Physical Network Redesign for FNU University

The assignment content focuses on the selection of technologies and network devices for each campus (LANs) to design a successful network for FNU. It highlights the importance of relating network needs to define cabling types, including Coaxial cable, Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable, Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable, Wireless LANs, and Fibre Optic Cable. The content also emphasizes the implementation of Ethernet technologies, such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and link aggregation to provide best network performance. Additionally, it discusses campus interconnecting devices, including routers, high-end switches, switches, and wireless routers. The assignment also touches on WANs, remote access technologies, and physical network maps. Overall, the content aims to redesign FNU's network to improve its performance, security, and ease of use for students and staff members.

Network Redesign
Overview
The network redesigning is required at The First National University (FNU). FNU is a higher
educational organization for long distance learning. This is the first educational organization
providing online courses in the country. The university runs online training and courses; it requires a
network infrastructure of very high performance to provide Quality of Services to the end users. The
university covers 5 regional campuses and 10 metropolitan campuses and a main campus to run
such a huge educational institute. University offers undergraduates programs and postgraduate
programs through distance learning. Moreover it provides Vocational and Educational Training (VET)
as well as short programs for professionals to increase their skills. FNU teaches 45,000 students at
both undergraduate and postgraduate level for various programs on-campus whereas 15,000
students are studying off-campus for distance education at FNU. To ensure services to be delivered
at all the ends, FNU’s network is designed to divide into 3 facility centres. Firstly, Headquarters,
where main campus is located. Second, Operation i.e. Data Centre which is located 50 km away from
headquarters. At the Operations centre, the technical staff is appointed for managing and
performing IT related tasks required for proper functioning of the network. The third division is the
Backup Facility. Backup facility is located 1000 km away from the main campus. This is because
backup facility is needed only when operation facility breaks down.
As discussed above, due to heavy number of users on the network, it may result in network slow
down. The online submission is the key facility provided by FNU for ease of submission and
evaluation for the students as well as staff members. Due to online submission for both on-campus
and off-campus students, it has been observed quite a few times that the network problems appear
which makes the late submission for most of the students which in turn results in the bad grades.
FNU has no Bring your own device (BYOD) and Work at home (WAT) policies embodied in the
network which is highly needed by the students and staff to make it possible to work from their
own devices. For this purpose, the secure wireless network should be implemented which supports
BYOD and WAT.
There are certain tasks that needs immediate actions in regards to the identified issues above:
1. Scalability for 50% increased enrollment in next three years.
2. Improvements with issues in online assignment submissions.
3. Implementation of bring your own device policy by adhering wireless network in the
campus. This enables the students to work on their own laptops, tablets, notebooks and
smartphones.
4. With WAT it will allow users (students and staff members) to access network facilities from
their homes.
5. Security measures must be taken to safeguard data from the hackers.
6. Providing Quality of Services to the network users both at on-campus and off-campus.
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

Identify Organisation’s Needs and Constraints
Business Goals
FNU is divided into regional and metropolitan campuses that are all similar in size of
infrastructure, staff members and technology. These campuses are all well built with network
and required technologies which serves at its best to the students studying in that campus.
With academic teaching and learning activities both on-campus and off-campus, FNU also has
12 external partners some of them are:
Hospital: FNU deals with providing training to students for hospitals. On the other fair side, FNU
helps hospitals to get their best interns at the optimum search. The hospitals get benefited by
appointing best candidates at their hospitals with limited searching. The university offers all the
medical related courses which help hospitals to get the best suited candidate.
Research Center: FNU may help students by providing current research practices due to its
partnerships with research centers. It benefits students for future reference. On the contrary,
the research centers uses data and statistics from the university to research further about a
particular field of interest. FNU ties up with such research centers to allow them to perform
researches in some areas.
Vendor Support and Technology are other fields FNU have partnerships with which one or the
other way benefits the students learning process. Also, the FNU offers campus interviews for
the students to get placed in various companies which in turn benefit the companies for
selecting best candidates on the basis of their grades.
As per the requirements discussed above for FNU, it becomes very important to identify the
organizations goals to provide best services to the users of the network, be it students, teaching
staff or technical staff. The business goals are as elaborated below:
1. The university is currently having 45,000 students at both undergraduate and postgraduate
level for various programs on-campus whereas 15,000 students are studying off-campus for
distance education. Future goal of university is to expect new enrolments of 50% rise in
upcoming three years. From the business point of view, the FNU is preparing to add new
students both on-campus and off-campus. FNU presumes to increase the students at the
largest possible rate by providing learning in new and currently trending fields.
2. The FNU provides day learning courses for on-campus students. These activities can also be
extended to short training programs to attract more students and get more enrolments on-
campus. Some short training courses should also be undertaken with certification that will
attract more students seeking for on-campus education for limited time period.
3. The off-campus online courses provided by the university are limited to some extents. To
increase the enrolments, it is required to introduce new training courses. With new courses
added in online training or long distance learning it is possible to attract off-campus students
for distance education.
4. As far as partnership related expansion is concerned, the FNU administrative and managerial
staff must communicate with more hospitals, companies and research centres. These
partners extension result in attracting more students. Also it may result in recognition from
various other universities.
5. To provide large number of courses for huge number of students, FNU is aiming to provide
the best network for the users. The current goal is to redesign the university network to
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

