SOURCES NETWORK DESIGN 7 Network Design Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Local Area Networks Project Overview The aim of the project is to design the appropriate computer network for a dental office within the neighborhood. The computer network design is set to meet the current and future IT needs of the two dentists owning the place, their staff, and their clients. This project recognizes that the stakeholders involved desire a robust, fast, reliable, flexible, and secure computer network at an affordable cost. The network design would ensure that there is access to shared resources like printers and servers. The design of the dentist office's computer network will ensure that there would be an efficient process of storing, retrieving, manipulating, and sharing of client information and other medical information. Computer Hardware The computer hardware present in the network includes a router, switch, two printers, 6 desktop computers, a server computer and a wireless router. Printer Overview There are two printers in the facility. One of the printers is at the reception office and is not available for sharing. The other printer however, is available for sharing. The shared printer is connected to the switch where other users in the network could request for it through the switch. The printers model is HP LaserJet Pro MFP M22fdw. Its print speed is 28ppm and the paper capacity is up to 300 sheets. Network Design The network design is the star physical topology. Every device on the network is connected to a central point which is the switch. Each device on the network is connected to the switch via the CAT6 Ethernet cable. The two laptops are however connected to the switch via a wireless router. The switch is then connected to the internet via an external router. A switch is ideal for this network design because it eliminates codations. With the absence of codations, the network is fast and efficient. The star physical topology also makes the network fault tolerant, thereby reducing any chances of the entire network shutting down in case one device goes down. IP Addresses The IP address used in the network design is IPv6. All the devices in the network, except the external router connecting the local area network to the internet has private IP addresses ranging from 192.168.20.3 to 192.168.20.30. Each device on the network has its own IP address except for the unshared printer. The two laptops have no static IP address since they get assigned at random by the wireless router. The wireless router acts as the DHCP server. The IP address for the external router is 176.30.12.15. Pricing Information The printers cost $537.80 while all the computers cost $300.00 each and the laptops $500.00 each. The total cost for the Ethernet cables was $100.00. The cost of the router and the switch was $60.00 and $300.00 respectively. The labor costs was $1000.00. Network Design Diagram Reference Wu, C. H. J., & Irwin, J. D. (2016). Introduction to computer networks and cybersecurity. CRC Press.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a robust and efficient computer network for a dental office requires careful planning and an understanding of both the technical aspects of network design and the specific needs of the business environment. In this paper, I will discuss the critical elements involved in designing a local area network (LAN) for a dental practice, emphasizing hardware, topology, IP addressing, security considerations, and cost implications.

Introduction

In today's digitized world, healthcare facilities such as dental offices rely heavily on computer networks to manage patient records, administrative functions, appointment scheduling, billing, and internal communication. An effective network must ensure data security, high availability, and scalability to accommodate future growth. The design process involves selecting suitable hardware, establishing an optimal topology, implementing appropriate IP addressing schemes, and ensuring security measures are in place to protect sensitive information.

Hardware Components

The core hardware components for the dental office network include routers, switches, servers, printers, desktop computers, and wireless devices. The network requires at least one router to connect the local network to the wider internet, and a switch to interconnect devices within the LAN. Printers and desktop computers form the primary workstations, with some laptops enabling mobile connectivity. In the proposed design, a high-quality wireless router provides mobility for laptops, while a switch ensures wired connections for desktops and servers, facilitating efficient data transfer (Wu & Irwin, 2016).

Network Topology

The star topology is chosen for its simplicity, fault tolerance, and ease of management. In this configuration, all devices connect directly to a central switch, which manages data flow and reduces collision domains. The star topology enhances network reliability, as failure of a single device doesn't affect the entire network. Additionally, it simplifies troubleshooting and enables easy scalability by adding new devices without disrupting existing connections (Tanenbaum & Wetherall, 2011).

IP Addressing Scheme

Implementing IPv6 addresses, as described in the project, offers several advantages over IPv4, such as increased address space and improved security features. In this design, private IP addresses ranging from 192.168.20.3 to 192.168.20.30 are used for internal devices, and the external router has a public IP address of 176.30.12.15. The wireless router functions as a DHCP server, dynamically assigning IP addresses to laptops. Static IP addresses are assigned to servers and other critical devices to facilitate network management and security (Hussain & Lav, 2017).

Security Considerations

Network security is paramount in a healthcare environment. Employing WPA3 encryption on the wireless network, implementing strong password policies, and enabling firewall protection are essential. Additionally, access controls should restrict network access to authorized personnel only, and data encryption must be employed for sensitive client and medical records. Regular security audits and updates are necessary to safeguard against evolving threats (IEEE Standards Association, 2019).

Cost Analysis

The financial aspect of network deployment influences technical choices and scalability. The estimated costs include $537.80 for printers, $1,800 for six desktop computers ($300 each), and $1,000 for two laptops ($500 each). Additional expenses comprise $100 for Ethernet cables, $60 for the router, $300 for the switch, and $1,000 for labor, totaling approximately $4,797.80. Cost-effective hardware choices are essential to balance performance with budget constraints while ensuring future scalability (Wu & Irwin, 2016).

Conclusion

Designing a reliable and secure LAN for a dental practice involves integrating suitable hardware, topology, IP scheme, and security measures. The star topology provides fault tolerance and scalability, while IPv6 addressing ensures future-proofing. Proper security safeguards protect sensitive data, and cost considerations guide hardware and implementation choices. This comprehensive approach guarantees an efficient network solution tailored to the specific needs of the dental office, supporting current operations and future growth.

References

• Hussain, M., & Lav, M. (2017). IPv6 security: Potential threats and countermeasures. Journal of Network and Systems Management, 25(2), 319-340.
• IEEE Standards Association. (2019). IEEE 802.11ax-2019 standard for Wi-Fi networks (Wi-Fi 6). IEEE.
• Tanenbaum, A. S., & Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks (5th ed.). Pearson.
• Wu, C. H. J., & Irwin, J. D. (2016). Introduction to computer networks and cybersecurity. CRC Press.
• Additional scholarly articles on network design best practices.