Unit:

Computer Networks

Assignment title:
Delight – Private Hire

Sample Assignment

Important notes
• Please refer to the Assignment Presentation Requirements for advice
on how to set out your assignment. These can be found on the NCC
Education website. Click on ‘Policies & Advice’ on the main menu and
then click on ‘Student Support’.
• You must read the NCC Education documents What is Academic
Misconduct? Guidance for Candidates and Avoiding Plagiarism and
Collusion: Guidance for Candidates and ensure that you acknowledge
all the sources that you use in your work. These documents are
available on the NCC Education website. Click on ‘Policies & Advice’
on the main menu and then click on ‘Student Support’.
• You must complete the Statement and Confirmation of Own Work.
The form is available on the NCC Education website. Click on ‘Policies
& Advice’ on the main menu and then click on ‘Student Support’.
• Please make a note of the recommended word count. You could lose
marks if you write 10% more or less than this.
• You must submit a paper copy and digital copy (on disk or similarly
acceptable medium). Media containing viruses, or media that cannot
be run directly, will result in a fail grade being awarded for this
assessment.
• All electronic media will be checked for plagiarism.

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Introduction
This assignment enables you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of
computer networks. You are required to produce a substantial document that totals
TWO THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED (2700) words. Consequently, you should
start work on the assignment at an early stage during the unit. The assignment is
divided into tasks, which relate to the sequence of the module, so you do not need
to wait until all the teaching is finished to start.
Some aspects of this assignment will require you to research real components that
are currently available in the marketplace. Furthermore, you will also be asked to
make judgements about what is best for the particular scenario. The information
provided is relatively brief, so you will need to make some assumptions. Please
note that there is not always one right answer. However, you will need to justify your
reasons for any choices you make to get high marks.
You are NOT required to design a complete network. You are required to detail the
specifics covered by the task list shown below.
Scenario
Delight was established in order to provide a safe, efficient, accessible and affordable
transport service that is responsive to the needs and requirements of its customers.
It provides a variety of services, including pre-booked taxis, airport transfers,
limousine hire and coach hire.
Alongside normal general public operations, it has contracts with local commercial
organisations and youth and educational establishments. Delight has two offices in
Leeds, UK.
Delight is a small enterprise, as defined by the European Commission with 44
employees altogether. The majority of these employees are drivers with ten members
of staff located in their offices. The office staff generally share responsibilities due to
the size of the business.
The Delight head office consists of a reception area, a main office, an Operations
Manager/Chief Executive office, and a small meeting room. The main office hosts all
admin staff besides the Operations Manager and Chief Executive. There is a large
storage room at the back of the main Delight head office. This contains a number of
documents including timesheets, driver/vehicle schedule printouts, invoices,
purchase orders, quotes, fuel cards, insurance files as well as ISO certification
(ISO14001 Environmental Management and ISO9001 Quality Management).
The Delight head office shares a location with other offices that collectively have
security at the main gate who allow/prevent access depending on the nature of an
individual’s visit.
The branch office is located in the centre of Leeds. There are two members of
administration staff on site 24 hours a day managing the logistics of all drivers. This
branch is also where the drivers are located between their assigned fares.

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Current IT systems
Delight have their emails and website hosted externally via a third party ISP known
as Beaumont Web Design. The current head office LAN consists of a Windows Small
Business Server 2008 R2 which operates as a Domain controller and hosts several
application systems: Sage Line 50 financial package, Sage HR, customer database,
taxi booking system, and database for vehicle maintenance.
There are a total of 10 client pcs of varying age in the head office and 2 at the branch
office. All run Windows 7. At the head office some connect to the server via Wi-Fi and
the ADSL router (protected with WPA2 14 character password and which has never
been reviewed since their initial set up in 2010), others connect through 10baseT over
Cat 5 UTP cabling and a hub. At the branch office both connect remotely to the server
via Wi-Fi and the ADSL router offers the same protection as the head office and was
also set-up in 2010.
Delight have traditional telephone lines. All drivers have company mobile phones.
Delight do not have any IT staff on site, however they do have access to an ad-hoc
IT technician based locally. This IT technician is called whenever Delight experience
an IT issue, with the technician either resolving the issue over the phone or by
travelling to Delight head office.
Expansion plans
The CEO is keen to improve their IT systems and is looking to make improvements
to the reporting and booking systems, with the addition of a facility for automatic
payment through credit cards to refine the customer experience. Delight has
invested in a solution to provide this functionality via a server-based application, and
mobile app which enables drivers to select the booking and enter the price. The
payments/ billing is provided via the server application. When this is successfully
implemented, the CEO wants to extend it to contactless payment for customers.
The CEO has called you in to advise him about designing the new network to
improve performance and security. He acknowledges that the computer hardware
is mostly old and will need replacing.
The following outline requirements have been identified:

Overall System Requirements

1. To provide a network solution (hardware and software) to meet the needs of the
company, which ensures timely and secure access to information.
2. To provide Internet access for office staff (via desktop) from head office and the
branch office.
3. To provide secure and appropriate access to the head office applications and
files by staff.
4. To provide network access between the head office (8 staff) and branch office (2
staff).

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Computer Networks © NCC Education Limited 2020
Data and information
1. Client information stored at the head office.
2. Corporate web email hosted at the head office (as it needs to integrate with the
new booking and billing system).
3. Corporate Web site via ISP.
4. Client bookings/ records, including personal contact information stored at the
head office.

