Logical Design for Dedicated Server Design

The assignment content presents a logical design for dedicated server design at iTech Data Center. It discusses the network design, cloud-based providers such as VMware and Azure, IP addresses and network mask, subnetting, and DNS and web servers configuration. The design is represented in a diagram showing three-layer hierarchical model with access layer devices, distribution layer switches, and core layer switches. The content also provides a simulation of the iTech Network using Cisco Packet Tracer software, including DHCP, DNS, and HTTP server configurations.

IT Infrastructure
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Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
IT Infrastructure Components.....................................................................................................................4
Three-Layer Hierarchical Model..................................................................................................................5
Geographical scope.....................................................................................................................................7
Dedicated server design proposal...............................................................................................................9
Logical Design for dedicated server design.................................................................................................9
Cloud Based Design...................................................................................................................................12
Network simulation...................................................................................................................................13
Conclusions and Recommendations..........................................................................................................19
Reference..................................................................................................................................................20

Introduction
Networking is the process of interconnecting computing devices with the aim of sharing of
resources and information according to Mitchell (Mitchell, 2017). There are various networking
designs implemented in different organizations. This proposal suggests a networking design both
with dedicated server and cloud design for iTech Company.
Objective of the Report
The main objectives (Coleman, 2012) to be achieved from this network include:
Scalability/Extensibility – This is the addition of more networking devices or extension of the
network without have to carry the installation process afresh.
Easy troubleshooting and management – This is the ability to handle networking problems
arising as well as proper management of the network by iTech.
Security of iTech operations – The design should ensure that operations at iTech are properly
carried out and in a more secured manner across the network.
A thorough and detailed analysis of the Network infrastructure components need, design of
three-layered hierarchical model, use of dedicated server design, cloud based design and Data
Center Building network design simulation of iTech is discusses in this proposal. This report also
suggests various recommendations points on the networking design to be implemented. The
document also gives a conclusion of the whole report
Background
iTech Company majors in software development and is located between three adjacent five-story
buildings in an office park. The company has 900-workstations network distributed across each
buildings, each having approximately 300 workstations. The three buildings of ITech Company
have similar LAN. The DCB for this organization is located on the second floor of one of the
five-story buildings. Here, servers such as mail server, web server, file server, DNS and DHCP
server are hosted. Its domain name is www.iTech.org.au. This organization’s network design is
not well designed hence call for replacement.

IT Infrastructure Components
Some of the IT infrastructure components needed for the proposed design are:
Computer Networks Hardware Components
This consists of:
a) Network Switches
This provides interconnection of other network devices within a network (Mitchell, 2017). The
types of switches that iTech Company should go for based on future extensibility factor are
modular switches. This kind of switch will enhance flexibility and future extensibility for iTech
Company. These switches support modular line cards that allow addition of ports on the switch
in the case of scaling the network.
b) Router
This device will allow connection of iTech networks and extend to internet accessibility. The
router will enhance communications between the three LAN networks for iTech Company.
c) Wireless Access Point (WAP)
This will ensure that additional or other clients or workstations are connected to iTech network
wirelessly. The device will broadcast digital signals across iTech Company at a given range.
d) Fiber cable
This will act as a transmission media and connects networking devices for faster transmission
across the network. This transmission cable will connect core components to distribution
components and end user components in the network.
e) Server/Storage Components
These include; DNS server, mail server, Web server, file server, DHCP server, Database server
and print server. The devices will provide important functionalities in the network design.
f) Ethernet cable
This cable shall be used to connect access layer devices to the whole iTech LANs in each
building.
g) Workstations devices
These are employee’s personal computers, office IP phones among other devices connected to
the iTech Network.
Software Components
These include operating systems, Network Operating System (NOS) which are executed other
network for sharing resources across the iTech Network.
The network to be designed will therefore rely on the named components in order for the design
to be successful (Mbaocha, 2012).

