Toaz - Info Unit 2 Assignment Brief PR
Toaz - Info Unit 2 Assignment Brief PR
Toaz - Info Unit 2 Assignment Brief PR
Submission format
Part 1
The submission is in the form of an individual written report. This should be written in a concise, formal
business style using single spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs and
subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard
referencing system. Please also provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system. The
recommended word limit is 2,000–2,500 words, although you will not be penalized for exceeding the total word
limit.
Part 2
The submission is in the form of an individual evidence portfolio. This assignment can be completed as a group,
but each student must produce their own portfolio, which will contain:
A fully completed test plan including an evaluation of results and recommendations for improvements to
LAN.
Part 3
You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, subsections and illustrations as appropriate, and all work
must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system.
Assignment Brief
You are employed as a Network Engineer by Nguyen Networking Limited, a high-tech networking solution
development company, which have branches in Hồ Chí Minh City, Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng and Cần Thơ.
The company has been contracted to implement a networking project from a local educational institute. The
specification of the project is given below:
People: 200 students, 15 teachers, 12 marketing and administration staff, 05 higher managers including the
head of academics and the program manager, 03 computer network administrators.
Building: 03 floors, all computers and printers are on the ground floor apart from the IT labs – one lab located
on the first floor and another located on the second floor.
As a first task, the CEO of the company Mr. Nguyen has asked you to investigate and explain networking
principles, protocols and devices and submit a report.
Part 1
You will need to produce a report that includes the following:
1. An introduction to provide an overview of your report.
5. Discussion on operating principles of networking devices and server types and networking software.
7. Explore a range of server types and justify the selection of a server, considering a given scenario
regarding cost and performance optimization.
8. For the given specification, identify the topology protocol for the efficient utilization of a networking
system.
The CEO Mr. Nguyen is happy with your first report and now he has asked you to analyze the specification
from the institution, as given earlier.
You need to design and implement the networking project within a given time frame:
Part 2 - Design efficient networked systems
1. Prepare a written step-by-step plan of how you are going to design a Local Area Network including a
blueprint of your LAN.
3. Produce a test plan to evaluate this design for the requirements of bandwidth and cost constraints as per
user specifications.
4. Justify the security requirements and quality of services needed for selection of accessories.
2. Conduct verification with e.g. Ping, extended ping, trace route, telnet, SSH, etc.
3. Record the test results and analyze these against expected results.
4. Investigate what functionalities would allow the system to support device growth and the addition of
communication devices.
ASSESMENT CRITERIA
Contents
P1 Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network types and standards……………..6
P2 Explain the impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth requirements…..11
P3 Discuss the operating principles of networking devices and server types………………………15
P4 Discuss the inter-dependence of workstation hardware with relevant networking software……………18
P5 Design a networked system to meet a given specification………………….
P6 Test and evaluate the design to meet the requirements and analyze user feedback………………
P7 Implement a networked system based on a prepared design………………
P8 Document and analyze test results against expected results………………
References…………………………………………………………………………. 19
P1 Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network types and standards.
- Local Area Network (LAN):
A local area network (LAN) is made up of many computers and devices that share a common
communications line or a wireless link with the server in a separate geographic area. [1]
[2]
Benefit of LAN:
Resource Sharing: The LAN allows us to share resources such as computer resources like
printer, DVD-ROMs, modems and hard drives which can be shared on connected devices to help
us cut costs and hardware purchases.
Software Applications Sharing: In the local network, it is easy to use the same software on
several computers connected to the network instead of buying software under a separate license
for each client on the network.
Easy and Cheap Communication: Data and messages can be easily shared with other
computers on the network.
Centralized Data: The data of all network users can be stored on the hard drive of the central
computer, server. This helps users to use any computer on the network to access the necessary
data.
Data Security: The data is stored on the server computer, so it's easier to manage the data in
one place and the data will be more secure.
Internet Sharing: Local area networks provide the ability to share a single Internet connection
among all users on the local network.
Constraints of LAN:
High Setup Cost: The initial configuration cost for installing LANs is high because special
software is required to create the server and communication devices such as Ethernet cables, switches,
hubs, routers and cables are expensive.
Privacy Violations: LAN administrators can view and verify the personal data files of each LAN
user. In addition, it is possible to view the computer and Internet history of LAN users.
Data Security Threat: Unauthorized users can access important office or campus data if the
server hard drive is not properly secured by the LAN administrator.
