This Assignment Is Designed To Assess Students' Knowledge An

This Assignment Is Designed To Assess Students Knowledge And Skills R

This assignment is designed to assess students’ knowledge and skills related to the following learning outcomes: a. Investigate suitable network designs to match requirements. b. Create appropriate frameworks and standards for network implementation

Analyze the need for the network for the case study. Investigate and propose a suitable complete network design for the case study.

Write a detailed setup of network devices only for a LAN.

Write a detailed implementation report which includes configurations of each networking device included in the whole network.

Demonstrate and compare at least 2 configuration results which may include at least two switches/routers and two PCs on physical networking devices.

Paper For Above instruction

In the context of the rapidly expanding e-commerce organization described in the case study, establishing a robust and efficient Local Area Network (LAN) is vital to support its operational requirements and future growth. The organization is transitioning to a new facility detailed across three floors, each with specific connectivity needs, including multiple data points and wireless access. The following analysis and design outline the necessary network infrastructure, device configurations, and comparative assessments to ensure a resilient and scalable LAN environment suitable for an expanding e-commerce business.

Necessity of Network for the Organization

The core necessity for establishing a comprehensive LAN infrastructure stems from the organization’s expanded operational footprint and the requirement for seamless data sharing, communication, and resource accessibility across the new premises. The physical layout, with multiple floors and diverse functional areas such as reception, warehouse, offices, and meeting rooms, demands a dependable network that can facilitate high-speed data transfer, support multiple simultaneous users, and ensure secure connectivity.

Additionally, the shift towards digital operations necessitates integrating wired connections for critical devices while enabling wireless connectivity for mobile devices, guest access, and flexible work arrangements. Such a network infrastructure ensures operational efficiency, enhances collaboration among employees, optimizes data flow, and provides scalability to accommodate future technological upgrades and organizational growth.

Proposed Network Design

Overall Architecture

The network design comprises a hierarchical structure employing core, distribution, and access layers. The core layer consists of high-capacity switches interconnected via fiber optic links to ensure backbone resilience. Distribution layers connect the core to individual floors, segmented logically to reduce congestion, while access layers provide wired and wireless connectivity to end-user devices.

Floor-wise Network Topology

• Ground Floor: Installation of five data points in reception, four in warehouse, and two in foyer, connected via switches. The warehouse also requires a separate switch to manage inventory systems and wireless access points (APs).
• First Floor: Five offices and forty cubicles equipped with wired connections to switches via Ethernet cabling, complemented by wireless APs to support mobile devices.
• Second Floor: Three rooms with four cubicles each and additional offices, plus a meeting room needing four data points, all via switches, with wireless coverage provided through APs. The thirty open-plan cubicles also connect via switch ports and wireless.

Wireless Integration

Wireless access points are strategically deployed on each floor to ensure comprehensive coverage, enabling mobile and guest connectivity. Separate SSIDs can be configured for employees and guests, with appropriate security measures such as WPA3 encryption and VLAN segmentation to isolate guest traffic.

Main Network Devices

• Core Switches: High-performance switches with Layer 3 capabilities for routing between VLANs and managing inter-floor traffic.
• Distribution Switches: Managed switches aggregating data from access layer devices, supporting Power over Ethernet (PoE) for APs and IP phones.
• Access Switches: Connect end devices directly, mounted in proximity to desks or in server rooms.
• Wireless Access Points: Dual-band APs supporting Wi-Fi 5/6 standards, interconnected via PoE switches.
• Router: Enterprise-grade router handling external WAN connections, VPN, and security services.

Device Configuration Details

Configuring each network device involves setting appropriate VLANs for segregating traffic (e.g., staff, guest, management), implementing routing protocols for inter-VLAN communication, enabling PoE for wireless access points, and configuring security features such as ACLs and port security.

For example, switches are configured to assign specific ports to different VLANs based on their physical location and purpose. The router is configured with NAT, DHCP, and ACLs to control outbound and inbound traffic.

Comparison of Two Device Configuration Results

Comparing configurations of two switches — for instance, a core switch and an access switch — illustrates how VLANs and trunk ports are managed to ensure flexibility and segmentation. The core switch often has advanced routing capabilities and multiple VLAN trunks configured, whereas the access switch might be simpler, with static VLAN assignments and port security enabled.

Similarly, two PCs connected to different switches can demonstrate differences in IP addressing, gateway configuration, and security settings, with ping tests and throughput analyses showing network performance variations.

This comparative approach ensures the network design’s effectiveness, robustness, and security, translating theoretical design into practical, operational infrastructure.

Conclusion

Developing a detailed LAN network plan and systematic configuration strategy is essential for supporting the operational needs of the expanding organization. By integrating wired and wireless solutions, segmenting traffic through VLANs, and deploying scalable device configurations, the organization can achieve a resilient and flexible network infrastructure. Proper implementation and testing of configuration results further optimize performance, security, and manageability, laying a strong foundation for future growth and technological advancement.

References

• Cisco Systems. (2020). Cisco Catalyst Configuration Guide. Cisco Press.
• Odom, W. (2019). CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide. Cisco Press.
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• Stallings, W. (2018). Data and Computer Communications. Pearson.
• Hucaby, D. (2014). CCNP Routing and Switching Portable Command Guide. Cisco Press.
• Sharma, A., & Singh, P. (2021). Wireless Network Security: Implementation and Challenges. Journal of Network and Systems Management, 29(3), 543-560.
• Marques, P., & Bartolome, S. (2018). Implementation of VLANs in Enterprise Networks. International Journal of Computer Networks & Communications, 10(3), 45-56.
• IEEE 802.11 Standards. (2020). Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specification. IEEE.
• Juniper Networks. (2021). Design and Implementation of Enterprise Networks. Juniper Technical Documentation.