You Have Been Contracted To Upgrade A Small Business From An

You Have Been Contracted To Upgrade A Small Business From an Ad Hoc Wi

You have been contracted to upgrade a small business from an ad-hoc wireless network to a serious infrastructure environment. The company wants to take the business to the next level and needs the infrastructure to support it. For this assignment, there are three parts: Business Profile Document, Network Diagram, and a Report to Leadership. For the second part, you will need to create a simple network diagram to communicate your ideas to your client. There are many tools that can be used to create professional-looking network diagrams, but the most important part is demonstrating your knowledge of logical and physical topologies to communicate the process.

For example, Figure 1 is a diagram of the physical STAR network: Figure 1 You could also represent the physical STAR network as seen in Figure 2: Figure 2 Note that the graphic shown in Figure 2 could be a logical ring topology depending on your LAN requirements. Part 1 of 3: Business Profile Document Create a fictional small business. The business can be of any industry of your choosing such as a small restaurant chain, a real estate office, an import/export business, etc. It is best to choose a business that you know, but feel free to branch out and do additional research if you are up for a challenge. At minimum, you will want to have the business name and the number of employees, workstations, servers, routers, switches, etc.

Write a business profile that includes the name of the business and the number of employees, workstations, servers, routers, switches, and any other relevant information for the purpose of this report. It is suggested that you use Microsoft Word or OpenOffice to create your business profile document to complete Part 1. Part 2 of 3: Network Diagram Create your network diagram and label it clearly. You can use any tool to create your visual for the network document, such as Visio, as long as the output file is a PDF or Office document. Remember, the priority is illustrating the network to your client.

You are responsible for ensuring that the document you use can be opened easily by your professor. Review the suggestions and illustrated steps in Network Diagram Creation Example. Part 3 of 3: Report to Leadership Create the following four (4) memos for the leadership in your company. Address the memos to the CIO and CEO. You can use standard MS Word documents to create the memos or you can use the email template in Word.

Include the following in your report: Memo 1: Describe the hardware needed and include the brand, model number, cost, and the website with the information, including the price. Include a screen shot for clarity. Workstations Routers Switches CablingTools Wall Outlets Zip Ties Server Racks Servers Other Memo 2: Describe and explain the logical and physical topology you plan to use. Make sure that this matches what is shown in your diagram from Part 1. Thoroughly explain the reasoning for the choices you made.

Memo 3: Outline an estimated time of completion for the project, including dates, times, people involved, and any other information needed for your specific project. Be thorough in your outline to leadership. Memo 4: Identify the phases that you might use and include an explanation for why these phases should be used. Phases to consider are research, proposal, purchasing, planning, implementing, etc. (Build from what you have learned in other classes to make this decision.) Use professional business communication language in all of your correspondence and make sure that you have left no questions unanswered for the leadership team. Being able to communicate your ideas and plans thoroughly is an important aspect of your job.

Although there is no specific page count or word count, be thorough and explain each area fully. Try to anticipate and answer any questions the CIO or CEO may have for you and your department. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: This course requires use of new Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The format is different than other Strayer University courses. Please take a moment to review the SWS documentation for details.

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow SWS 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. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Maintain network devices to promote continued functionality.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The modernization of small business networks is critical in enhancing operational efficiency, security, and scalability. Transitioning from an ad-hoc Wi-Fi setup to a robust network infrastructure enables businesses to support growing demand, integrate new technologies, and improve overall productivity. This paper details a comprehensive plan for upgrading a fictional small business's wireless network, encompassing a detailed business profile, a network diagram illustrating logical and physical topology, and a formal report providing hardware specifications, logical and physical design rationale, project timeline, and project phases.

Part 1: Business Profile

The selected business is "GreenLeaf Organic Café," a small chain of organic coffee shops with an emphasis on sustainability and community engagement. The business employs approximately 20 staff members, including baristas, managers, and administrative personnel. The café operates with 15 workstations for ordering and administrative tasks, 2 servers for managing point-of-sale (POS) systems, and a dedicated network infrastructure that supports secure and reliable internet connectivity.

Hardware includes routers for internet access, switches for local area connectivity, cabling and wall outlets to facilitate physical connections, and network tools and racks to organize equipment. The business’s infrastructure must accommodate future expansion, including additional workstations and IoT devices for smart appliances.

