NTC/320 V4 West Consulting Network Design Summary
NTC/320 v4 West Consulting Network Design Summary
West Consulting is a graphic design and printing company experiencing growth in customer base and sales volume. To accommodate this expansion, the company is enlarging its Houston, Texas headquarters by adding a new building, as well as establishing a test facility in China with approximately 30 staff members. The increasing demand for their computer-aided design (CAD) services has highlighted deficiencies in their current network infrastructure, leading to frequent degraded performance and heavy latency experienced by users accessing centralized servers hosting CAD applications.
The primary challenge involves upgrading their existing network setup to support additional users and geographic locations while ensuring high security, redundancy, and performance. Specifically, the company requires a comprehensive plan to modernize their network to handle future demands, maintain secure connections, enhance bandwidth, and facilitate global operations effectively within a 4 to 6 month timeline.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
As the digital transformation accelerates, organizations like West Consulting must adapt their network infrastructure to support higher data loads, remote operations, and international expansion. An effective network design not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures security, scalability, and resilience. This paper articulates a strategic plan for modernizing and expanding West Consulting's network infrastructure, addressing their current limitations and future growth prospects.
Current Network Overview and Challenges
West Consulting's existing network architecture encompasses two buildings in Houston, connected via a 10Gb fiber link, with multiple Cisco Catalyst switches and routers supporting approximately 1,000 users. The backbone switches facilitate connectivity between floors, with subnet segmentation managed via Cisco 2610 routers using EIGRP routing protocol. Servers supporting CAD applications, DHCP, and FTP services are centrally located at headquarters. Wireless connectivity is provided through WPA-encrypted 802.11b access points, although their wireless infrastructure may need upgrading for increased security and capacity.
However, the current network has experienced performance issues, including degraded bandwidth and latency, especially as demand has grown with increased user base and new global branches. Additionally, security threats, particularly within the DMZ, have underscored the need for fortified security measures to protect sensitive intranet servers and user data.
Recommendations for Network Expansion and Performance Enhancement
1. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Solution and Upgrades
To support wireless access for users in the new building, a secure WLAN solution employing enterprise-grade access points supporting current standards such as WPA3 and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) should be implemented. Upgrading existing WLAN infrastructure to Wi-Fi 6 ensures higher throughput, improved security, and better handling of simultaneous connections.
Wireless access points should be strategically placed to provide seamless coverage, with centralized management to monitor performance and security. Deploying multiple access points with load balancing reduces bottlenecks and enhances user experience.
2. Unified Communications Infrastructure
Given the frequency of international videoconferencing calls, a reliable Unified Communications (UC) system must be established. Implementing a Voice over IP (VoIP) system integrated with collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams or Cisco Webex, supported by Quality of Service (QoS) policies, prioritizes real-time traffic, minimizing delays and interruptions. A dedicated bandwidth allocation for UC traffic and redundant internet links enhances system reliability across the company's global sites.
3. IP Addressing and Network Segmentation
To accommodate additional users and locations, transitioning to a scalable IP addressing plan, such as IPv4 with private address space supplemented by Network Address Translation (NAT), is advisable. Deploying IPv6 could be considered for long-term growth, providing vast addressability.
Network segmentation further isolates critical systems, improving security and performance. Implementing VLANs for different departments, subnets, and the DMZ ensures controlled traffic flow and easier management.
4. Network Hardware Upgrades and Redundancy
Switching to 10Gb fiber uplinks between backbone switches increases bandwidth capacity, supporting higher data transfer rates necessary for CAD applications and multimedia content. Upgrading server connections to 10Gb links reduces latency and enhances server responsiveness.
To ensure high availability, redundant links and hardware components such as redundant switches, load balancers, and dual power supplies should be employed. Protocols like Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) offer failover capabilities, minimizing downtime during failures.
5. Data Center Modernization with Virtualization
Implementing server virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V) reduces hardware costs and simplifies management. Virtualized environments enable resource pooling, disaster recovery, and dynamic provisioning, aligning with the company's cost-saving goals while supporting scalability.
6. Internet Link Speed Improvements
Upgrading internet connectivity from T-1 links to fiber-based broadband solutions with symmetrical high-capacity links significantly enhances external bandwidth. Securing redundant internet connections from multiple providers ensures service continuity, essential for international communications and business operations.
7. Enhanced Security Measures
Fortifying security encompasses deploying next-generation firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and implementing robust VPNs for remote access. Hardened DMZ zones with strict access controls and periodic security audits mitigate the risk of attacks. Regular security training for staff fortifies the human element of cybersecurity.
8. Implementation Timeline and Project Management
To complete these enhancements within 4 to 6 months, a phased approach is recommended. Initial phases focus on planning and procurement, followed by infrastructure upgrades, testing, and deployment. Using project management frameworks like Agile or Waterfall ensures structured progress tracking and stakeholder engagement. Working with experienced vendors and consultants accelerates deployment, minimizes risks, and guarantees quality standards are met.
Conclusion
The proposed network redesign emphasizes scalability, security, high performance, and cost efficiency. Upgrading core infrastructure, expanding wireless and wired access, and adopting virtualization and security best practices will position West Consulting for sustainable growth and uninterrupted operational excellence across their domestic and international offices. Strict adherence to project timelines and continuous monitoring are critical to successful implementation.
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