LAN Maintenance Job: The local network requires a LAN administrator due to problems such
as software installation, program errors, or hardware or cable interference in the local network. A LAN
administrator is required to handle these problems.
Covers Limited Area: Local networks are limited in size, covering a small area such as an office,
a building or a group of buildings nearby. [3]
. [5]
Benefits of WAN:
Faster file accessibility: Because of caching, a person who uses the same file multiple times will
be able to access it faster because it is enough to save and retrieve new data, instead of having to reload
the entire document.
Increased speed between multiple office locations: WAN solutions maximize network speed
between remote websites, speed up file transfer and network communications, such as email.
Improved performance of "non-affected" applications: Applications that are not directly
affected by optimization solutions that seem to work easier or faster because the bandwidth previously
used for other processes can now be reserved for operations. unchanged.
More reliable and faster data recovery: Faulty servers and applications can take a long time to
recover. The ability to optimize to increase network response time allows users to quickly regain access
to important applications, thereby increasing productivity.
Constraints of WAN:
Security problems: WAN has more security concerns than MAN and LAN. WAN has many
technologies combined, which can create a security breach.
Needs firewall and antivirus software: Since data transmitted over the Internet can be
accessed and modified by hackers, the firewall must be activated on the computer. Some people may
also inject viruses into their computers to install antivirus software. Other security software must also be
installed on different points of the wide area network.
The setup cost is high: Setting up WAN for the first time in offices has a higher cost. This may
involve purchasing additional routers, switches, and security software. [6]
[8]
Benefits of MAN:
Less Expensive: It is cheaper to force MAN with LAN. MAN gives you good data efficiency. All
data on MAN is easily managed centrally.
Sending local emails: You can send local emails fast and free on MAN.
High speed than WAN: Data rates can easily reach 1000 Mbps because MAN uses optical fiber.
Fast file and database transfer speeds.
Sharing of the internet: With the installation of MAN, users can share their Internet connection.
In this way, many users can get the same broadband Internet.
High Security: MAN’s has a high-security level than WAN.
Constraints of MAN:
Difficult to manage: It is difficult to manage if the size and number of local networks increases.
This is due to additional security and configuration issues.
Internet speed difference: Because it cannot work on the copper wire of the phone. Copper wire
affects the speed of MAN. Therefore, a high cost is necessary for fiber optic cables.
Hackers attack: In this network, there is a high risk of hacker attack compared to the LAN.
Therefore, the data may be leaking. Highly secure personnel are in demand at MAN.
Technical staff requires to set up: Highly technical people require to setup MAN. The technical
people are network administrators and troubleshooters.
Need More wires: In MAN more than LAN network, cables require. As you know, it is a
combination of two LANs. [9]
[11]
Benefits of WLAN:
Light of sight is not required for propagation.
The signal is not blocked by any objects like buildings, trees etc.
High data rate, as coverage area is small.
Reliable type of communication.
Economical for a small area access.
Wireless transmission provides great flexibility.
Constraints of WLAN:
This communication is very prone to interference and noise.
It has limited coverage area.
Communication is not very secure and unauthorized access is common.
License is required. [12]
[14]
P2 Explain the impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth requirements.
- Networking Topologies:
Bus: All devices are connected to a common cable as a tree-truck, operates in daisy chain
fashion, medium is shared that’s why creates collision.
Advantages:
Star: In the star network, the devices are connected to a central computer, called a hub.
Nodes communicate by transmitting data through the center.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Ring: The local area network (LAN) has a topology is a ring. All nodes are connected in a
closed loop.
Advantages:
Mesh: In networks, devices are connected to multiple redundant connections between nodes
in the network. In an actual mesh topology, each node is connected to all other nodes in the
network.
Advantages:
Tree: It is a hybrid topology that combines the characteristics of linear topologies and linear
Bus. In a tree network, the star-configured network groups are connected to the main linear network
cable.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to configure.
- If backbone breaks, entire network goes down.
- More expensive.
Hybrid: Hybrid topology that combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. In a
hybrid network, groups of star-configured networks are connected to a linear bus backbone cable.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
[16]
Bandwidth:
Bandwidth is the capacity of a wired or wireless network communications link to
transmit the maximum amount of data from one point to another over a computer network or
internet connection in a given amount of time -- usually one second. Synonymous with capacity,
bandwidth describes the data transfer rate. Bandwidth is not a measure of network speed -- a
common misconception.
