IT

Infrastructure
INTRODUCTION
Information technology refers to process of development, maintenance and usage of
computer systems, networks, software and hardware. This comprises of usage of processing and
distribution of data (raw facts, figures, etc.). IT infrastructure is defined as composite software,
hardware, network services and resources which are required for management, operations and
existence of enterprise within IT environment. In this assignment Westpac Banking Corporation
is taken into consideration. It is an Australian bank which provides financial services. They are
headquartered Westpac place, Sydney with around 1204 branches and render their services
worldwide. This report deals with scope of network, their segments, network devices and IP
addresses along with their subnet mask. Apart from this, two organisations are analysed which
can be used to host email and web servers, virtualisation and cloud computing.

Part I
1. Examine geographical scope of network and network backbone devices with categorisation of
different network segments, users and applications.

Local area network

A local area network (LAN) is a network that connects computers and devices in a limited
geographical area such as home, school, computer laboratory, office building, or closely
positioned group of buildings. Each computer or device on the network is a node. Current wired
LANs are most likely to be based on Ethernet technology, although new standards like ITU-
T G.hn also provide a way to create a wired LAN using existing home wires (coaxial cables,
phone lines and power lines).[4]

Typical library network, in a branching tree topology and controlled access to resources

All interconnected devices must understand the network layer (layer 3), because they are
handling multiple subnets (the different colors). Those inside the library, which have only 10/100
Mbit/s Ethernet connections to the user device and a Gigabit Ethernet connection to the central
router, could be called "layer 3 switches" because they only have Ethernet interfaces and must
understand IP. It would be more correct to call them access routers, where the router at the top is

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a distribution router that connects to the Internet and academic networks' customer access
routers.

The defining characteristics of LANs, in contrast to WANs (Wide Area Networks), include their
higher data transfer rates, smaller geographic range, and no need for leased telecommunication
lines. Current Ethernet or other IEEE 802.3 LAN technologies operate at speeds up to 10 Gbit/s.
This is the data transfer rate. IEEE has projects investigating the standardization of 40 and 100
Gbit/s.

 Connects computers within a limited geographical area

 Uses wired & wireless technologies, standards & protocols
 (ex: School computer labs and home networks)
 Each workstation of the LAN, which can be a microcomputer, a barcode reader
or a word processor can work as an autonomous equipment, but they are
connected to a central controlling unit, through which they can communicate
( exchange data, share software or hardware ) with other workstations of the
network. Though each workstation can act independently, they are not capable
of controlling the activities of other stations of the network. To avoid
corruption or collision of data during communication, several techniques like
Career Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) and Career
Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance are used to control the
transmission of data. Further information on these techniques will not be given
here since it lies outside the scope of this paper. Figure 1 shows the basic
components of a LAN (Collier, 1988).

 � Communication medium: there is some kind of medium to connect all the

workstations and other equipment together.

 � File server: a computer dedicated to providing shared access to a main

storage device.

 � Print server : a computer dedicated to providing shared printing facilities.

 � Gateway : a computer providing access to other networks.

 � Workstation: a user's computer or any other equipment.

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Backbone network

A Backbone network (BBN) A backbone network or network backbone is part of a computer

network infrastructure that interconnects various pieces of network, providing a path for the
exchange of information between different LANs or subnetworks.[1][2] A backbone can tie
together diverse networks in the same building, in different buildings in a campus environment,
or over wide areas. Normally, the backbone's capacity is greater than the networks connected to
it.

A large corporation that has many locations may have a backbone network that ties all of the
locations together, for example, if a server cluster needs to be accessed by different departments
of a company that are located at different geographical locations. The pieces of the network
connections (for example: ethernet, wireless) that bring these departments together is often
mentioned as network backbone. Network congestion is often taken into consideration while
designing backbones.

Backbone networks should not be confused with the Internet backbone.

There are two backbone network :

1. Bus backbone (Distributed  Backbone)

2. Star backbone (Collapsed Backbone)

Bus Backbone (Distributed Backbone):-The Bus backbone work just like its name, it
handles bus topology as well as all its protocols that are adaptable with bus topology 
like 10Base2 or 10Base5. To connect the different subnetwork at the different floors. All
the LAN is connected together to the different floor of the building. They also form
backbone which is star topology, thus the multiple LAN  are connected through a bus
Backbone to exchange the data and share the resources .Thus the backbone is
connected through each other and the backbone which are made for each user are
used to flow the information.