provide end to end services without any interruption. Many students using network all the
time must have a heavy load at every moment. FNU aims to use better network policies for
the entire network.
6. Foremost goal of FNU is to increase students and this increase in students will result in
heavy loads at metropolitan campuses. This will result in increased number of regional
campuses for distributing students.
7. University also aims at providing BYOD and WAT policies in the network for more usability in
the network.
Needs of improvements in FNU Network:
1. Since several numbers of students and staff members uses the network, FNU network must
be very good at providing best performance. Right from internet surfing to downloading
files, sending emails and providing high end network performance is the high need of the
network.
2. The business goal of FNU is to increase number of students by 50% in the next three years;
hence it requires a network design which is highly scalable in nature. New PCs at campus
must be added up in the network without much overhead is the basic need of the network
since more number of students is expected to be increasing in upcoming years.
3. The university provides off-campus distance learning and hence must be available at any
time for its distance learners. Moreover, it requires the student’s on-campus to submit their
assignments online; hence availability of network is very important at that part as well.
4. FNU must also provide Bring Your Own Device and Work AT Home policies in the network
for more usability in the network. These policies are highly needed at the university since it
is affecting the usability of the network. Once more and more personal devices can be
connected to the network, it will affect in overall students learning process.
5. FNU needs to implement a secure wireless network which safeguards student’s login
credentials, files, and other important assets. Moreover, it may restrict the intruder getting
into the network by facilitating strict security measures. Authentication will also need once
BYOD and WAT policies discussed above are implemented in the network to filter illegal
activities. The other security measures should also be taken to protect important files in the
server.
Business Constraints in FNU Network
1. Foremost limitation of FNU network is that it does not support bring-your-own-device
(BYOD) which makes it difficult for students to migrate their work from university PCs to
laptops and vice versa. With this limitation students cannot work from their own laptops,
notebooks or tablets.
2. The network does not support work at home (WAT) policy which does not allow users to
access university network from their personal spaces. WAT must be provided by the
university which will help staff members to carry their pending work out from their homes.
3. Another noticeable limitation is that it sometimes fails to upload assignments due to poor
performance which leads in late submission of homework. This eventually results in poor
grades of the students. The load at the deadline of the submission is observed to be very
heavy in the network which results in slow down of the network and hence students are
unable to upload their assignments on time.
The main campus of the university holds large number of users including students and staff. Other
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

campuses like regional and metropolitan campuses are in similar sizes and technology usage. All
those campuses use old complex technologies which are out-dated and results in poor performance
of the network.
Technical Goals
1. Scalability
Scalability can be best defined as the ability of the network to ensure no degradation in
overall network performance even if the network size in increased. Scalability is one of the
most important features a sound network can attain. It is the property of the network to add
devices to its existing cluster in such a manner that new added devices do not collectively
form a load that exceeds the cluster’s collective load to offer adequate performance.
Scalability once attained on the network, provides good quality of services in the network
since it eventually relates to the network performance.
The redesigned FNU network must have this feature so that it can be scaled to support
extended usage of services including multimedia applications. This feature is important in
FNU so as to include online teaching in its training part. FNU must provide scalable network
for further enrolments of the new students both on-campus and off-campus. This features
must be employed everywhere at all the campuses. There are several techniques to attain
scalability these are, Network Load Balancing (NLB), scaling up and scaling out. Network load
balancing is the trustworthy technique that allows the network to assess the load on the
network and balance it to provide better network performance. FNU network needs high
scalability for its goal to enrol 50% of the current strength in next three years.
2. Availability
The organizations with multiple data centres, network availability are a vital concern.
To perform operations daily such as downloading files from server at FNU requires high
need of network availability because users performing daily operations in the network
need the network to be available all the time. Availability is serious when it comes to
disaster planning and recovery. FNU aims at providing a network that is available
approximately 99.9 percent of the time and offers an MTBF (mean-time-between-
failure) of 6000 hours and an MTTR (mean-time-to- repair) of less than 90 minutes.
Network availability with these values can never fail even at the students’ submission
deadlines. As per students complaints about network slow down at the time of
submission, the network with such availability metrics can fulfil their request of
network availability. A key concern FNU’s students and staff is concerned about is
availability of network at their personal spaces so that they can work from home as
well. Implementing WAT in the FNU network is in demand from students and staff of
the network.
3. Network performance
The overall network statistics assessment to define and analyse if the network is
capable of serving quality of services is termed as network performance. It
quantitatively and qualitatively assesses the performance of the computer network
which tells the network administrator to observe, analyse and improve the services
provided by the network. Network performance is measured as:
Bandwidth: metrics for data transfer rate.
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