Hardware
1. New computers to meet performance, security and storage requirements
(including backup) running Microsoft Windows for all office based staff.
2. New network printers (2).
3. Network components & servers as required.

Software
1. Latest Microsoft Office suite required.
2. WordPress is used for the Web site. The company wish to keep this software.
3. New booking management software (bookings/ payments/ records) integrated
with Exchange server and Android apps used by drivers.
4. Web & email Internet access.
5. Suitable security software

Security requirements
1. Information security must meet the UK Government’s ‘Cyber Essentials’
programme (https://www.cyberessentials.ncsc.gov.uk/.
2. Restrictions are required to be implemented to control access to the confidential
client information.
3. The system is required to be secure from internal and external threats.
4. An automated daily backup policy and procedure, for all the information stored
within the business.
5. Further discussion will be required to establish downtime that is acceptable.

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Task 1: Network Infrastructure and Protocols - 30 Marks
The head office requires new IT infrastructure. The CEO has asked you to provide a
report to clarify the following:
a) It has been suggested that there are two major options for providing the
network: Use Ethernet components/ cabling or use Wi-Fi.
The head office has a mixture of 10base T over Cat 5 UTP and Wi-Fi; Explain the
difference between this and newer versions of Ethernet and Wi-Fi and make a
recommendation about the technology the charity should use. You should discuss
differences in data rate and the type of cable required and network contention. A
good answer will relate your recommendation to the business requirements.
b) A hub, a switch, a wireless access point and a router are networking
components. Explain the differences between them and identify the OSI
layer at which each component operates. For each component, support your
answer with ONE (1) reason.
c) Network architecture is frequently described in terms of the OSI 7-layer
model. Explain the purpose of each of the 7 layers.
d) Given the applications that will be used and making any suitable
assumptions, explain the purpose of SEVEN (7) protocols. For each protocol,
identify the layer at which they operate.
This task requires around NINE HUNDRED (900) words.

Tasks continue on next page

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Task 2: Addressing - 30 Marks
The company want you to provide a clear explanation about network addressing.
a) Explain why network components need addresses. Explain clearly the
difference between a MAC address and an IP address. Distinguish briefly
between IPv4 and IPv6.
b) The company would like you to explain the difference between a private IPv4
address and a public IPv4 address. Ensure you explain where/ if you would
use each type in their network. State the Private IP address ranges.
c) Explain what DHCP is, where you would use it in the IT centre and remote
offices and why you would use it.
d) What is ARP and why is it needed?
e) Define the terms Default Gateway and Subnet Mask and briefly explain why
both are required in this project. You should provide THREE (3) points
relating to a subnet mask for full marks.
f) Explain what is meant by an IP Routing Table and provide ONE (1) example
of how a router uses its routing table on the Internet. You do NOT have to
explain every field in the routing table. In your example, explain how a packet
gets from source to destination.
This task requires around NINE HUNDRED (900) words.

Task 3: Security - 10 Marks

The CEO is seriously concerned about security.
a) Describe Three (3) measures that you recommend should be taken to keep
the network secure. This could include hardware, software, policies or ways
of checking them.
b) What do you think is the biggest threat for this system? Justify your answer.
This task requires around THREE HUNDRED (300) words.

Tasks continue on next page

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Task 4: Diagram and explanation - 20 Marks
The company wants a clear diagram to show how the components of the new
system will be connected. You should provide the following:
a) Draw a logical network diagram (topology) that shows the main components
of the network (including connections to the branch office).
b) Invent and allocate suitable IPv4 addresses and add them in the diagram.
You should ensure you include the subnet mask and identify those that need
providing by the ISP.
c) Explain why you have chosen the particular hardware components and why
you have connected them together in that way.
d) Give local prices and specification of suitable hardware/ software you
recommend.
This task requires around THREE HUNDRED (300) words.

Task 5 Remote access– 10 Marks

The company employs drivers. These staff need to access email, and the bookings
system via Android smartphones. The branch office also requires a remote
connection to the head office network and (some of) its applications. Good
communication is vital.

a) Explain how your solution incorporates secure remote access into the
system from the branch office and mobile drivers. Identify the components
you would need and actions you’d need to take to get it to work.
b) How does the remote access requirement from mobile devices impact the
network security?

Your answer should be around THREE HUNDRED (300) words.

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Guidance and submission requirements
• Your answers should be word-processed and total 2700 words in length (+/-
10%) You will lose marks if you go under or over this word count.
• Familiarise yourself with the NCC Education Academic Dishonesty and
Plagiarism Policy and ensure you correctly reference all the sources which
you use in your work.
• All references and citations must adhere to the Harvard system.
• Media containing viruses, or media which cannot be run directly, will result in
a fail grade being awarded for this module.

Candidate checklist
Please use the following checklist to ensure that your work is ready for submission.

Have you read the NCC Education documents What is Academic

Misconduct? Guidance for Candidates and Avoiding Plagiarism and
Collusion: Guidance for Candidates and ensured that you have ❑
acknowledged all the sources that you have used in your work?

Have you completed the Statement and Confirmation of Own Work

form and attached it to your assignment? You must do this. ❑
Have you ensured that your work has not gone over or under the
recommended word count by more than 10%? ❑
Have you ensured that your work does not contain viruses and can
be run directly? ❑

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Computer Networks © NCC Education Limited 2020