IFSM - Network Diagram

Proposed solution:

The best and effective solution is to install the tree topology. The other network types of star, bus, mesh etc, all have drawbacks and have many nuisances that become apparent as more time goes on with the network. The tree topology is best used for WAN networks, so essentially a whole building or large warehouses can function with it. LAN is also used, but only if the workstations are cluttered quite close together. This solution offers many extensions of the previously mentioned topologies, especially bus and star topologies. You can easily manage and maintain this type of topology. You can pick out errors quite easily in this type of network. There are a few drawbacks however, as this network is quite heavily cabled and costly. This applies to all topologies but especially for this one in particular, because if the central hub fails, the whole network will be down and susceptible to outside influence. The network definitely has severe drawbacks when it comes to cost effectiveness, but considering the benefits it gives, surely they’re all worth it for the extra payment.

Figure 1: Tree topology

The business requirements for the network:

When looking from a business perspective of networks, there are a lot of things you should consider before implementing the network. Many of the implementation factors will determine the usability and the growth of the network, once the business starts running in coherence to it. The following are the business perspective that need to be considered:

1. Design of the network:

The design is the first and most important step because, this is where the foundation is set for the following steps. Deciding the design of the network and optimizing it so that the cost can stay to a minimum is the goal of this step.

The design of the star topology comes in a hierarchal order. There is a root node that is connected to branching nodes. There are at least three levels to the nodes. The root nodes help regulate the communication between the various workstations, and if one of the node goes down, only a handful of workstations are lost, while the rest of the network keeps going smoothly. Same can’t be said for the central hub as if it goes down, the whole network will become useless.

The Design of the network is paramount because through it, all other decisions will come next. The design of the network is important because it’s basically the type of topologies, and the resulting factors such as environmental ques, performance constraints, network loads, networking variables and the subsequent cost that will result due to all of these variables. So cabling and setting up nodes to different locations will have to take precedence when setting up the whole network.

2. Implementation:

Checking the feasibility of the design is also important because any error or miscalculation could cause a wreckage of the flow of the company and may leave it vulnerable to various outside attacks. Setting up servers, core switches, access layer switches, and other various components of the network. Pre-configuring the test before the implementation will see the feasibility of the network, so that further down the line, the amount of detriments stay to a minimum. The implementation of the whole tree technology will be dependent on the location and size of the area.

3. Optimization:

No matter where you look at it from, there is always room for improvement. The network will have to have a setting that won’t become absolute anytime soon. Whether it is the needed speed of the network, the number of switches, better servers or the top in line packet flow assignments within the network, optimizing the network within the budget is always a good idea. There are various algorithmic optimization patterns that can be applied to the tree topologies.

4. Security:

The security of the network is paramount as it saves the company’s valuable information from getting into the wrong hands. There are various ways to secure the network, by introducing two factor identification, firewalls, VPNS, encryption protocols, and so on. All these contribute to the overall security, which is paramount for any functioning company. The security of the central hub is of the utmost importance because if it fails, everything else crumbles and because it has direct access to all the other nodes. Security is an important matter when it comes to topologies that have access to nodes in the network

5. Cost:

The cost is the real concern for any owner of a business, and concerning the network, its no different. Technical items such as hubs, routers and switches are pretty low. Cabling, labor and the software that goes with it, is also negotiable and can lead to exciting discounts in the overall price of setting up the network.

Cabling for local area network:

Local area network is network that runs in a limited area, and its job is to link up multiple devices that exchange information with each other. These connections can be wired or wireless, depending on the environment and the requirements of the area. Examples of LAN systems are Token Ring, Ethernet and Wireless LAN utilizing IEEE 802.11. Different components such as computer workstations, hubs, LAN switches, bridges, routers, cable and much more components are used.

These components are important because they make up the whole LAN network. Workstations are useful for doing your everyday tasks, and is assigned to multiple employees to function for various tasks. Hubs, switches, bridges and routers are all devices that help attach to other computer workstations in the area. The cables are used to transport all the various information that is communicated between the computer workstations.

WAN systems:

As described before, Tree topology is perfect for WAN systems as they can be widespread throughout a large area and won’t need proper cabling for it too. Because of its nature to complement mesh and star topologies, it becomes perfect in adjusting and rearranging different network components on a whim, because of its different mismatching options.

For the WAN network, WAN switches, Access servers, modems, routers, multiplexers will be used. These will be beneficial for the long range connection capability of the network. Just like in large universities, where a bundle of workstations are connected to a node, that node will further be connected to a central hub, where all decisions and monitoring goes on. The WAN network is much more cost effective and robust than the LAN networking of the tree topology. It also saves a lot of monetary expense when it comes to cabling and other connecting hardwares.

Cost issues:

The tree topology is the most expensive networking topology because of its heavy cabling and maintenance. The various nodes, cables to join them and maintenance can really rack up the bills when this network is implemented. The reason this topology was suggested, although it might be expensive, it has many benefits that counteract it. Many of the expenses in changing and managing the various nodes becomes much easier, without affecting the system too much. With various nodes, and cables just connected in one sector, dismantling it and rearranging it is much easier than all other topologies. Other topologies are hard to handle, maintain and look after and if an error occur, the network suffers in a drastic way while tree topologies don’t. The error detection is much faster and easier, and saves a lot of time and money, without having to go too deep into the malfunction.

With all of these factors listed, implementing the tree topology will be cost beneficial in the long run, and the money saved from error detection and network rearrangements can be used elsewhere.

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