Throughput: the maximum amount of data transferred at one time in the network.
Delay and latency: The extra time taken by the: data than the stipulated one.
Jitter: the difference in data flow within the network due to congestion.
Data loss: Data drop before its delivery to the recipient.
The above mentioned parameters define the overall network performance of the
network. Any of the parameter is failing to achieve its quality in the network leads to
complete drop of network performance. FNU wants to provide a wireless network
that is privately secured for students, staff members and visitors as well. With many
users on the network, FNU needs to be redesigned to fully satisfy the network
performance. FNU’s network must also have a response time less than a second for
interactive applications. The network administrators must increase the bandwidth of
the Internet connection to support new applications in the network.
4. Security
Security is a key concern in any network even if it is as small as ten computers. FNU’s big
network is under the threat of security breaches. With wireless network, security comes into
picture since wireless network themselves are less secure. Some security measures are
needed to be employed in the network to make it secure. Network security is the act of
safeguarding network data as well as network devices from intruders and malware attacks.
With large number of users and several numbers of devices in the network, security is a key
feature to work on.
FNU’s network must be redesigned to protect the end to end device connections. Moreover,
it is needed to safeguard network from hackers stealing authentication and authorization
rights in the network. To achieve high level of security, network layer of the protocol stack
implements various algorithms, policies and controls which benefits by providing access to
the authorized users in the network while prohibiting false users to enter into the network.
Security not only protects your personal data and login credentials in the network but
ultimately protects your reputation. FNU with so many users at a time needs a concrete
security measures so that no reputation will be threatened.
5. Manageability
A network is said to be manageable if it allows most of its tasks to be automated. The FNU
network is very huge with different and diverse tasks and services within the network.
Manageability is required at the IP support end where there are many tasks to work on
especially regarding network management. If more of the tasks are automated, the network
itself reduces most of the burden from IP support staff. These tasks include:
1. Network Configuration
2. Data Backups
3. Load Balancing
4. Network Management
5. Network Monitoring
6. Troubleshooting
7. Updates
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

The tasks once performed by itself, network is said to be manageable. FNU’s network should
also be redesigned to perform several tasks by its own.
6. Usability
Usability of the network or an application is defined as the ease of access of such
products that helps user to use it by using all its functions with utmost ease. The
network usability is how effortlessly and easily a network user can use the network
without having issues like operational issues or connection issues. The FNU network is
very complex and supports various users’ at a time and hence requires the great
degree of usability. The network and its applications should be so very easy that the
students and staff members must handle it very easily. The applications in the
network includes university website that manages students, their submissions, results
display, etc. Network usability plays an important part when the network or its
applications are difficult to use.
With usability, network administrators can assess the level of difficulty and redesign
its applications for ease of access to its users. FNU’s network must be easy to operate
for the students and staff so as to make it effective in use for them. Students in the
network are very much new to this kind of environment hence usability must be
achieved by the network for making it easier to use it. Usability in the network can be
accomplished by first analysing which areas are difficult in use and hence redesigning
it may help in attaining usability.
7. Adaptability
The network is said to be adaptable of small changes done in the network that does not
affect the overall performance. The FNU’s network is currently using wired services but now
FNU’s administrators are planning to provide wireless services provisions to students and
staff members. The new network must be designed with wireless provisions and hence it
must be adaptable to new changes in the network. The network adaptability is the ability of
the network to respond positively to the change and hence fit into the new circumstances.
Repair the IP addressing scheme of the old network since the network is planned to migrate
to the wireless technology.
FNU network is requires all its users to use bring your own device policy in which personal
devices of the students can also be connected into the network without any difficulty or
connection issues. Availability of network will allow its students to connect their personal
devices with utmost ease. Moreover, FNU is planning to implement the WAT policy in which
the university network will be available all over the globe so as to help its staff to work at
home. In order to make these two policies implemented in the network, FNU needs to
implement a network with high availability.
8. Affordability
With implementation of security, usability, availability and other technical goals in the network, it
becomes very difficult for the network administrators to keep the network affordable. With the
security concerns, the new devices and software needs to be employed in the network. These devices
are somewhat costly and may vary in price when you need it again in next few years. To make a
network available and usable, it also requires a good sum of amount. Moreover, to make it
manageable is a hectic task since it is available, usable and secure. Managing a huge network is also
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

not easy to cope up with. FNU’s network must be affordable in cost since its new requirements are
very high. Some important concerns affecting affordability of the network are as given below:
1. Adding new wireless devices in the network may lead to extra investments.
2. With the employment of new security features, the network needs to add new supporting
technologies and network security software to accomplish the new requirements related to
security concerns.
Wireless technology is more prone to security threats and hence new QoS support is needed to be employed
in the network.
EXISTING NETWORK
This section briefly describes the current infrastructure implemented at all the campuses in the
university. As stated before, all the regional and metropolitan campuses are using the same size of
network, devices and staff. Following are the hardware specifications currently used at all university
sites.
Hardware at Metro and Regional campuses
 Computer Labs: 10, 24 PCs each with Windows OS and a printer
 Staff PCs: Windows 7 (dual monitors), headsets and webcams.
 Networked Printers: 4 in each faculty.
 Local Network Storage: 1
 Switched Ethernet: 100Base-Tx
Hardware at main campus
 Computer Labs: 50, 24 PCs each with Windows 10 OS and a printer
 Staff PCs: Windows 10 (dual monitors), headsets, webcams and VoIP video phones.
 Networked Printers: 20 capable of scanning and photocopying.
 Local Network Storage: 1
 Switched Ethernet: 100Base-Tx
Hardware at Operations site
 Servers: Windows and Linux Servers capable of operations like mail, DNS, DHCP, web,
authentication, domain controlling, SAN, database, load balancing, blackboard and video
streaming. The servers at operations site also support FNU’s online learning management
and students’ information management. It also handles ERP services.
 Staff PCs: Windows 8 OS.
Hardware at Backup site
The backup site comes into picture immediately if the operations site fails. It has the same
infrastructure as a backup site and deals with backing up all the data from operations site
periodically. The backup site is far away from the main campus and requires same hardware as
operations site. Once the failure in the network or break down in detected, the backup site loads
all the data from its servers to the operations site with few minutes to revive the network. The
services provided by the operations site are all mirrored by backup site. The backup site is barely
used site but it is of great importance if operations site fails. It helps in recovering the network
data.
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

