IT 230 Remote Access Solutions

Running Head: LAN TOPOLOGY DESIGN AND CABLING SPECIFICATIONS

Appendix B: Network Design Project Template

LAN Topology Design and Cabling Specifications

Theresa A. Nordling

IT 230 Computer Networking

Jay Latona

September 14th, 2008

Executive Summary

{complete during Week Nine}

Write 3-4 paragraphs describing the goals of the network design project, assumptions, pros and cons of the proposed solutions, and project constraints.

Cabling Specifications

{complete during Week Two}

Local Area Network (LAN) Topologies

{complete during Week Two}

Wide Area Network (WAN) Design

{complete during Week Four}

Network Protocols

{complete during Week Six}

Network Remote Access

{complete during Week Six}

Network Business Applications

{complete during Week Six}

Backup and Disaster Recovery

{complete during Week Eight}

Network Security

{complete during Week Eight}

The fictitious company chosen will be a small organization that specializes in merchant services. The fictitious company will deal with check verification, online payments, debit cards, and credit cards. In order for this fictitious company to accomplish these services, the company has established partnerships with major banks and financial institutions, The gained partnerships with the major banks and financial institutions allows access to the partner’s databases. The databases contain listings of people who are known to write bad checks and have abused the banks and other financial institutions online payment services. The company’s ability to access its partner’s databases is imperative to its success; ability in assisting merchants with payment processing at the point of sales. The specialized check verification process will prevent anywhere from 50 to 75% of returned checks, thus reducing fraud and returned checks before they happen. In addition to their check verification services, its online verification software has refined controls to inhibit people from stealing other client’s identities.

The small organization (company) is comprised of four separate departments, these four departments are essential in running an efficient, reliable, and secure network system These departments will be able to communicate with each other efficiently and keep the daily operations running successfully and accurate. The company will need to keep in mind the prevention of fraud, which is why the company designs a strong and reliable network security program. In case of program failure the networking program must provide network access to the majority of its employees through segment and sufficient cabling, thus eliminating the possibility of a decrease of productivity. With all this said the company’s network will provide the ability to share central devices such as scanners, copiers, printers, thus providing external and internal data for traveling salespeople to access. Finally, the network will have a central storage unit for file sharing, which will be used amongst the four departments, and the system capabilities will include an internal authentication, verification process for all authorized employees and expansion capabilities for additional devices when the need arises.

The best choice overall would be to implement a star topology network in each department’s office. This type of network allows for manageability and ease, the network uses a hub as a central point of link for the computers and other devices on the Local Area Network (LAN). These devices are connected to the network by connecting the device to the hub by its own separate cable. The star topology network also allows for expandability without difficulty, this also depends on how many ports are on the hub that are being used. According to Hallberg (2005) each hub usually hosts about 24 nodes, but hubs that do, can exist in range from two nodes up to 96 nodes. Keeping in mind if the hub only allows access for 10 continuous than only 10 devices can be added, but if more ports are needed on the hub, two hubs can linked together to provide more connectivity. When the company needs to add more computers, this can be accomplished by easily connecting the computers to the port on the hub, providing that space is available for this type of expansion. The advantage of a star topology; not having to shut down network and interfering with other devices while the network is up and running.

The disadvantage of such a network is that a great deal of cabling is required that can sometimes result in high overhead costs; much more actual wire is required, the labor to install wiring, and the additional cost for added hubs. (Hallberg) 2005. When considering costs, another way to go is connecting via wireless, but this should be kept to a minimal, due to connections are sometimes blocked by outside variables. So one must keep in mind strategic planning and if done correctly a reasonable budget is possible. Another disadvantage is the weakest point of the network topology; the central hub, the malfunction of the central hub affects the entire network.

Designing the network in a simple manner will allow the company too easily to maintain the system. Connecting each department within the organization using the star topology, the connection will terminate to separate network devices located in Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) or intermediate distribution frame closet. The closet will hold the switch that connects to the network’s router. Since the departments are located within close proximately of each other, this is the best layout and permits the system to be expandable and accessed with ease.

The star topology offers a wide variety and different types of cabling options. Some of the various cables that can be used by a star topology network are; coaxial cable, fiber optic cable and twisted pair cable. According to Hallberg (2005) networks with lower requirements one can use higher-rated cabling systems. The twisted pair cables are available in several categories that are ranged by their performance. The most commonly used to connect to personal network computers is the Category 5 (Cat-5). The company’s network design will use twisted pair cables to connect to the hubs to the MDF will be 10base-T (10 Mbps, twisted-pair (two pairs, Cat-3 or higher) cable. The decision to use 10base-T cable is because of its maximum length: 100 meters. Another possible choice that is used, but not as commonly in LAN networks: coaxial cable.

Coaxial cable are found more in older networks (those built prior to circa 1992) and the coaxial cable is of the thin variety (RG-58), Fiber optic cable is a faster option, come in a variety of types ranging in speed and length and capable of transmitting data at unbelievable speeds. (Hallberg, 2005) Also according to Kozel, Art and Armas, Ruben, (2005) “Fiber cabling is used to enhance performance over short distances as well.” Due to our company’s size, we went with cost, Cat-5 and 10base-5 cables are far much cheaper and supply the necessary support needed for our company’s network design.

When installing network cabling our company is using a ‘Network Cabling Specification Checklist. The network cabling specification checklist provides the requirements for installation of cabling for the network. Using the checklist will provide proper cable and connectors to be installed. Labeling said cables and connectors will save time and money in the long run. Documentation is highly important; the document should entail certification reports that show all the installed cables operate properly and that a special network test device was used.

Network Cabling Specification Checklist

· Category 5E Cable

· Category 5E patch cable

· RJ45 connector

· Category 5E cable should expand 100 meters in length

· 10Base-T cable

Choosing this type of topology will provide outstanding opportunities for expansion and management as well as help support the company’s network goals.

References

Hallberg, B. (2005). Networking: A beginner's guide. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill/Osborne.

Kozel, Art, and Ruben Armas. "Cabling certification." Journal of Validation Technology 11.4 (August 2005): 308(7). General OneFile. Gale. Apollo Library. 14 Sept. 2008  <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

Gale Document Number:A138071053