Unit 6 Assignment: Draft Final Project Part III: Securing and Maintaining the Network

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Network Design Proposal

Alejandro Vivero

Post University

337CIS

10 Apr 2022

Network Design Proposal

Recommendations for Reducing Network Errors

Network errors can prevent an individual from connecting to the internet properly. They can cause frustration among the users. However, it is possible to reduce most of the network errors. First off, a Domain Name System (DNS) can have errors when its records are not configured correctly. DNS servers are crucial to using the internet since they allow the browser to load a page. However, network errors can occur when DNS fails to enter the correct IP addresses of the records (Rees, 2021). Hence, the problem can be solved by temporarily disabling the antivirus and firewall software. This does not put the network devices to risk since the disabling is done for a short period. If the fix works, the software is the issue, and the customer needs to consider using different software. Similarly, the user can also consider updating their existing browser or switching it. Lastly, restarting the router and reconnecting also work sometimes.

Another standard network error is the conflict of IP address. Two devices on the same network can often share the same IP address. IP addresses are supposed to be unique. Therefore, when they are not unique can cause network issues and frustrations. One way to prevent this is by switching to an automatic or dynamic IP. This fix works since it changes the IP addresses and makes them unique. Removing the static IP addresses is essential since they are entered manually.

Similarly, when the router is connected to several devices to the internet, it puts the network at the risk of high bandwidth usage issues. Therefore, the network error is characterized by one or more devices using a significant amount of bandwidth. It can be prevented by keeping the software of the router updated. It can be done by downloading the required firmware update from the website of the router’s manufacturing.

Plans for Remote Access

Remote access means allowing individuals to access the organization’s communication technologies and its application even when they are not directly connected to its network. For example, remote access allows the workers to log in to the customer database from home. The critical plan to enable remote access is by offering the workers access to the systems to accomplish their roles effectively (Remote access to your network, n.d.). Hence, the first step is to ensure security is in place. The employees will be responsible for setting up passwords to access the system remotely. Therefore, the staff can be guided appropriately to create hard to crack passwords. In particular, the employees need to be made aware of their role in keeping things safe to avoid exploitation by malicious attackers.

An organization with a server can provide remote access through a virtual private network (VPN). It is crucial since it protects the network and the employee’s devices across the internet by establishing a secure link. Consequently, a VPN encrypts the messages sent between the network systems such that no one can intercept them. Hence, the staff can access the organization’s resources as though they were in the office. The organization also needs to take security precautions since VPN allows broad access to the company systems. Lastly, adopting cloud computing services will enable employees to access their files and software remotely. Alternatively, remote desktop connection software can be used instead of cloud computing. The staff can remotely log in to the main computer and access their files and software. It provides the employees with a familiar interface to access the computer system.

Visual Network Diagram

LAN cabling is 100BaseT CAT5

Figure 1: Visual Network Diagram (Sample Network Design Proposal, n.d.)

References

Rees, K. (2021, December 3). 5 common network errors & how to fix them. MUO. https://www.makeuseof.com/common-network-errors-how-to-fix/

Remote access to your network. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2022, from https://www.techdonut.co.uk/communications/networks/remote-access-to-your-network

Sample Network Design Proposal. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2022, from https://people.uwec.edu/hiltonts/101/CBAsample/projectsample.htm