Current Wide Area Networks at FNU
Figure 1 Block Diagram of Current WAN at FNU
As shown in above diagram, FNU has 5 sites connected in mesh topology with Virtual Private
LANs (VPLS) using point-to-point connection. Mesh topology ensures redundancy between
operations site, backup site and main campus. The operations site stores data of the
network. There are 5 regional and 10 metropolitan campuses each of which are connected
to main campus, operations site and backup site via Frame Relay permanent virtual circuits
(PVC).
Main, Metro and Regional Campus Network at FNU
Each network device at main campus is connected through the 100Base-TX Switched Ethernet LANs
but since the network improvements are decided to be made, modern switched Ethernets are
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

planned to be added in place of 100Base-TX Switched Ethernet LANs. Staff members at FNU are
divided as:
Regional and Metro Campuses (250 staff)
Approximate Number of students 2,000
Administrative Staff 50
Academic Staff 150
Management Staff 50
Main Campus (2000 staff)
Approximate Number of students 15,000
Administrative Staff 500
Academic Staff 1,000
Management Staff 500
Operations and Backup Site Network at FNU
Site name #Staff Operations
Operations Site 100 Engineers 1. Technical support of data center
2. Networking
3. Maintenance
4. Application Development
Backup Site 100 Engineers
The Operations facility and backup facility is also supported by 100Base-TX Switched Ethernet
LANs.
Functions of each staff members are distinct and important at FNU. Academic staff at all the
campuses is responsible for teaching different courses on campus. There are 7 main faculties at
FNU including business, mathematics, health science, social science, computer science,
humanities and physical science. Administrative staff looks up the admission process of new
students, manages students’ records and handles all the administrative tasks related to FNU and
its students. Management Staff includes information technology to handle all the IT related work
related to network and web application, human resources and senior management deals with
recruitment of staff. In last 3 years the students’ enrollment at FNU has tripled in number and the
staff members are increased at double rate.
The details of IT infrastructure are as follows:
1. Every campus building is equipped with high-end core switch.
2. Every floor in every building contains 24-port Ethernet switch that connects the students
and staff PCs. Each of these switches is in turn connected to the high-end core switch.
3. Floor switches follows IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Protocol. These are 100Base-TX
layer-2 switches
4. The network is assigned with IP address 192.168.0.0 with the devices having same
broadcast domain except the public servers.
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

5. The server located at the operations facility is DHCP server for the FNU’s network. IP
addressing is done with DHCP.
6. The DHCP server runs the Windows-based network management software package
which monitors the switches by using SNMP and RMON.
7. Email, Web and DNS servers are also located at operations facility.
8. Multiservice Platform router has a default route to WAN which does not run a routing
protocol. This router is a NAT-Firewall for the network.
Local file storage is offered at each campus from where data backup is taken at regular interval to
the data servers at operations facility.
Network Infrastructure Issues
The issues related to the old WAN at FNU are as follows:
1. Academic board of FNU identified that the business process of the university highly
depends on the amalgamation of systems and services. This process is very complex and
hence it makes a major issue in the network. This concern to the overall growth of the
FNU.
2. The senior executive addressed another issue with FNU network that the university
spends a good sum of amount to build and maintain those systems that are less critical
while ignoring those services that are important to focus on. It suggests that the FNU must
focus on improving the learning and teaching quality in the cost-effective manner. So that
most of the students with economic issues can also get to learn from FNU.
3. The FNU fails at providing best services to its users hence; it should focus on improving
current network infrastructures and migrate towards modern devices and technologies to
guarantee fewer problems in the network. The possible solution to this issue can be aimed
at migrating all its services and applications to the cloud.
4. The current network at FNU is preferably secured but its improvements towards wireless
services may bring lots of security concerns. With this, new authentication and
authorization schemes will be needed to be employed for blocking the internal and
external network attacks. The hackers at the internal level can hack all the important files
at files server and may spread virus within the network which might then be difficult to
cope up.
FNU is not using any measure for disaster recovery other than backing up its data to operations and
backup facility sites. More focus should be made on prevention of such disaster or breakdown of
network. FNU network must be redesigned to employ new security schemes suitable for wireless
network so that new students or staff devices in the network may not create any havoc in the
network.
Network Traffic Analysis
Network Traffic Flow
The FNU network uses following application and enterprise services running at all the
campuses.
Application / Service Description Users Traffic Flow
Academic and students
work
Students perform their relevant
task such as writing assignments
and codes (students from
Students and
academic staff
End PC to Data
server
Data Server to
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

