Network Design: Methods and Topologies

NETWORK DESIGN
Sears

Network design
A computer network is a group of systems, hardware and software devices that are connected
together through channels with the aim of exchanging data and resource sharing .Basically for a
computer network to be successful it has to ensure that all the network has been setup to the
requirement needed for communication . It must be able to support the amount of traffic that is
needed to be conveyed across the entire network. Network are basically categorized with
different characteristics. Before any network is implemented it must designed first. In network
design there are various methods that are used to determine the design of any network. This
methods depends on the resources that are available, the network topology to be used and
whether the network to be designed is LAN or WAN. In this project a LAN network is supposed
to be designed using two PCS, two routers, DHCP server and DNS server. Network design
predicts the layout of network devices and their configurations (Bartic et al,2009). There are various
methods that will be used in the designing of the network they include the following.
Hierarchal methodology- This is method that is used to design networks basing on technical
goals. Before using this method a suitable network topology has to be recommended (Chabarek et
al, 2008). This topology must be made up of interrelated components. The method requires
dividing of the network into layers .This means that it is used in designing networks that have
multiple switches and routers. It has layers like the core layer, distribution layer and access layer.
It is mostly used in designing WAN networks. This method also creates room for adding other
network components without interfering with the current network. It has the following pros and
cons.
Cons
 Each layer in this method can be given permission to access information
 It is the best since when one device fails it does not affect the functioning of the network.
 It mostly uses star topology thus network speed is high since there will be no data
collision.
Pros
 It cannot be used in designing small networks that require use of few devices.