Three-Layer Hierarchical Model
This model breaks down network design into three layers. The layers perform various
differentiated functions thus simplifying the network design (CISCO, 2014). The hierarchical
model layers are;
Access layer – connect end users to the network.
Distribution layer –connects access layer devices to distribution services
Core layers –connects distribution layers to iTech LAN.
The layers can be shown below.
iTech Company should therefore implement this model when designing their new network
considering that the size of the organization. Separating the network into three layers will make it
easier for iTech Company to manage their network.
Current network
The current network design is not well organized. The Flat network model in use currently treats
all the networks and their components to be on the same level. This makes it harder to manage
iTech network and also conduct the administrative operations effectively. The current network at
iTech Company cannot be extended effectively without affecting the whole network operations.
Also having similar LAN in each building in both design and operations, makes it difficult to
trouble shoot. The network is also poorly secured and a slight mistake may paralyze the whole
network.

Future iTech IT Infrastructure
The intended future design is based on three-layer hierarchical design model. This network will
highlight each component represented in each layer of the iTech Network. With this design the
network will be more simplified, flexible, scalable, and easy to troubleshoot and manage. This
means that the network at ITech Company will be more clear and visible (Cisco, 2013).

Geographical scope
The network geographical scope will be based on many-to-many relation. This is as a result of
having various networking devices defined on the three- layer hierarchical model. The many-to-
many geographical requirement will enable interconnectivity of the companies LANs in the three
buildings. The geographical scope is explained below based on the three layers.
Access Layer
This layer provides an interface with end user devices such as the computers, IP phones, printers,
to enable access to the whole of the iTech Network. This layer ensures there is a connection
between networking devices to the network and control the mode of communication across the
network (CISCO, 2014). Here many end user devices may be connected to a number of access
switches on each of the iTech buildings considering the number of offices available on each
building. The access layer for each floor of the a given iTech Company Building will resemble
the diagram below
Distribution Layer
This layer provides a clear interface between both the access layer components and the core layer
components in the iTech network. This layer enables access layer devices to access network
functionalities, intelligent routing and switching occur in the whole network of iTech Company.
Differentiation of services is also done here where various services are grouped into classes
based on their functionalities at the edge of the whole network design. This ensures high
availability of the core layer components by access layer end user devices.
Core Layer
This consists of devices such as routers which enables network functions such as routing in order
for these devices to be able to access both the external and internal network. This layer links
together distribution layer switches which interfaces access devices in iTech Network design.
This layer enhances scalability, high speed operations among others.
The geographical scope for iTech Company network logical design can be represented below.

Scalability
Each module of the iTech Company network design will enable replication of various
networking components as the network expands. This will make it possible for iTech Company
to conduct expansion planning and implementation easily. Extensibility can be done by addition
of more distribution layer switches to accommodate more access layer end users (Guide, 2011) .

Dedicated server design proposal
A dedicated server is a centralized computer device that stores information and allows sharing
and accessibility of that information by various workstations in a network (Hope, 2017). Some of
the servers required for this design to perform various dedicated functions include;
File Server
This server manages storage and transfer of data files across iTech network (Rouse, 2009).
Mail Server
This application manages transfer of emails between workstations within www.iTech.org.au
domain.
Web Server
This is where iTech domain name www.iTech.org.au will be hosted and accessed by employees
or iTech clients.
DNS Server
This server will link the Web server to clients using their assigned IP addresses within the iTech
network.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server
This server will automatically assign IP addresses and default gateways to network devices
connected to the network.
Logical Design for dedicated server design
This is represented in the diagram below.

iTech Data Center hosts all the dedicated servers available on this network design. The data
center processes all the requests from the workstations as well as providing assignment of IP
addresses to new devices in the network. Therefor all the operations of the company will highly
rely on the dedicated server hosted at the data center.
IP addresses and Network Mask
With 900 computers in the entire iTech Network and with each building having about 300
computers a class B IP address will be appropriate for this design (Subnetting, 2010). The IP
addressing should cater for more than 1500 computers. This will enable future scalability process
of the network. Thus, assuming each building has about 500 workstations the IP Address for the
network would be represented in the table below.