computer science faculty) and
saving them at data servers in the
network for further use. Students
use the printing facility to print
their documents within the
campus. Also academic staff uses
the application for saving their
documents and printing them.
Printers
Email Service using SMTP Email service is used at high level
by all the users of the network by
using MS Outlook Desktop.
Students and
University staff
Between end PCs
and Email Server
Web services
(HTTP and HTTPS)
Web services are used by all the
users to surf internet and access
online information.
Students and
University staff
End PCs to Web
Servers and vice
versa
Online Library Main library of FNU is located at
headquarters but regional and
metro campuses also have small
library facility which lets
students’ and staff to access
online library.
Students and
University staff
End PC to Data
servers
Higher Performance
Computing
Higher Performance Computing is
located at operations site which is
used mainly by nation’s research
centers
Students,
staff and
external
partners
End PCs to
Data servers
Distance Learning All the seven faculties offer online
learning for distance students via
online sessions that uses video
streaming.
Students and
Academic staff
End PCs to web
servers and
data servers at
FNU
Moodle Management of learning
Resources offered to the students
off-campus
Students and
Academic staff
End PCs to web
servers and data
servers at FNU
ERP Human Resource Management
and SAP Enterprise Resource
Planning
Administrative
and Management
staff
Staff PCs to Data
Servers and vice
versa
Student Information
System
The University administration staff
uses this system to keep track of
class registrations, enrolments
and student records.
Administrative
and academic
staff
Staff PCs to
Data Servers
and vice versa
Data Analytics Business intelligence Platform to
find, explore, and share data-
driven insights within FNU.
University
Senior
Management
Staff PCs to
Data Servers
and vice versa
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

GoogleDocs Online word processor to create
and format documents and work
collaboratively.
University staff Staff PCs to
Google Wen
servers and vice
versa
Office 365 To access Microsoft Office apps on
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android,
and Windows mobile. It also
provides webmail and social
networking services via the
Exchange Server
Students and
University staff
Staff PCs to
Email Server
and vice versa
Adobe Creative Cloud To access Adobe apps including
Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
and Premiere Pro.
Students and
University staff
End PC to
Application
Server and vice
versa
Academic Information
Management System
Academic workflow support Academic staff End PC to
Application
Server and vice
versa
Video Conferencing
System
For Online meetings. Each campus
has at least two virtual rooms fully
configured.
Students and
University staff
End PC to
Application
Server and vice
versa
Laboratory Software All computer labs are equipped
with Microsoft Office and a wide
range of software development
tools (both proprietary and open
source)
Students and
University staff
End PC to
Application
Server & data
server and vice
versa
Protocols and Quality of Service Requirements
Protocols for routing and switching aren’t used in the current FNU network. In wireless services the
MPLS and OSPF network is very highly recommended as described in detail in next section. The QoS
support required in the network are discussed below:
The network in its initial years was simpler than today’s network. IP telephony, Audio video
streaming are some more complicated and crucial part of today’s network traffic and the time
effective delivery of service without data loss has become more important today. Hence four above
mentioned pillars are highly needed to support Quality of service in today’s heterogeneous network.
The merits of all four pillars are described as below:
1. Packet Classification: It ensures classification of packets at router and differentiates them to the
different classes of traffic. Packet classification is extremely important task of the network. Switches
in network use packet classification to select the packet paths instead of de-multiplexing. It helps
switches to classify packets and enroute them very efficiently rather than any other technique.
Packet classification ensures fast delivery of packet by saving overhead time. Also router in the
network which sends packets over Multiprotocol Label Switching tunnels makes a good use of
classification to save time.
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

2. Isolation: To ensure Quality of Service in the heterogeneous network, all the resources must be
dedicated to the desired operation in the network. For example, the bandwidth, links and buffers
must be isolated for one transfer operation and same resources should not be allocated to another
operation in the network.
3. High Resource Utilization: Another pillar for supporting Quality of Service in network is allocation
of resources in such a way that it does not affect negatively by another misbehaving flow. This
ensures degree of isolation between flows of packet in such a way that it doesn’t affect the other
traffic flow. This allows using resources of the network efficiently and in optimum manner. Consider
at an instance, if non-sharable fixed bandwidth is allocated for the flow may get wasted if not in use
currently. Hence the merit of this pillar may sometimes prove to be non-beneficial.
4. Call admission: When isolation of resources sometimes causes unavailability of sufficient
resources for another task in the network, the concept of call admission comes into a picture and
proves to be very beneficial. In call admission, the flows declare their requirements of resources to
achieve Quality of Service. On the basis of their requirements, the flow is then admitted to the
network if it can satisfy the requirements declared. Otherwise, the flow id blocked till the sufficient
resources are free. Call admission controls and regulates the traffic flow in the network to ensure
that the current flow is attaining quality delivery without compromising the QoS of the existing
flows. Call admission process is highly beneficial where the traffic contains audio/video data. This
process ensures quality delivery of audio and video in wireless communication and IP telephony. It
first checks the network environment and then decides if this traffic flow will get delivered without
sacrificing QoS levels. On this basis, the traffic is either blocked or allowed to pass through the
network.
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

