You Were Selected To Design A Small Peer-To-Peer Network

You Were Selected To Design A Small Peer To Peer Network For A New Fac

Design a small peer-to-peer network for a new facility comprising three offices, two conference rooms, a networked printer, and a receptionist computer. Each desk must have wired Ethernet connections for computers and wireless access for mobile devices. Create a diagram illustrating a star topology with a switch as the central node, including only networking equipment and end devices. Additionally, include a brief description explaining your design, assumptions about the office work and network demands, and how these influenced your planning. Specify the internet service provider connection, hardware devices (modem, router, switch), cable media types, and label all items appropriately. Optionally, discuss a security solution such as hardware or software firewalls. Save the diagram as an image and include it in your submission alongside the description. Work must be original and not sourced from the internet.

Paper For Above instruction

The network design for the new facility employs a star topology centered around a high-performance network switch, which serves as the core device connecting various end nodes and equipment. This structure ensures efficient communication, easy management, and scalability, all critical for a modern workplace environment. The star topology is ideal because it minimizes collision domains, thereby optimizing data transfer speeds and enhancing network reliability. The primary focus lies in establishing a robust wired infrastructure supplemented by wireless access points to cater to mobile device connectivity, enabling seamless communication within the offices, conference rooms, and shared resources.

At the heart of this design is a high-capacity modem provided by the chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP), which offers reliable broadband connectivity necessary for daily operations. The modem is connected to a security-enhanced router that manages network traffic, NAT functions, and provides a firewall for protection against external threats. From the router, a commercial-grade gigabit Ethernet switch is employed, facilitating connections to all wired devices, including desktop computers, the networked printer, and other peripherals. Wireless access points (such as those from Cisco or Ubiquiti) are strategically placed in offices and conference rooms to provide wireless coverage, supporting smartphones, tablets, and laptops, thereby ensuring mobility and flexibility in device usage.

The backbone of the wired network utilizes Category 6 (Cat6) Ethernet cables, which support high-speed data transfer of up to 10 Gbps over suitable distances. This choice strikes a balance between affordability and future-proofing, catering to the anticipated network demands without overinvesting. All equipment labels include brand and model specifications for clarity, such as Cisco Catalyst switches and Ubiquiti UniFi access points, but these are flexible based on availability and budget.

Assumptions made include a focus on general office productivity tasks, with moderate bandwidth needs typical of file sharing, email, web browsing, and occasional video conferencing. The network is designed to handle peak concurrent usage comfortably, ensuring minimal latency and downtime. Given the nature of operations, security is a priority; thus, a hardware firewall integrated into the router provides perimeter defense, complemented by security policies and possibly endpoint protection on individual devices. A secondary security layer might include software firewalls on critical servers or desktops if applicable.

The overall design facilitates a scalable, secure, and efficient network infrastructure that supports core office functions and mobility. The diagram visually depicts the central switch connecting to each wired desk, conference rooms, and networked printer, with wireless access points extending coverage. This layout allows straightforward expansion and simplifies troubleshooting, aligning with the organization's growth plans.

References

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