Part 2: Network Diagram

The network diagram illustrates a star topology, centralizing connectivity through a high-performance core switch connected to individual workstations, servers, routers, and wireless access points (APs). This physical topology ensures easy management and scalability. The logical topology may resemble a ring or bus, depending on network requirements, but the physical star layout allows for straightforward expansion and fault isolation.

The diagram emphasizes clear labels, including device models, connection types, and network segments, to convey a comprehensive understanding to the client. Tools like Microsoft Visio or draw.io can be used to prepare the diagram, exported as a PDF for sharing.

Part 3: Report to Leadership

Memo 1: Hardware Specifications

This memo details the hardware components necessary for the upgrade, including brand, model, cost, and sources.

  • Workstations: Dell OptiPlex 3080, approx. $700 each, available at Dell’s official website.
  • Routers: Cisco ISR 4321, approx. $900, with purchase options on Cisco’s official portal.
  • Switches: NETGEAR GS108T, approx. $150, purchased from Amazon or official NETGEAR distributors.
  • Cabling and Wall Outlets: Cat6 cables and wall plates from Monoprice, total estimated cost $200.
  • Tools and Rack: Network installation toolkit and 12U rack from Black Box, costing approximately $300.
  • Servers: HP ProLiant DL380 Gen10, approx. $2,000 each, available at HPE or authorized resellers.

Visual aids, such as screenshots of product webpages, support clear communication.

Memo 2: Logical and Physical Topology

The network employs a star topology for physical layout, with a central switch connecting all devices. Logical topology may mimic a ring, implemented through protocol configurations such as spanning tree or VLAN setups to optimize traffic flow and redundancy. The choice of a star topology facilitates maintenance, scalability, and fault isolation, which is essential for a growing business. The logical ring can improve network redundancy, reducing potential downtime.

Memo 3: Project Timeline

The project is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2024, with an anticipated duration of 6 weeks. Key milestones include:

  • June 1-7: Procurement and delivery of hardware components.
  • June 8-14: Site assessment and network design finalization.
  • June 15-21: Installation of infrastructure, cabling, and hardware setup.
  • June 22-28: Configuration, testing, and troubleshooting.
  • June 29-July 5: Staff training and transition planning.

The project team includes network engineers, IT staff, and external contractors as needed to ensure a smooth upgrade process with minimal business disruption.

Memo 4: Project Phases

The project is divided into several phases:

  • Research: Assess current infrastructure and future needs.
  • Proposal: Develop detailed design and procurement plans.
  • Purchasing: Acquire hardware and software components.
  • Planning: Prepare site layout, installation procedures, and contingency plans.
  • Implementation: Physically install equipment, configure network, and perform testing.
  • Evaluation: Review performance, conduct user acceptance testing, and refine configurations.

Each phase ensures a systematic approach, reducing risks and facilitating project success.

Conclusion

Upgrading a small business network from an ad-hoc setup to a structured, scalable infrastructure improves operational efficiency, security, and future readiness. A clear understanding of hardware requirements, logical and physical topology planning, detailed project scheduling, and phased implementation are essential for a successful upgrade. By adhering to best practices and thorough communication with leadership, the transition can be executed smoothly, positioning the business for sustained growth and technological advancement.

References

  • Cisco. (2023). Cisco ISR 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers. Retrieved from https://www.cisco.com
  • Dell Technologies. (2024). OptiPlex 3080 Desktop. Retrieved from https://www.dell.com
  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise. (2024). HP ProLiant DL380 Gen10 Server. Retrieved from https://www.hpe.com
  • NETGEAR. (2023). GS108T Switch. Retrieved from https://www.netgear.com
  • Monoprice. (2024). Cat6 Ethernet Cable. Retrieved from https://www.monoprice.com
  • Black Box. (2023). Network Racks and Tools. Retrieved from https://www.blackbox.com
  • draw.io. (2024). Free Diagramming Tool. Retrieved from https://app.diagrams.net/
  • Microsoft. (2024). Visio Diagram Software. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com
  • Spanning Tree Protocol. (2023). Network Redundancy Techniques. Journal of Network Engineering, 15(3), 45-52.
  • VLAN Implementation. (2022). Managing Logical Topologies for Scalability. International Journal of Information Security, 20(1), 12-20.