Cloud Based Design
There is various cloud based providers that would offer services to iTech Company. Instead of
having a dedicated server network, iTech Company could opt for services from cloud computing
organizations such as;
a) VMware
This organization provides storage, advanced networking integration of enterprise environment
and data recovery services to clients. It has advanced security measures for its services such as
secure private network and compliance certificates. VMware also provides enterprise IT
platforms for modernization and customization of data centers which enables organizations to
address their needs without having to change the processes. Scalability is another feature of this
cloud organization that is suitable for iTech Company. This platform handles large workload,
and also makes it easy for an organization to extend to cloud from their own network.
b) Azure
Services provided by Microsoft Azure include storage services, Messaging, Data Management
and Content Delivery Network. Based on the needs of iTech Company to have various servers in
their network, the data center for the company can be located at the cloud. Here all iTech
network servers could be hosted at Azure cloud space outside its network. Azure services are
more scalable and reliable. This is achieved by use of Microsoft Azure Fabric to ensure that
services provided do not crash hence making it more reliable (Macken, 2016).
The two cloud service providers are suitable to iTech Company as they are scalable, accessible
and secured. Thus, iTech operations cannot be interfered with since both the organizations
provide reliable services (cloud-services, 2017). Hence, iTech Company if it considers to have its
Data Center on cloud, the two platforms will be appropriate.

Network simulation
iTech Network design can be simulated using cisco packet tracer software. This simulation
consists of access layer devices with DHCP, DNS and web servers. The IP address used is
130.30.1.0/24. The network simulation screenshot is shown below.
Personal computers (PC) represent access layer devices while cisco generic switches are used for
interfacing. The DHCP server assigns IP addresses to all the devices in the network
automatically. The DNS server links the iTech web files hosted on the web server to access PCs
while the web server hosts iTech Company web files (Meena, 2017).
DHCP Configuration
1. Click on the DHCP server to open it as shown below.

2. Select the desktop option and open IP configuration window below.
3. Assign the DHCP server an 130.30.0.2 IP Address manually and fill in the DNS server
IP Address on the DNS Server field.
4. Open the service tab and select DHCP service.
5. Fill Pool Name, Default Gateway, DNS Server, Starting IP Address, Subnet Mask and
Maximum number of users as per the requirement.

6. Once the details are filled click ON and the DHCP Server is successfully configured to
provide IP Addresses to all the other devices in the network.
DNS and Web Servers Configuration
1. Click on the iTech DNS server to open it then select desktop option,
2. Select IP Configuration option and then chose the DHCP option for automatic IP Address
assignment as shown below.
3. Open the iTech Web server and then select the desktop option.
4. Select IP Configuration and DHCP option for dynamic IP Address assignment as shown
below.

5. Click services tab and select HTTP oprion.
6. Create www.itech,org,au web page as seen below.
7. Then, click on the iTech DNS server

8. Select DNS on the service panel as seen below.
9. Enter www.itech.org.au Web Server name and its IP address and click Add.
10. Finally, select ON to complete the configuration process of iTech DNS Server set up.
Dynamic Network Configuration
Any client connected is automatically assigned an IP Address by the DHCP Server. To
demonstrate clicking on the iTech Workstation 3, then select desktop and choose IP
Configuration. Finally, select DHCP for automatic IP Address assignment as seen below.

.
Web Server Access (www.iTech.org.au)
To access the web server in the network click on iTech workstation 3. Open the Desktop Tab and
select Web Browser. On the web browser url section type www.iTech.org.au and click go to
access the web server as it is below.

Conclusions and Recommendations
In conclusion, it is perfectly clear that the proposed network design is more manageable and
more scalable than the current structure. Thus, iTech Company should adapt the new proposed
network design for the iTech company which is designed in three-layer hierarchical model which
defines various levels of iTech network and makes it easier differentiate services across the
network

Reference
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http://www.tutorialspoint.com/ipv4/ipv4_subnetting.htm
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services/infrastructure.html
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https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/d/dediserv.htm
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Technology. Academic Research International.
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