Logical Network Redesign
Network Topology Design
Figure 2 Logical Network with core, distribution and access layers
The logical design above shows the division of all the devices in the FNU network at all the layers
namely, core, distribution and access layer. All the network devices in the FNU network are
supposed to be connected in the depicted way for gaining benefits of all the services. Redesign of
the network is essential to make it usable for all the users in effective way.
Core Layer:
Core layer contains WAN routers to provide the internet facilities in the network. These routers need
to follow OSPF routing schemes for effective routing process in the network. The Core Routers also
have the Firewall protocols and will act as the main security of the campus. The Firewall will filter
everything that goes and out of the campus and will have a strict rules implemented.
Distribution Layer:
Distribution layer contains high end switches that are connected to the core layer routers which in
turn are connected to the access layer switches at each site. These switches can be extendable if
more campuses are established in upcoming years. The switches are employed to follow MPLS
switching scheme which will be beneficial in overall switching process in the network. Each of these
distribution switches provides internet access to all the PCs and devices at each site.
Access Layer:
The access layer contains end user PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones and notebooks. The switches
are installed at each floor to connect all the devices wirelessly as well as wired connections for PCs in
the laboratories and staff desk.
IP Addressing Scheme Design
For this proposal, the proposed private network is 172.16.0.0/12 and is sub netted using CIDR in
order to save IP addresses for future expansion. One of the requirements of FNU is that the IP
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

addresses on each campus is capable in handling future network expansion which resulted in
doubling the needed allocated size in each campus.
SUBNET
NAME
NEEDED
SIZE
ALLOCATED
SIZE
IP ADDRESS MASK DEC MASK ASSIGNABLE
RANGE
BROADCAST
Main
Campus
17,000 32,766 172.16.0.0 /17 255.255.128.0 172.16.0.1 –
172.16.127.254
172.16.127.255
Metropolita
n Campus 1
2,250 4094 172.16.128.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.16.128.1 –
172.16.143.254
172.16.143.255
Metropolita
n Campus 2
2,250 4094 172.16.144.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.16.144.1 –
172.16.159.254
172.16.159.255
Metropolita
n Campus 3
2,250 4094 172.16.160.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.16.160.1 –
172.16.175.254
172.16.175.255
Metropolita
n Campus 4
2,250 4094 172.16.176.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.16.176.1 –
172.16.191.254
172.16.191.255
Metropolita
n Campus 5
2,250 4094 172.16.192.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.16.192.1 –
172.16.207.254
172.16.207.255
Metropolita
n Campus 6
2,250 4094 172.16.208.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.16.208.1 –
172.16.223.254
172.16.223.255
Metropolita
n Campus 7
2,250 4094 172.16.224.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.16.224.1 –
172.16.239.254
172.16.239.255
Metropolita
n Campus 8
2,250 4094 172.16.240.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.16.240.1 –
172.16.255.254
172.16.255.255
Metropolita
n Campus 9
2,250 4094 172.17.0.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.17.0.1 –
172.17.15.254
172.17.15.255
Metropolita
n Campus
10
2,250 4094 172.17.16.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.17.16.1 –
172.17.31.254
172.17.31.255
Regional
Campus 1
2,250 4094 172.17.32.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.17.32.1 –
172.17.47.254
172.17.47.255
Regional
Campus 2
2,250 4094 172.17.48.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.17.48.1 –
172.17.63.254
172.17.63.255
Regional
Campus 3
2,250 4094 172.17.64.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.17.64.1 –
172.17.79.254
172.17.79.255
Regional
Campus 4
2,250 4094 172.17.80.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.17.80.1 –
172.17.95.254
172.17.95.255
Regional
Campus 5
2,250 4094 172.17.96.0 /20 255.255.240.0 172.17.96.1 –
172.17.111.254
172.17.111.255
Operation
Facility
100 254 172.17.112.0 /24 255.255.255.0 172.17.112.1 –
172.17.112.254
172.17.112.255
VLANs
Each campus has the following departments; Faculty, Academic, Administration, Management, and
Student for BYOD. Each department has its own VLAN for several reasons (security, bandwidth,
smaller broadcast domain etc.). It is going to be shown how the major network will be divided to
VLANs.
We take into consideration that in the regional and metropolitan campus have:
VLAN NAME NEEDED
SIZE
ALLOCATED
SIZE
IP ADDRESS MASK DEC MASK ASSIGNABLE
RANGE
BROADCAST
Student - 2000 2046 172.16.128.0 /21 255.255.248.0 172.16.128.1 – 172.16.135.255
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