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In this figure the bridge block the information which is flowing from the terminal of the
LAN on the backbone. However if the terminal one is sharing the information from the
other LAN on the backbone bridge are connected to the LAN which formed a frame that
contain the information to the backbone so that the frame way and deliver to the bridge
with the help of backbone. In this way the frame is sent to the destination LAN   and the
terminal. Each of the bridges of the backbone that maintain a  table of the LAN's to help
the flow of the information.

Star Backbone (Collapsed Backbone):-Star backbone uses wiring hubs, switchesto

generate a backbone to connect different  LAN's or subnetwork. The one switch is used
to interconnect the different LAN's. So it also referred as a switched backbone.

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In this figure the particular LAN of each floor are interconnected  with the star backbone.
In the star backbone switch perform as a backbone. It is installed at one unify location in
the building that location may be our a computer centre ar data centre. Separate table
runs from the switch to each floor of the LAN's. Each of the LAN is implemented in star
topology hubs can be equipped in a closet at each floor or hubs or switches can be
installed  in the same place where the backbone switch is equipped. 

A network segment is a portion of a computer network that is separated from the rest

of the network by a device such as a repeater, hub, bridge, switch or router. Each
segment can contain one or multiple computers or other hosts.

The type of segmentation differs according to the type of device used. For example, a
bridge separates collision domains, while a router separates both collision domains
and broadcast domains.

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A collision domain is a logical area in a network where data packets can collide with
one another. A collision occurs when two or more network devices attempt to send a
signal along the same transmission channel at the same time, and it can result in
garbled, and thus useless, messages. A broadcast domain is the portion of a network
that is reachable by a network broadcast, i.e., a simultaneous transmission of a single
message to all hosts on the network, or part, thereof.

Hub –  A hub is basically a multiport repeater. A hub connects multiple wires coming
from different branches, for example, the connector in star topology which connects
different stations. Hubs cannot filter data, so data packets are sent to all connected
devices.  In other words, collision domain of all hosts connected through Hub remains
one.  Also, they do not have intelligence to find out best path for data packets which
leads to inefficiencies and wastage.

Switch – A switch is a multi port bridge with a buffer and a design that can boost its
efficiency(large number of  ports imply less traffic) and performance. Switch is data link
layer device. Switch can perform error checking before forwarding data, that makes it
very efficient as it does not forward packets that have errors and  forward good packets
selectively to correct port only.  In other words, switch divides collision domain of hosts,
but broadcast domain remains same.

2.

https://study-ccna.com/cisco-three-layer-hierarchical-model/

http://www.omnisecu.com/cisco-certified-network-associate-ccna/three-tier-hierarchical-
network-model.php

3.

https://support.microsoft.com/ms-my/help/164015/understanding-tcp-ip-addressing-and-
subnetting-basics

http://www.cse.uconn.edu/~vcb5043/MISC/IP%20Intranet.html
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Part II
1. Propose two organisations which provide cloud services for hosting email and web servers.
Justify the services provided by them
Cloud computing refers to computer resources which comprises computing power and
data storage but they are not managed by user actively. It renders hosted services over internet
and they are classified into software as a service, platform as a service and infrastructure as a
service. In this two organisations which are taken into account are Microsoft and Amazon. They
provide cloud services known as Microsoft Azure and Amazon web services. They are defined
below with their usage in Westpac.
Microsoft Azure: It is defined as data centre which is used for building, deploying, managing
and providing services via global network. They provide different services which are described
below:
PAAS (Platform as a service): In this, a platform is provided to clients for development
and deploying software. By making use of this Westpac bank can make use servers and
infrastructure without worrying about their management as well as maintenance. Microsoft
Azure will be responsible for maintaining servers, operating systems or issues related with
network at low cost. These resources are allocated when needed by customers and servers are
updated automatically.
IAAS (Infrastructure as a service): It gives user access for managing and monitoring data
centres by themselves. Westpac can have virtual machine which adapts to meet their
requirements. Bank can migrate their database to Azure without rework. They have to decide
servers which they (Westpac bank) have to use like in this case it is email and web server.
Amazon web services (AWS): It is comprehensive and evolving cloud computing platform which
is furnished by Amazon. It provides organisation with option of pay as you go cloud computing
model which provides users with storage and compute. They have around 140 compute, storage,
analytics, database, networking, management tools, developer tools, IoT, security and enterprise
applications. Westpac bank can make use of these services when they need it. It will save their
switching cost and they can opt for services which they need by paying for it. Amazon EC2
provides virtual machines and manages features of servers like security, storage, etc. This can be

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used by Westpac bank as they have carry lots of transactions and for this they need to have extra
security.

