The University Has Recently Leased Two Buildings In Adelphi

The university has recently leased two buildings in adelphi maryland

The university has recently leased two buildings in Adelphi, Maryland. The buildings will house faculty and administrative offices, classrooms, a library, and computer labs. Security is crucial for UMUC to protect students’ and employees’ data, as well as intellectual property stored on its servers and computers. As a junior network engineer, you are tasked with developing a network proposal to establish a secure network infrastructure in the first building to support university operations. The project involves three key submissions: network design, network addressing and security, and network customization and optimization.

This assignment offers an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your technical expertise while preparing for the CompTIA Network+ Certification exam. You will utilize the TestOut Network Pro (LabSim) platform to learn relevant topics, complete practice exams, and develop your network design proposal. This integrated approach will help you identify strengths and areas needing improvement and ensure you are well-prepared for the certification exam, which is a mandatory requirement within 60 days of employment at UMUC. Over the next eight weeks, you will systematically work through each segment of the LabSim activities while drafting corresponding sections of your network infrastructure proposal.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In the evolving landscape of educational institutions, ensuring robust network security is paramount, especially when new facilities such as the two buildings in Adelphi, Maryland, are leased to support university operations. The complexity of managing sensitive data, proprietary research, and academic resources necessitates a comprehensive and secure network infrastructure. As a junior network engineer, my primary responsibility is to design, implement, and optimize a resilient network that balances security, efficiency, and scalability. This paper outlines my strategic approach to achieving this goal, focusing on network design principles, addressing and security measures, and customization techniques that will best serve UMUC’s needs.

Network Design Principles

The foundation of a secure and efficient network begins with meticulous planning rooted in best practices. The first step involves understanding the physical and logical topology required for the university’s operational needs. I would recommend implementing a hierarchical network model comprising core, distribution, and access layers to facilitate scalability and ease of management (Odom, 2019). The core layer would serve as the backbone, ensuring fast data transfer and redundancy, while the distribution layer would handle policy enforcement and traffic segmentation. The access layer would connect end-user devices like faculty computers, student terminals, and IoT devices, employing appropriate switches and access points.

Additional considerations include the deployment of VLANs to segment traffic logically, thus isolating sensitive data and supporting different user groups (Cisco, 2020). Wireless networks should employ the latest security protocols such as WPA3 to safeguard wireless communications. The integration of redundancy through redundant switches, links, and power supplies will enhance network availability. Proper placement of firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) will further reinforce network security, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or cyberattacks (Kizza, 2017).

Network Addressing and Security

Effective IP addressing is critical for managing network traffic and security. I would utilize IPv4 addressing initially, complemented by IPv6 deployment as part of future scalability plans. A structured addressing scheme that includes private IP ranges, subnetting, and well-planned DHCP scopes will ensure efficient IP management. For instance, using distinct subnets for administrative offices, academic labs, and public Wi-Fi will facilitate traffic control and security policies (Sequeira et al., 2017).

Security measures must prioritize data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Implementing strict access controls, including AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting), will verify user identities and restrict access based on roles (Rouse, 2020). VPNs should be established for remote access, employing SSL or IPSec protocols to encrypt data transmission, ensuring secure remote connectivity for faculty and staff.

Network Firewalls and Segmentation

Firewalls are essential for monitoring and controlling network traffic at perimeters and within internal segments. Deploying Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) will provide deep packet inspection and application-level filtering (Gavaldón, 2019). Additionally, VLAN segmentation and private VLANs (PVLANs) can isolate sensitive areas such as research labs or administrative databases from general access networks, reducing the risk of lateral movement by malicious actors.

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) will complement firewalls by offering real-time threat detection and response capabilities. Regular updates and security patches must be maintained across all network devices to combat emerging threats. Furthermore, implementing network access controls using 802.1X port security will verify device identities before granting network access, preventing unauthorized devices from connecting.

Network Customization and Optimization

To ensure long-term efficiency, my approach includes ongoing network customization and optimization. Employing Quality of Service (QoS) policies will prioritize critical applications such as academic research and administrative services, ensuring they receive sufficient bandwidth even during peak usage (Zhou et al., 2019). Network monitoring tools like SNMP, NetFlow, and Syslog will enable proactive diagnostics and performance tuning, minimizing downtime and improving user experience.

Performance optimization can also involve switching to higher capacity hardware, implementing load balancing in key network paths, and utilizing cloud-based security solutions to enhance scalability. Regular audits and penetration testing will identify vulnerabilities, allowing timely remediation. Additionally, configuring automated backup solutions and disaster recovery plans will safeguard data and ensure business continuity.

Conclusion

Designing a secure network infrastructure for UMUC’s new facilities requires a comprehensive approach that integrates sound architectural principles, robust security protocols, and ongoing optimization. By employing layered security measures, effective addressing strategies, and adaptive network management techniques, I aim to create a resilient environment that supports the university’s mission while safeguarding critical assets. This project not only helps in effectively securing the network but also prepares me for the CompTIA Network+ Certification exam, reinforcing my capability as a network professional committed to excellence and security in educational IT environments.

References

  • Cisco. (2020). VLAN Best Practices. Cisco Documentation.
  • Gavaldón, M. (2019). Next-Generation Firewalls and Network Security. Journal of Cybersecurity.
  • Kizza, J. M. (2017). Guide to Computer Security. Springer.
  • Odom, W. (2019). CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide. Cisco Press.
  • Rouse, M. (2020). AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting). TechTarget.
  • Sequeira, J., Santos, R., & Almeida, P. (2017). IP Address Management Strategies. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials.
  • Zhou, Y., et al. (2019). QoS Policy Implementation for Educational Networks. IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management.

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