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Provide a detailed plan for extending a campus network to include two classrooms with wireless connectivity. Include recommendations for hardware, network topology, routing protocols, subnetwork segmentation, IP address management, and device specifications, emphasizing best practices for performance and security.

Paper For Above instruction

Extending a campus network to integrate additional classrooms requires meticulous planning to ensure seamless connectivity, efficient traffic management, and robust security. Key aspects involve selecting appropriate networking hardware, designing a reliable topology, configuring routing protocols correctly, segmenting networks logically, and choosing suitable device components. This paper explores a comprehensive plan for implementing such a network extension, focusing on wireless access points, routers, switches, network segmentation, IP addressing strategies, and hardware specifications.

Network Infrastructure and Hardware Selection

The primary goal is to establish wireless connectivity within each classroom alongside wired connections for administrative and shared resources. For wireless access points (APs), the Linksys Wireless-G Access Point (WAP54G) is recommended due to its reliability and ease of integration. Each classroom would have its own WAP54G to broadcast wireless signals, accommodating student mobile devices and instructor laptops. These access points would connect to a central wireless router, which manages wireless traffic and DHCP services within each classroom.

The wireless router chosen should be a Linksys Wireless-G Router, capable of supporting multiple access points and traffic routing. Since multiple routers would be connected in the network extension, changing default IP addresses is vital to prevent conflicts. For instance, assigning the primary router to 192.168.1.1 and subsequent routers to 192.168.2.1 or 192.168.3.1 allows clear separation of subnets.

Connecting these devices requires Ethernet cabling—Cat 6a Ethernet cables are ideal owing to their support for speeds up to 10 Gbps, ensuring high-speed data transmission between access points, routers, and switches. The central switch in the learning center, such as a Cisco Catalyst 3500 with Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, connects to the routers to facilitate efficient traffic forwarding and network management.

Network Design and Segmentation

The network should be segmented into three subnetworks: one for each classroom and a third for the learning center. This segmentation enhances security, grouping related devices, and simplifies troubleshooting. Each classroom’s subnet could be, for example, 192.168.2.0/24 and 192.168.3.0/24, while the learning center might utilize 192.168.4.0/24. The instructor’s PCs in each classroom would serve as supervising computers with static IP configurations to manage local traffic and serve as DHCP servers or relay agents as needed.

Dynamic IP address allocation within classrooms should be limited to accommodate a specific number of students, ensuring reliable assignment via DHCP. The DHCP scope should be configured to prevent IP conflicts and to optimize address utilization. This setup ensures mobile devices can connect seamlessly, receiving appropriate IPs and network policies.

Routing and Network Traffic Management

To avoid IP address conflicts among routers operating in the network extension, routing protocols like OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) or EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) should be implemented. These protocols allow dynamic route advertisement, simplify network management, and improve fault tolerance. For the static segments, route summaries can be configured for efficient routing between subnets and the main network.

The primary router in the main network handles outbound traffic to the Internet or external networks, while subordinate routers direct traffic within subnets. Proper routing configuration ensures that traffic from each classroom is directed through designated gateways, maintaining network efficiency and security.

Device Configuration and Performance Optimization

In terms of hardware, the instructor’s PC, which manages network resources, should be equipped with a high-quality NIC, such as the Rosewill Gigabit PCI Network Adapter, supporting 10/100/1000 Mbps speeds and VLAN management capabilities. Its higher transfer rate facilitates the sharing of large files and applications across subnets, especially important in a dynamic educational environment.

Storage capacity for instructor computers should meet the demands of storing educational resources, network software, and backups. A 1 Terabyte hard disk allows sufficient space for these purposes. Upgrading existing computers with Intel Core i5 processors ensures fast processing speeds, supporting multitasking and software virtualization required for network administration.

The switch infrastructure, notably the Cisco Catalyst 3500, plays a vital role in maintaining network performance. It can be configured as a DHCP server for each subnet, manage VLAN segmentation, and support Quality of Service (QoS) policies to prioritize critical traffic like administrative commands or VoIP calls.

Internet Access and Security Considerations

Connectivity to the external Internet should be via the main network router, which routes traffic to the extension through secure links. Firewall rules and VLAN configurations should be employed to isolate student traffic from administrative and sensitive data, enhancing security. WPA2 encryption, strong passwords, and regular firmware updates on access points and routers are critical for safeguarding the wireless network against unauthorized access.

Monitoring tools and intrusion detection systems (IDS) can be implemented for ongoing security management, ensuring the network remains resilient against cyber threats. Regular audits and user access controls ensure only authorized personnel and students utilize network resources appropriately.

Conclusion

Designing an effective network extension for a campus environment involves strategic hardware selection, clear segmentation, robust routing protocols, and security measures. Using wireless G access points linked via high-speed Ethernet cables to a centralized switch and routers, combined with logical subnetting, ensures performance and security. Upgrading device interfaces and storage capacity further supports smooth operation. This comprehensive approach facilitates seamless educational activities, resource sharing, and reliable Internet access across the extended campus network.

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