BYOD 172.16.135.254
Academic 180 254 172.16.136.0 /24 255.255.255.0 172.16.136.1 –
172.16.136.254
172.16.136.255
Administratio
n
50 62 172.16.137.0 /26 255.255.255.19
2
172.16.137.1 –
172.16.137.62
172.16.137.63
Management 50 62 172.16.137.64 /26 255.255.255.19
2
172.16.137.65 –
172.16.137.126
172.16.137.127
Lab 1 25 30 172.16.137.128 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.137.129 –
172.16.137.152
172.16.137.153
Lab 2 25 30 172.16.137.160 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.137.161 –
172.16.137.190
172.16.137.191
Lab 3 25 30 172.16.137.192 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.137.193 –
172.16.137.222
172.16.137.223
Lab 4 25 30 172.16.137.224 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.138.225 –
172.16.137.254
172.16.137.255
Lab 5 25 30 172.16.138.0 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.138.1 –
172.16.138.30
172.16.138.31
Lab 6 25 30 172.16.138.32 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.138.33 –
172.16.138.62
172.16.138.63
Lab 7 25 30 172.16.138.64 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.138.65 –
172.16.138.94
172.16.138.95
Lab 8 25 30 172.16.138.96 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.138.97 –
172.16.138.126
172.16.138.127
Lab 9 25 30 172.16.138.128 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.138.129 –
172.16.138.158
172.16.138.159
Lab 10 25 30 172.16.138.160 /27 255.255.255.22
4
172.16.138.161 –
172.16.138.190
172.16.138.191
NAS 1 2 172.16.139.92 /30 255.255.255.25
2
172.16.138.193 –
172.16.138.194
172.193.195
 4 network laser printers in each faculty (which have 7 faculties), in total 28 network laser
printer
 10 computer labs that have 24 PCs each and 1 printer
 1 NAS for local storage
The major network is: 172.16.128.0/20. Regarding the rest network branches, we will do VLSM with
the same logic.
Operation and Backup Facility
Since the Operation Facility operates the DMZ and the Backup Facility acts as the failover of
Operation in case Operation Facility doesn’t function. Operation and Backup Facility will have the
same network setup.
Operation Facility network: 172.17.112.0/24
VLAN Name IP
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

Firewall Access Control Lists
Rule No. Transport Source IP Source
Port
Dest. IP Dest. Port Action
1 TCP Any Any Web Server
IP
80,8081,
443
Allow
2 TCP Web Server IP 80,8081,
443
Any Any Allow
3 TCP Any Any SMTP Server
IP
143 Allow
4 TCP SMTP Server
IP
143 Any Any Allow
5 TCP/UDP Any Any 172.16.139.92
(DNS)
Allow
6 TCP/UDP 172.16.139.92
(DNS)
Any Any Allow
7 TCP/UDP 172.16.136.0/
24
Any Video
Streaming
Server IP
Any Allow
8 TCP/UDP Video
Streaming
Server IP
Any 172.16.136.0
/24
Any Allow
9 TCP/UDP 172.16.137.0/
26
Any Video
Streaming
Server IP
Any Allow
10 TCP/UDP Video
Streaming
Server IP
Any 172.16.137.0
/24
Any Allow
11 TCP/UDP 172.16.138.0/
26
Any Video
Streaming
Server IP
Any Allow
12 TCP/UDP Video
Streaming
Server IP
Any 172.16.137.0
/24
Any Allow
13 TCP Any Any DHCP Server
IP
67 Allow
14 TCP DHCP Server
IP
67 Any Any Allow
15 TCP/UDP Any Any Any Any Deny
Switching Protocols and Routing Protocols for FNU
Routing Protocols:
MPLS Switching Protocol:
In order to speed up and shape network traffic flow, Multiprotocol Label Switching protocol is used.
It allows most packets to be forwarded at Layer 2 before it is passed to Layer 3 i.e. at routing level. In
this protocol, layer 2 of ISO model performs forwarding of packets in the network. The switches in
the network are intended to perform this activity. These switches read the labels and forward the
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

packets on the predefined path. These paths are termed as label-switched paths (LSPs). In order to
improve QoS in the network, MPLS plays a pivotal role. This type of switching is very useful where
time-critical applications are in demand such as online video training where data needs to be
forwarded in greater speed. FNU’s network is very huge and needs this type of switching to reduce
time required for the packets
Open Shortest Path First for routing:
Routers using Internet Protocol (IP) uses OSPF for finding shortest and best path for routing packets
in the network. OSPF is designed to help routers decide which path is best for the packets to reach
to the destination. When there are autonomous network containing several networks inside of
them, OSPF has a great importance. RIP, the widely used routing protocol is now replaced by the
OSPF protocol. Automatic updating of routing table also takes place when using OSPF since it helps
router learn the bets and shortest path even when the network configuration is changed. OSPF
immediately detects the change in the network which in turn helps routers to find the shortest path
without many efforts. In RIP, the routers sends entire routing table to its neighbour routers in every
30 seconds. OSPF sends only the part of data that has changed. FNU’s network is huge in size where
there is several number of devices connected.
External Border Gateway Protocol
Network Management Strategies
Network management for FNU is a hectic task since it is a complex network. Some important things
to work around in order to achieve best network performance are as follows:
1. Since FNU is a complex network, best technologies should be chosen so as to minimize the
risk of network failure. Not all the strategies can be implemented but the critically required
strategies can be implemented to save the network. Some tools and software applications
can be employed to make the network more secure for all its users.
2. It is very important to discover the best network topology for such a huge network. But to
choose wisely, the network must be studied well to redesign the good network topology.
When network topology is discovered correctly half of the problems are solved related to
the network.
3. Configuration management is another strategy to improve the efficiency of the network.
This helps in process automation that saves university’s resources and time. This
management is helpful in finding changes in the network that will in turn save lot of time in
finding the problems (if any) due to network change.
4. Application Performance monitoring is another network management strategy to work on.
This improves the quality of experience for the users in the network.
All the tools and strategies if implemented in the network can make network much more usable and
smooth in functioning. It is possible to implement all these strategies at certain extent for the better
network performance. FNU’s network has to be implemented with most of these network strategies
in order to give best user experience since it allows many online services to its students.
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

