Our Company Is Upgrading The Network Infrastructure

Our Company Is In The Process Of Upgrading The Network Infrastructure

Our company is in the process of upgrading the network infrastructure, which involves moving from a 10BaseT to 100BaseT network. Currently, they use bus topology in the network. As a member of the data network team, you are asked to take care of a portion of this upgrade. You would also like to suggest they move from bus topology to star topology. Justify your suggestion to update to star topology. What updates would you have about network hardware in order to move to 100BaseT? How would you provide the best desktop connectivity for end users, and the fastest possible throughput and security for the payroll department? In addition, decide what type of devices to use in the closet. Write a 2-4 page paper using the APA style that summarizes your findings, and provides enough detail to fully support your opinion and any arguments.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The current network infrastructure of our company is predicated on a bus topology, utilizing 10BaseT Ethernet technology. This design has served adequately in the past but presents significant limitations in terms of scalability, reliability, and performance. The transition to a 100BaseT network is essential to meet the increasing demands for bandwidth, speed, and security. This paper offers a comprehensive justification for transitioning from a bus topology to a star topology, identifies necessary hardware updates for 100BaseT deployment, and proposes strategies to optimize desktop connectivity, throughput, and security, particularly for the payroll department. Additionally, device selections for the network closet are discussed to support these upgrades effectively.

Justification for Moving from Bus Topology to Star Topology

The bus topology, where all devices share a common communication line, is increasingly obsolete due to its vulnerabilities and limitations. Its primary drawback is the lack of fault tolerance; if the main cable fails, the entire network becomes inoperable. Moreover, as the number of devices increases, network congestion and collisions become more frequent, degrading performance (Tanenbaum & Wetherall, 2011).

In contrast, a star topology centers all devices around a central switch or hub, providing numerous advantages. Primarily, it enhances reliability—the failure of one connection or device does not affect others. It also simplifies troubleshooting, as issues can be isolated to individual connections or devices. Furthermore, a star topology supports higher bandwidths and reduces data collisions because each device communicates directly with the switch rather than sharing a common bus (Kurose & Ross, 2017).

Given the company's move to a faster 100BaseT Ethernet, the star topology's ability to handle increased data rates and its improved fault tolerance make it the optimal choice. It aligns with organizational goals for network reliability, performance, and ease of management.

Network Hardware Updates for Transition to 100BaseT

Transitioning from 10BaseT to 100BaseT requires significant hardware upgrades. Primarily, network cabling must be upgraded to Category 5e or higher, such as Category 6, which supports gigabit speeds and future scalability (Cisco, 2020). This cabling provides the necessary bandwidth and reduced crosstalk for high-speed data transmission.

Switches are pivotal in this upgrade. Existing hubs must be replaced with managed or unmanaged switches capable of handling 100 Mbps or higher. Managed switches offer advanced features like VLAN segmentation, Quality of Service (QoS), and security controls essential for optimizing network performance and management (Odom, 2018).

Network Interface Cards (NICs) in end-user devices and servers also need to support 100BaseT to effectively utilize the upgraded infrastructure. Ensuring compatibility across hardware devices prevents bottlenecks and ensures full utilization of 100 Mbps speeds.

Optimizing Desktop Connectivity and Security

To provide optimal desktop connectivity, deploying switches that support Power over Ethernet (PoE) can facilitate the connection of VoIP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras, reducing clutter and simplifying installation (Cisco, 2020). For high-performance applications such as payroll processing, dedicated switch ports with Quality of Service (QoS) configurations can prioritize critical traffic, ensuring swift and reliable data transfer.

For the payroll department, implementing VLANs can segregate sensitive data, enhancing security. Physical security measures, such as locked network closets and secure switch placements, should be enforced. Network access controls, including port security and authentication protocols like 802.1X, will prevent unauthorized access (Odom, 2018).

Wireless connectivity should be optimized with dual-band access points supporting the latest Wi-Fi standards, ensuring high throughput and minimal interference. Proper placement and channel planning will maximize coverage and performance for end users.

Devices in the Network Closet

In the network closet, enterprise-grade switches that support managed configurations, VLANs, and PoE should be employed. These switches should have sufficient ports to connect all departmental segments and user endpoints (Cisco, 2020). Additionally, fiber optic uplinks might be necessary for high-bandwidth backbones or inter-floor connectivity, providing scalable, high-speed links with minimal latency.

Routers and firewalls should be installed to segment traffic between different network segments and to enforce security policies. Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) units are essential to protect hardware from power outages and surges, ensuring continuous operation and data integrity.

Conclusion

Upgrading from a bus to a star topology and transitioning to 100BaseT Ethernet are critical steps in enhancing our company's network performance, reliability, and security. The star topology's inherent fault tolerance and scalability significantly outperform bus systems in modern enterprise environments. Hardware upgrades, including new cabling, switches, and NICs, are fundamental to realizing these improvements. Optimizing desktop connectivity through managed switches, VLANs, and security protocols will safeguard sensitive data, particularly in high-stakes departments like payroll. Proper device selection for the network closet, emphasizing managed switches and fiber links, ensures a resilient infrastructure capable of supporting future growth.

References

• Cisco. (2020). Switching Basics: What Is a Switch? Cisco Documentation. https://www.cisco.com
• Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2017). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.). Pearson.
• Odom, W. (2018). CCNA Routing and Switching 200-125 Official Cert Guide. Cisco Press.
• Tanenbaum, A. S., & Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks (5th ed.). Pearson.