IT Infrastructure Report

This report analyzes the IT infrastructure of Westpac Bank, covering network scope, backbone devices, segments, IP addresses, and cloud computing strategies. It explores the three-layer hierarchy model, service virtualization, and dynamic scaling enabled by cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Part I.................................................................................................................................................1
1. Examine geographical scope of network and network backbone devices with categorisation
of different network segments, users and applications...............................................................1
2. Development of logical design diagram based on three layers hierarchy model....................5
3. Identification of type of IP addresses with subnet mask.........................................................7
Part II...............................................................................................................................................8
1. Propose two organisations which provide cloud services for hosting email and web servers.
Justify the services provided by them.........................................................................................8
2. Outline techniques for utilisation of service virtualisation and implementation of cloud
platforms.....................................................................................................................................9
3. How cloud computing support dynamic scaling of Westpac bank applications...................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Information technology refers to process of development, maintenance and usage of
computer systems, networks, software and hardware (Virtualization techniques in cloud
computing. 2019). 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 : It's short form is LAN which is being considered as a network
which basically connects computers along with the devices which helps in transferring the data
in a small geographical area like home, school, computer laboratory, office building, or closely
positioned group of buildings. Basically, this type of system could only be used by Westpac
within a office. Along with this, it can be said that defining characteristics of LANs, in contrast
to WANs (Wide Area Networks), and basically this consist with higher data transfer rates
connected with leased telecommunication lines. Away with this, current Ethernet or other IEEE
802.3 basically get LAN technologies operate at speeds up to 10 Gbit/s.
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It
It contains a range of characteristics and these are:
 Limited geographical area but the speed stays really very fast than other networks.
 Uses wired & wireless technologies, standards & protocols.
Backbone network
Network backbone can be considered as a network infrastructure which basically
interconnects a range of networks, which directly helps in offering a path considering exchange
of information among various subnetworks or LANs. If it is talked about Westpac, company is
already consist with a backbone network which helps them in connecting among a range of
locations. Since the company is developing a whole new building of 8 floors it's server cluster
needs to be accessed by different departments of a company that are located at different
geographical locations. Along with this, it is being found that a network congestion within a
company like Westpac, consist with a designing backbones.
Along with this, a backbone network is totally different from internet backbone and
basically there are two backbones and these are:
 Bus backbone – This type of backbone can be used and handled by Westpac considering
bus topology along with this, its protocols consist with bus topology which is linked to
10Base2 and it is important for this company because it is already having a good range of
stores in all over the world. For the building with 8 floors, bus backbone will remain very
helpful for the company.
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Star backbone - Star backbone consist with switches, wiring hubs which could be
generated with a backbone and this can be used by Westpac connecting LAN's for the new
building. It also consist with a switch which develops interconnection among various LAN's.
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Along with this, it can be said that both star backbone and bus backbone could be
considered as the types of network segment. In present context, network segmentation can be
defined as a portion of network which is separated from rest of network by a device bridge,
repeater, hub and router which could be used by Westpac.
Hub – It is being considered as a multi-port repeater, hub is basically connects with
multiple wires and a range of branches as well which could be used by Westpac for its building.
Switch – Another crucial tool which could be used by Westpac which consist with data
link layer device. Basically, this helps in checking all the errors before sending any sort of data
within a building, Along with this, tool basically consist with an effective tool that divides the
domain where broadcast domain stays at the same position.
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Illustration 1: Geographical scope
2. Development of logical design diagram based on three layers hierarchy model.
As network can prove to be extremely complex, thus with the help of various multiple
protocols and different types of technology, three-layer hierarchical model is being used by
Westpac bank in order to design a reliable form of networking infrastructure. This model will
effectively benefit them to design, maintain and implement cost-reliable and scalable network
(Anwar and Sani, 2017). There are different types of unique feature consisted by each one of the
layer in this model which holds a unique feature and functionality that will simultaneously help
in reducing network complexity. Mentioned below there is brief description of each model:
Access: This feature within this model effectively helps in controlling user along with accessing
resources of network in best effective way. Access layer effectively helps in incorporating layer
2 switches along with access points which will help in providing appropriate connectivity among
each servers and workstations. This layer helps in managing access policy and access control in
addition with this it also aid in implementing port security and creation of separate collision
domains. With the help of this layer Westpac bank can effectively able to control their user and
can easily access best effective resources of network for their banking functions.
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(Source: Hierarchical network design, 2019)
Distribution: This layer acts a process which serves the process of communication point in
between the core and layer (Math, 2017). Distribution functions primary aim is to provide WAN
access, filtering, provide routing to effectively determine the manner in which packets can able
to access the core. This layer in three-layer model efficiently determines fastest way in which
request of network services can be accessed. For an instance, the manner in which request of a
file is forwarded to server and if there is a necessity, request related to core layer is forwards.
Distribution layer mainly consists multi layer switches along with routers. This layer will
effectively benefit Westpac bank to perform their primary functions of accessing network
services.
Core: This layer of three-layer model is also termed as an strongest network backbone as this
layer is effectively responsible to wide amount of traffic in a quick and fast manner. With the
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Illustration 2: Access Layer

help of this layer Westpac bank can effectively able to control and manage large amount of
traffic within their day-to-day functions which automatically lead them towards effective
functions. By taking help of this layer Westpac bank will effectively able to serve their
customers which will further benefit them to gain effective amount of customer base. This layer
helps in providing effective amount of inter connectivity among distribution of layer devices
which mainly consists switches with redundant links, high speed devices and high end routers.
