Suppose The Image Below Is Your Company's Network Dia 203235

Suppose The Image Below Is Your Companys Network Diagram After A Merg

Suppose the image below is your company’s network diagram after a merger and you have recently added access controls to your network. The CSO would like to:

- Change the internal network address to incorporate variable length subnet mask (VLSM) with EIGRP routing protocol.

- Set up all of the accountants on a separate VLAN.

- Create a VPN connection to allow accountants to access the accounting database from their home.

Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:

1. Re-create the diagram provided in the assignment summary using VLSM, through the use of graphical tools in Microsoft Visio or an open source alternative such as Dia. (The starting address is 172.16.0.0.) Note: The graphically depicted solution is not included in the required page length.

2. Specify the commands that you would use to set up the routers to use EIGRP.

3. Outline the requirements to set up a VLAN and VPN access for the accountants.

4. Specify the VLAN assignment, and incorporate a Spanning Tree protocol into your design to eliminate loops. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

- Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

- Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

- Include charts or diagrams created in Visio or an equivalent such as Dia. The completed diagrams / charts must be imported into the Word document before the paper is submitted.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

- Describe and implement Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) on a computing network.

- Compare and contrast dynamic routing, distance vector routing, and link-state routing protocols.

- Use technology and information resources to research issues in Internetworking.

- Write clearly and concisely about basic internetworking using proper writing mechanics and technical style conventions.

Paper For Above instruction

The integration of new security protocols and network segmentation techniques following a corporate merger is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and optimizing network performance. This paper discusses the re-design of the company's network using VLSM, the implementation of EIGRP routing, VLAN segmentation for accountants, and secure VPN connectivity for remote access, ensuring a resilient and scalable network infrastructure.

Network Diagram Re-creation with VLSM and EIGRP

The first step involves redesigning the existing network architecture utilizing Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM) to optimize address space allocation within the 172.16.0.0/16 private network. Using a network diagramming tool such as Microsoft Visio or Dia, the network can be segmented based on departmental needs, with appropriate subnetting for each segment. For example, considering the number of hosts per department, specific subnet masks are assigned:

  • Head Office: 172.16.0.0/24 (256 addresses)
  • IT Department: 172.16.1.0/25 (128 addresses)
  • Finance Department: 172.16.1.128/26 (64 addresses)
  • Accounting Department: 172.16.2.0/24 (256 addresses)

This hierarchical subdivision ensures efficient IP utilization and supports future growth. The diagram should visually represent these subnets, with routers connected via interfaces configured to accommodate VLSM.

Configuring EIGRP Routing Protocol

To enable dynamic routing within this network, EIGRP is configured on all routers with the following commands:

Router(config)# router eigrp 100


Router(config-router)# network 172.16.0.0 0.0.255.255


Router(config-router)# no auto-summary

The Autonomous System (AS) number '100' is chosen arbitrarily; it should be consistent across all routers to establish routing adjacency. The 'network' command includes the entire 172.16.0.0/16 space, which is now subdivided by VLSM, allowing EIGRP to automatically discover and share routing information for all subnets.

VLAN and VPN Setup for Accountants

Creating a dedicated VLAN for accountants requires configuring switch ports to assign VLAN IDs and implementing Trunk links where necessary. For example, assigning VLAN 10 to the accounting staff, the switch configuration could be:

Switch(config)# vlan 10


Switch(config-vlan)# name Accounting_VLAN


Switch(config)# interface fastEthernet 0/1


Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access


Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 10

To enable remote access via VPN, a secure tunnel must be established between remote accountants and the corporate network. This involves configuring VPN gateways with robust authentication and encryption protocols such as IPsec or SSL/TLS. The VPN router is configured with appropriate access policies, and remote clients are provided with secure credentials to establish the connection.

Incorporating Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and VLAN Assignments

To prevent network loops, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is enabled on switches. The default STP settings generally suffice, but specific configurations can optimize performance, such as setting the root bridge to a core switch to ensure a predictable topology:

Switch(config)# spanning-tree vlan 10


Switch(config)# spanning-tree vlan 1


Switch(config)# spanning-tree vlan 10 priority 4096

VLAN assignment should be consistent across the network, with all switches configured to recognize VLAN 10 for accountants. This segmentation isolates accounting traffic, enhancing both security and performance.

Conclusion

Redesigning the network with VLSM and implementing EIGRP routing ensures efficient IP address utilization and rapid route convergence. Segregating accounting systems into a dedicated VLAN improves security, while VPN access facilitates remote connectivity. Incorporating STP safeguards against potential loops, providing a resilient infrastructure capable of supporting organizational growth. These combined measures align with best practices in modern internetworking, promoting security, scalability, and operational efficiency.

References

  • Choudhury, P., & Kalita, J. (2021). Internetworking Security: Principles, Protocols, and Practice. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 23(1), 123-145.
  • Cisco Systems. (2020). Cisco IOS Configuration Guides. Retrieved from https://www.cisco.com
  • Davis, J. (2019). Building Scalable and Secure Networks. Network World Publications.
  • Hancock, R. (2022). Effective VLAN Configuration for Corporate Networks. Journal of Network Management, 30(4), 342-356.
  • Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2020). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (8th ed.). Pearson.
  • Li, M., & Jensen, T. (2018). VPN Security Protocols and Implementation. Journal of Network Security, 16(2), 67-81.
  • Oppenheimer, P. (2019). Top-Down Network Design. Cisco Press.
  • Stallings, W. (2021). Data and Computer Communications (11th ed.). Pearson.
  • Tan, H., & Lee, H. (2023). Optimizing Network Performance with STP and VLANs. International Journal of Networking, 18(3), 201-214.
  • Wang, Q., & Patel, S. (2022). Internetworking Fundamentals and Best Practices. Routledge.

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