2. Outline techniques for utilisation of service virtualisation and implementation of cloud

platforms.
Service virtualisation refers to a method which simulate behaviour of particular
component in heterogeneous component based applications like cloud base, service oriented and
API driven applications. Basically, they can be defined as process of creation of system on which
new applications depends on, so that they can be tested in terms of working of application and
integration of system. This can be used by Westpac bank to check whether there new system or
updates are working as per required standard. Techniques of service virtualisation in cloud
platforms are specified below:
Network virtualisation: It refers to process of combination of software and hardware
network resources in which network functionality is merged into single virtual network. It
comprises of platform virtualisation which is united with resource virtualisation. In this resources
within network are combined by splitting bandwidth into various channels. Westpac bank can
opt for this as this technique to manage complexity of network by dividing into different parts
which will be easy to manage. Cloud computing provides a platform where these networks are
formulated.
Server virtualisation: It is the process of covering server resources which comprises of
number as well as identity of processors, operating system, physical servers from server users.
Administrator of server makes use of software application for dividing one physical server into
various isolated virtual environments. These virtual environments are referred to as virtual
private servers but usually known by containers or guests. This will enable technical team of
Westpac bank to manage their complex server resources easily. Also it will enable them to
expand their capacity.
Storage virtualisation: It refers to physical storage from different storage devices into a
device which seems as a single unit. But basically it is a pool of available capacity which is
managed from central location. In this internal functions of storage devices are abstracted (hiding
the essential details) from host servers, host application or anyone who is within network. This
will assist Westpac bank to secure their confidential information. It is referred to as cloud

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storage. This can be used by technical team of bank to create backup and recover data by hiding
physical and real storage architecture.

3. How cloud computing support dynamic scaling of Westpac bank applications.

Scalability refers to process in which ability of system to handle diminishing and growing
resources by which demands of organisation can be fulfilled. The major benefit which is
provided by cloud computing is their elasticity which indicates that resources can be added and
removed when they are needed. This can have strong impact on Westpac bank as they will be
able to decrease entire cost of ownership for different applications which are being used by them.
This will assist where cost of software or hardware is very high, in this case services from cloud
can be used and they can be removed when specific project is completed. Dynamic allocation
will enable utilization of variables as demands of clients fluctuate. When services are being
provided by cloud then automated scaling listener has been configured. By considering example
of bank, this concept is illustrated by which this can be understood in appropriate manner.
Consider Westpac bank has opted for a service from cloud suppose from Microsoft Azure. Then
they will implement automated scaling listener which will tell that when new resources are
required to be added to the workload processing like database of banking system contains lots of
information and there is enhanced increase in number of customers. At one point storage space
will be full which means that extra space is re4quired to maintain further record of information.
For this a notification or message will pop-up which will indicate that management needs to
extend their database. This is not possible for bank practically so they can extend their storage
space within cloud by paying extra amount as per storage space they need.
In this case cloud has provided logic for determining ways in which IT resources can be
provided dynamically depending upon agreement between Westpac bank and service provider.
Basically there are three types of dynamic scaling. They are described here:
Dynamic horizontal scaling: Resources will be out scaled that means if used by Westpac
bank than fluctuations in workloads can be handled. The automatic scaling listener keeps on
monitoring requests as well as signals resources for initiating IT resource duplication according
to permissions and requirements.
Dynamic vertical scaling: IT resource instances are scaled down and up when there is
requirement to amend processing of capability of each IT resource. Like Westpac bank, if

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capacity of virtual server is loaded than either they can increase their memory dynamically or
may add processing core.
Dynamic Relocation: IT resources can be relocated to host who have more capacity. Like
Westpac can move from SAN storage device with 16 GB per second to 32 GB per second I/O
capacity device.

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CONCLUSION

REFERENCES
Books & Journals

Online
Virtualization techniques in cloud computing. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.sam-solutions.com/blog/virtualization-techniques-in-cloud-computing/>.

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