3. Identification of type of IP addresses with subnet mask.
IP address refers to a number which represents a device with a network card. This is a
binary number but it is written as four decimal number (Donovan, 2016). Basically, it is a 32-bit
number which identify host devices like (printers, computer or router) within TCP/IP network. It
is represented as 192.168.123.132. It is a decimal number and it is written in binary form as
110000000101000111101110000100. They are divided into eight binary digits which are known
as octets. There are different types of networks and accordingly they are divided into five
classes.
Class A: It has maximum 224 nodes and their network address ranges from 1.0.0.0 to 126.0.0.0
in this zero is changed by address of nodes.
Class B: They are smaller networks and have maximum 65000 nodes which ranges from
128.0.0.0 to 191.0.0.0. In this case last two zero are changed by node address.
Class C: They have around 254 nodes in maximum which ranges from 192.0.0.0 to 223.0.0.0.
Class D: They have been reserved for research purpose.
Class E: These IP addresses are reserved for future purpose.
Each IP address have specified purpose through which they carry their operations like multi-
casting and unicast. The last node addresses the broadcast address. Like 192.168.1.0; in this
broadcast address is 192.168.1.255 which is used for transmission to all networks.
IP subnetting refers to process of dividing a IP network into smaller networks. By this large
number of small manageable networks are created from single IP address. Subnetting will
provide better way to technical team of Westpac bank to deal with a situtaion where they have
large number of hosts within single network. If less hosts are used then remaining addresses will
be of no use. This will create small networks by ensuring that all the networks are used by
minimising requirements of host and also other benefits.
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An example can be taken to understand this concept of subnetting. It is done on host end
means from technical department by creating a difference between network and host portion
within IP address. Both subnet mask and IP address gives numerical identity to a system or
interface. Both these addresses are used simultaneously. Bothy have length of 32 bits and they
are being divided into four parts. Each part is referred to octet which comprises of 8 bits. They
are separated from each other by usage of periods like 8 bits.8bits.8bits.8bits. Each individual bit
is assigned to IP address. Like
IP address: 10.10.10.10
Subnet mask: 255.0.0.0
IP address: 172.168.10.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0
Subnet mask depends upon IP address of a class like in case of 172.168.10.1 is class C address
so last two bits signifies host address. Class C address can be used by Westpac bank.
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 (Telenyk and Rolik, 2017). 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
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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
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 (Tischler, 2017). 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.
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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 (Brook, 2018). 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 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 (Roldán Bravo, 2017). 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
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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.
Illustration 3: Automated scaling listener
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 (Buckow, 2016).
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
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.
CONCLUSION
From above, it can be concluded that IT infrastructure plays vital role in success of
organisations like bank, IT companies and many others. As without effective network it would
be difficult for these organisations to carry out their functionalities and for this they need to
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maintain their systems on continuous basis. LAN can be used when services are being provided
with in same building. Furthermore, three layer hierarchical model can be used for designing a
reliable infrastructure. For this they can use IP address for each system which is in network to
provide network services to them by which they can carry out their operations. Apart form this,
Microsoft and Amazon can be taken into consideration as they provide wide range of services
like applications, platform, software, servers and hardware by which organisation can gain
benefits. Virtualisation can be used to have virtual environment in which certain software are
used but they are not physically present. Dynamic scaling is provided by cloud computing in
which organisation can opt for services when they need it and can remove when they do not need
it any more.
REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Roldán Bravo, M.I. and et. al., 2017. Open innovation and quality management: the moderating
role of interorganisational IT infrastructure and complementary learning
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Braojos-Gomez, J., Benitez-Amado, J. and Montes, F.J.L., 2015, March. Impact of IT
Infrastructure on Customer Service Performance: The Role of Micro-IT Capabilities and
Online Customer Engagement. In PACIS (p. 41).
Buckow, K. and et. al., 2016. Changing requirements and resulting needs for IT-infrastructure
for longitudinal research in the neurosciences. Neuroscience research, 102, pp.22-28.
Math, S.P.S. and et. al., 2017. Automatically Discovering Topology Of An Information
Technology (IT) Infrastructure. U.S. Patent Application 15/113,436.
Brook, J. and et. al., 2018. Loom: Complex large-scale visual insight for large hybrid IT
infrastructure management. Future Generation Computer Systems, 80, pp.47-62.
Donovan, J., 2016. Stop Blaming the Technology! Culture and Acceptance of IT infrastructure
in Research Management.
Telenyk, S., Zharikov, E. and Rolik, O., 2017. Architecture and conceptual bases of cloud IT
infrastructure management. In Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing (pp. 41-
62). Springer, Cham.
Borylo, P. and et. al., 2016. Green cloud provisioning throughout cooperation of a wdm wide
area network and a hybrid power it infrastructure. Journal of Grid Computing, 14(1),
pp.127-151.
Li, X. and et. al., 2017. Service reliability modeling and evaluation of active-active cloud data
center based on the IT infrastructure. Microelectronics Reliability, 75, pp.271-282.
Anwar, N., Masrek, M.N. and Sani, M.K.A., 2017. A Systematic Review on the Strategic
Utilization of Information Systems and IT Infrastructure Flexibility. Communications of
the IBIMA.
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Lindörfer, D. and Mansmann, U., 2017. IT Infrastructure of an Oncological Trial Where
Xenografts Inform Individual Second Line Treatment Decision. Studies in health
technology and informatics, 235, pp.226-230.
Tischler, S. and et. al., 2017. Developing and sustaining a practice-based research infrastructure
in a hospital social work department: Why is it important?. Social work in health
care, 56(1), pp.1-12.
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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