You Have Been Hired As Part Of The Networking Team At 519448

Ou Have Been Hired As Part Of The Networking Team At Umuc After Compl

Ou have been hired as part of the networking team at UMUC. After completing orientation and training, your manager calls you into a meeting to discuss your first project. 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 important for UMUC, as the university must protect students’ and employees’ data, as well as any intellectual property that UMUC has on its servers and computers.

As a result, IT management would like to take the time to review proposals on how best to move forward on security issues. As a junior network engineer, you have been asked to prepare a network proposal on how to set up a secure network infrastructure in the first building to support university operations. The network proposal will require three submissions covering network design, network addressing and security, and network customization and optimization. After speaking to your manager, you are excited about the project, but you realize you will have a busy schedule. As you are writing your proposal, you will also have to prepare for the CompTIA Network+ Certification exam.

One of the conditions of your employment at this university is that you obtain this certification within 60 days of being hired. The network proposal represents a great opportunity to document your expertise. Additionally, it is also a great opportunity for you to form an integrated view of the different aspects of networking which are tested in the certification exam. In this learning demonstration, you will use the TestOut Network Pro (LabSim) to learn about the topics required to achieve success for each submission (network design, network addressing and security, and network customization and optimization). Furthermore, these activities will prepare you for the CompTIA Network+ Certification exam.

In order to identify your strengths and weaknesses, you will first complete the CompTIA Network+ Certification Practice exam. Review LEO - Content for how to access the CompTIA Network+ Certification Practice exam. Then, during the next eight weeks, as you step through each set of activities in LabSim, you will also be drafting sections of your network design proposal. Use the results of the Network+ certification practice exam you took at the beginning of the class to help guide you on which areas within LabSim you should pay closer attention. You must complete all online labs in LabSim; these are the activities with the computer mouse icon. The Network Design Proposal will be submitted in three submissions: network design, network addressing and security, and network customization and optimization.

Paper For Above instruction

The task at hand involves designing a secure and efficient network infrastructure for UMUC’s newly leased building in Adelphi, Maryland. This comprehensive project emphasizes three critical areas: network design, addressing and security protocols, and customization and optimization strategies, all aiming to meet the university’s operational and security needs while preparing for the CompTIA Network+ Certification.

Network Design Strategy

The foundation of a secure university network begins with a robust design that accommodates the diverse requirements of faculty, students, administrative staff, and IT personnel. A hierarchical structured network design, comprising core, distribution, and access layers, ensures scalability, reliability, and ease of management. The core layer should utilize high-speed switches to facilitate rapid data transfer across the campus, while the distribution layer manages policy enforcement, VLAN segmentation, and routing. The access layer includes switches connecting end devices—computers, printers, Wi-Fi access points, and security devices—organized into VLANs to logically separate different user groups and enhance security (Tanenbaum & Wetherall, 2011).

Network Addressing and Security Considerations

A well-planned addressing scheme underpins network security and management. Using private IP address ranges (e.g., 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16), subnetted appropriately for different departments and services, allows for logical segmentation. Implementing DHCP with reservation and scope options ensures efficient IP management, while static IP assignments for critical devices enhance security (Odom, 2019). To protect the network, multiple security measures should be employed: VLAN segmentation to isolate sensitive data; Access Control Lists (ACLs) on routers and switches to restrict unauthorized access; and secure Wi-Fi networks utilizing WPA3 encryption and enterprise authentication via RADIUS servers. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), deploying firewalls, and ensuring secure VPN access for remote connections bolster the university’s defenses (Scarfone & Mell, 2007).

Network Customization and Optimization

To optimize network performance, Quality of Service (QoS) policies should prioritize latency-sensitive applications, such as VoIP and online learning platforms. Regular network monitoring using SNMP-based tools allows early detection of issues and capacity planning. Implementing load balancing techniques across multiple servers and switches ensures high availability, while network segmentation minimizes broadcast domains, reducing congestion (Kurose & Ross, 2017). Additionally, network virtualization technologies such as Virtual LANs (VLANs) and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) streamline management and enhance security. Continual configuration review and firmware updates are essential for maintaining security standards and optimal network performance (Liu & Peng, 2018).

Preparation for Certification and Implementation

Throughout this project, leveraging LabSim’s online activities provides practical experience in configuring network devices, implementing security policies, and troubleshooting common issues. These hands-on skills are vital not only for completing the project efficiently but also for passing the Network+ exam. With a strategic approach—focusing on security best practices, effective addressing schemes, and performance tuning—the designed network will meet UMUC’s needs. The final implementation should include detailed documentation and guidelines to ensure long-term maintainability and security compliance.

Conclusion

Designing a secure network infrastructure for UMUC requires a layered approach involving strategic network architecture, effective addressing schemes, and robust security measures. By integrating these elements with continuous monitoring and performance optimization, the university can ensure a resilient, scalable, and secure environment conducive to academic excellence and data protection. Simultaneously, this project offers a valuable learning experience aligned with the objectives of the CompTIA Network+ certification, equipping future network professionals with essential skills.

References

• Tanenbaum, A. S., & Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks (5th ed.). Pearson.
• Odom, W. (2019). CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library. Cisco Press.
• Scarfone, K., & Mell, P. (2007). Guide to Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS). NIST.
• Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. (2017). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th Ed.). Pearson.
• Liu, X., & Peng, Z. (2018). Software-Defined Networking and Security: An Overview. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 20(3), 2440–2460.