Networking Technologies: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Local Area Network

NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
LO1............................................................................................................................................2
P1 Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network types and standards................2
P2 Explain the impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth requirements. 6
M1 Compare common networking principles and how protocols enable the effectiveness
of networked systems.............................................................................................................8
LO2..........................................................................................................................................10
P3 Discuss the operating principles of networking devices and server types......................10
P4 Discuss the interdependence of workstation hardware with relevant networking
software................................................................................................................................11
LO3..........................................................................................................................................12
P5. Design a network system to meet a given specification................................................12
P6. Test and evaluate the design to meet the requirements and analyses user feedback.....13
M3 Install and configure network services and applications...............................................15
D2 Design a maintenance schedule to support the networked system.................................16
M4 Recommend potential enhancements for the networked systems more secure, robust
applications..........................................................................................................................18
LO4..........................................................................................................................................19
P7 Implement a networked system based on a prepared design..........................................19
P8 Document and analyse test results against expected results...........................................24
D3 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions...................25
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................27
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................28

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Types of Network.......................................................................................................3
Figure 2: Protocols used in different network layer...................................................................6
Figure 3: Global Wireless Standards..........................................................................................7
Figure 4: Network design.........................................................................................................12
Figure 5: user’s opinion on network design.............................................................................13
Figure 6: Switch configuration.................................................................................................19
Figure 7: Router configuration.................................................................................................20
Figure 8: Web server configuration.........................................................................................21
Figure 9: DNS configuration....................................................................................................21
Figure 10: User and password on mail server..........................................................................22
Figure 11: FTP configuration...................................................................................................22
Figure 12: IP address on computers.........................................................................................23
Figure 13: Printer configuration...............................................................................................23
Figure 14: Screenshot for the successful ping command.........................................................25
Figure 15: Screenshot for failed ping command......................................................................25

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Different network system.............................................................................................2
Table 2: Different types of networks.........................................................................................3
Table 3: Different types of network topologies.........................................................................4
Table 4: Various Protocols used in networking.........................................................................8
Table 5: Network Maintenance Schedule................................................................................16
Table 6: Changes for network enhancement............................................................................18
Table 7: Network Test results..................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Networking is very effective for any organisation as it is effective in offering communication
in the network. In this present report, different network types, systems, topologies will be
studied along with their benefit and constraints. A LAN network is designed and
implemented for the provided organisation. Various hardware and software devices are used
in the network which will be studied. Different Servers and protocols will be studied in the
present report along with testing principles. The network is tested and the result of the test are
compared with the expected result. Proper maintenance schedule is provided in the network
for enhancing its performance for future requirement.
1

LO1
P1 Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network types and standards.
Network systems
Table 1: Different network system
Network
systems
Peer-to-peer network system Client- server network system
Description In these network, workstation is
connected with each other for
communication and flow of data
without a server for controlling the
operations in the network (O'brien
et al 2017).
Here, the computers in the network
uses a server for controlling and
allocation of resources and data.
Communication and sessions with
clients is complete through server.
Benefit  High performance
 Cost effective
 Cost effective
 Centralized network
management
 Security is high
Constraints  Complex network
management
 Less secure
 Server Dependency is high.
 Performance is low
Image
2

Network types
Figure 1: Types of Network
(Source: https://www.lifewire.com/lans-wans-and-other-area-networks-817376, 2018 )
Table 2: Different types of networks
Network
type
Personal area
network (PAN)
Local Area
Network (LAN)
Wide Area
Network
(WAN)
Metropolitan
Area
Network(MAN)
Descriptio
n
personal devices
of a user are
interconnected
with each other it
forms PAN (Faith
et al 2017).
These network
plan is generally
used for
connecting
computers and
devices over a
small
organization
which is limited
to a group of
buildings,
building or even a
Networking is
done over of
two or more
LANs network
linked together.
Data are
transfer in high
speed using
satellite links or
phone lines.
MAN is larger
in size then
LAN and ranges
over a large
campus, city. It
can be operated
and maintained
by a single
owner.
3

room.
Benefits  Simple
structuring
 cost effective
network
 Instant data
sharing
 High speed
data transfer
 Easy to
establish
 Easy network
management.
 High
scalability
 high
performance
 high speed
networking
 security is
high
Constraint
s
 Security
control
 Bandwidth
limitations
 Network
administrator
is required
 Size is limited
 Hard to
establish
 Costly
 Structural
complexity
arises
 Security is
low
 Hard to
establish
 More
security
feature is
required.
Image
Network topologies
Table 3: Different types of network topologies
Types of
topology
Image Description Benefit Constraints
4