Physical Network Redesign
Selection of Technologies and Network Devices for each Campus (LANs)
LAN cabling
In order to transfer information through one network device to another, cables are required in the
network. Different types of cables are available that can be used in LANs depending on the type of
network, network topology, size of network and protocol used in the network. To design a successful
network, it becomes very important to relate to the network needs so as to define the cabling type
for the network. Following are the types of cables:
1. Coaxial cable
2. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable
3. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
4. Wireless LANs
5. Fibre Optic Cable
For FNU’s new network design, the switched Ethernet is expected to implement in the new network
where LAN cables will only set up at campus where end to end point connections are required like,
1. Router to high end switch
2. Switch to other switches on each floor
3. Each switch on the floor to end PCs in labs and staff desks
LAN Technologies
LAN technologies implements Ethernet technologies in a campus network. It can be used in different
combinations as below:
1. At the access layer, an Ethernet of 10 Mbps speed can be used to provide satisfactory
performance in the network for most users. Along with it, a Fast Ethernet can be installed
for clients and servers consuming heavy data.
2. Gigabit Ethernet is the best option to provide link between access layer and network
devices. In addition, the supporting segments or clusters can be attached through Ethernet.
3. In order to connect servers’ at large campuses to offer client-server architecture, Fast
Ethernet of Gigabit Ethernet creates a good solution. With Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernets
can be used to avoid slowness in the network.
4. The distribution layer and core layer can be connected through the Gigabit Ethernets
because each of these layers supports dual links. To balance load this change must be
adapted.
5. Gigabit Ethernet should be used between switches and the backbone for fast transfer of
data between backbone switches.
FNU’s network is huge and complex hence rather than using same type of cables or Ethernet
technologies, the combination of LAN technologies may help in providing best network
performance.
Campus interconnecting Devices
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

FNU network is very large since it contains several staff members, students and other management
staff at each site. Hence the interconnection of devices at each site should be properly done to offer
best services to its users.
The devices used will be:
1. Routers
2. High –end Switches
3. Switches
4. Wireless Routers
Selection of Technologies and Devices Campus Wide (WANs)
The devices selection is very important when it comes to huge network like FNU. Hence the good
quality devices that can be scaled up to several users in future should be selected and deployed. The
switched Ethernet for LAN and MPLS and OSPF protocols are selected for FNU’s new network.
Moreover, the application must also be redesigned to employ more security to the applications so as
to avoid data leak and theft even if the hacker is inside of the network. Data centres must be
protected by saving all the data in cipher text by employing more rigid security plans. These all
security measures should be employed at all the sites including regional, metro, headquarters,
operations and backup sites.
Remote Access Technologies
For Remote access, students learning online need a high performance network that can provide best
quality services to the distance users. On the whole when a student is enrolled for online training, he
expects the online training should be uninterrupted to get the full benefit of admission to that
course. The online training involves using VoIP and conferencing techniques. By applying MPLS in the
network, FNU’s network will always be ready to use for online training without any interruption.
Since MPLS reduces time for the packet to move from one end to another.
Some technologies that FNU should adopt for remote access:
1. IPsec VPN
2. SSL VPN
3. Friendly Net Detection
4. VPN Path Finder
5. Seamless Roaming
6. Network Access Control
7. High Availability Services
8. Overlapping Networks
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.

Physical Network Map
Figure 4 Legend for Physical Topology
Conclusion
FNU network is a huge and complex network that is currently being used with some problems
regarding network performance and ease of use. The current network needs some improvements to
provide full benefits of internet to its students and staff members. Along with on-campus
infrastructure improvements, there is a great need of improvements in technologies for off-campus
students. FNU is heavily growing university with high increase of students every year. This led the
management personnel to think over its redesign. The redesign of the network is expected to have
wireless access to student and staff personal devices such as laptops, tablets, notebooks and
smartphones. The network must also implement security measures to block unauthorised user
access. Moreover BYOD and WAT policies are also in focus when migrating to the new redesigned
network. The proposed design according to the requirements of FNU is all kept in vision while
designing the new network structure. This design is better than the old network structure and design
which will benefit the university in all aspects.
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.
Figure 3 Physical Network Map for FNU

References
Cisco. (2015). Open Shortest Path First. Retrieved from Cisco:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/ios-nx-os-software/open-shortest-path-first-
ospf/index.html
Orbitco. (2015, November 9). What is eBGP? Explained with Examples. Retrieved from orbit
computer solution: http://www.orbit-computer-solutions.com/understanding-external-
border-gateway-protocol-ebgp/
Weinberg, N., & Johnson, J. (2018, March 16). MPLS explained. Retrieved from NetworkWorld:
https://www.networkworld.com/article/2297171/sd-wan/network-security-mpls-
explained.html
Oppenheimer, P., 2004. Top-down network design. Cisco Press.
Networks and Information Security Case study - Copyright © Edilson Arenas – CQUniversity
*Template adapted from Oppenheimer, P. (2011). Top-Down Network Design (3rd Edition). Indianapolis, In: Cisco Press.