Expected average load; anticipated peak load; local internet availability; cost
constraints, throughput.
The impact of network bandwidth requirements:
Bandwidth affects how long it takes to download or upload information over the
Internet. A connection that has plenty of bandwidth available provides a smooth, responsive
user experience. The more available bandwidth, the more quickly data can be transferred;
however, the law of diminishing returns applies here. Once you have sufficient bandwidth,
Internet performance is not further affected.
Operation of Hub
Routers:
- Operate at Network Layer of the OSI model.
- Can connect nearer or far network segments.
Operation of Routers
[17]
Switches:
- Provide signal flow management.
- Replace slower hub.
- Being a Data Link Layer device uses MAC address for data transfer.
- Data transfer to specific port.
Operation of Switch:
[18]
- Server types:
Web;
File;
Mail;
Database;
Virtualization;
Third floor.
P6 Test and evaluate the design to meet the requirements and analyze user feedback.
- Performance test:
Performance testing is the process determining the speed, the ability to meet and stability of
computer, network, software or equipment will perform well under their expected workload.
Features and Functionality supported by a software system is not the only concern. A
software application's performance like its response time, reliability, resource usage, and
scalability do matter. The goal of Performance Testing is not to find bugs but to eliminate
performance bottlenecks.
Seven performance testing steps:
Identify the testing environment: Identify the hardware, software, network configurations
and tools available allows the test team to design the test and identify performance test
challenges from the start.( Time for this test about 10 minutes ).
Identify performance metrics: In addition to identifying metrics such as response time,
throughput, and constraints, identify the criteria for successful performance testing.
( Time for this test about 15 minutes).
Plan and design performance tests: Identify performance test scenarios that take into
account user variability, test data, and target metrics. This will create one or two models.
( Time for this test about 20 minutes).
Configure the test environment: Prepare the elements of the test environment and the
necessary instruments to monitor the resources. ( Time for this test about 10 minutes).
Implement your test design: Develop the tests. ( Time for this test about 15 minutes).
Execute tests: In addition to running performance tests, monitor and capture the data
generated. ( Time for this test about 15 minutes).
Analyze, report, retest: Analyze the data and share the results. Rerun the performance
tests using the same and different parameters. ( Time for this test about 30 minutes).
At last, performance testing takes 115 minutes. [21]
- Stress test:
Stress testing is a procedure to determine whether a computer, an application, a device, or
the entire network can withstand high loads and still work. A stress test can be a simulation of an
unfavorable condition destroying a system or at least reducing its performance.
Stress Testing process can be done in 5 steps:
Planning the Stress Test: Here you collect system data, analyze the system, define the
objectives of the stress test. ( Time for this test about 15 minutes).
Create Automation Scripts: In this phase, you create the stress test automation scripts,
generate the test data for the stress scenarios. ( Time for this test about 20 minutes).
Script Execution: In this step, you run the stress test automation scripts and store the
stress results. ( Time for this test about 10 minutes).
Results Analysis: In this step, you analyze the results of the stress tests and identify the
bottlenecks. ( Time for this test about 5 minutes).
Tweaking and Optimization: In this step, you refine the system, modify the configurations,
optimize the code with the objective of reaching the desired benchmark. ( Time for this test
about 10 minutes).
In conclusion, stress testing takes 60 minutes. [22]
- Failure test:
Failure testing is very important part of the production process. Failure tests are one way to
ensure that you produce a product and service that does not fail in adverse situations.
Continuous failure testing, even after product development, will help you ensure that your
production process is as optimal as possible and that you are improving your product or service.
Failure testing have 3 parts:
Step 1: Data collection.
The first step in a root cause failure analysis is data collection. I will collect information
about how the device failed and when it happened.
During this phase, I will carry out tests on the product analyzed. It is common to test a
representative sample of faulty devices as well as those that work properly. This can help
determine which components are failing and when the failure occurs. ( Time for this test about
10 minutes).
Step 2: Analyze Data Collected to Determine Root Cause Failure.
The next step in the failure analysis process is to determine the root cause of the failure.
Device failure is rarely the result of a single incident. ( Time for this test about 15 minutes).
ASM1,2 Networking.pkt
Then I will enter the ping command on a computer that has a specific IP address. It’s like a way
of transferring data between devices and helps me know if the connection is good.
I try to ping 192.168.3.15 and I have the result below.
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