Catacomb Network Requirements Analysis

The assignment requires Catacomb to increase bandwidth in 47 offices and data centers across US cities like San Diego, Baltimore, Kansas City, Dallas, and Chicago. The company wants to improve efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction without increasing costs on ISDN services. It also needs reliable and secure networks for planned growth and unexpected demands. Solutions proposed include upgrading Gigabit Ethernet to Full Duplex Mode (FDM), using LTE, satellite microwave connection, and VoIP telephony. A converged solution combining these technologies is recommended, with a cost-benefit analysis indicating that WiMAX may be the most cost-effective option.

Requirement Analysis
Given below are the requirement analyses for Catacomb:
1. The bandwidth is needed to be increased in the 47 offices and the data centre of US.
2. The coordination is required among the 4-8 catacombs in the metro areas such as San
Diego, Baltimore, Kansas City, Dallas and Chicago.
3. The presence of reliable and secure network is required for the accommodation of the
planned growth and the unexpected ones.
4. The company is not willing to increase the cost incurred on the telephone services.
However, the company wants to upgrade the services while keeping the costs from
ISDN low.
5. The company wants to improve the efficiency and productivity and the capabilities
and services are desired. This is expected to incorporate technological solutions for
the improvement in the customer satisfaction.
6. Additional requirement of the company is monitoring and management of data and
voice services. Moreover, the capacity is ensured and use is appropriate as per the
business needs.
Technology Solution
1. The upgrading of Gigabit Ethernet is required to into Full Duplex Mode (FDM) to
ensure that bandwidth increases among the multiple offices and the data centre. With the use
of FDM of Gigabit Ethernet, the collision is less likely. This will lead to the improvement in
the speed of the internet access. Moreover, bandwidth will increase to the required
performance level. It will also ensure the removal of any type of blockages.

2. Catacomb can utilize LTE (Long Term Evolution). LTE uses “combination of
frequency division multiplexing and time division multiplexing on the downstream channel.
It is called as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing). This helps ensure that
the various metro areas will have around four to eight Catacomb locations for the
coordination. The implementation of satellite microwave connection can be done for the
connection of five cities. The use of satellite connection is important to be used. The reason is
that it is nearly impractical to layout ground cables for the linkage around the cities. The
satellite microwave signals have greater travel distance and in can cover greater areas. The
satellite receives signal from one station in a city and relays it to another far off distance.
The image given below shows the satellite microwave connection that can be
facilitated as discussed in the solution:
3. The achievement of the reliable and secure network can be achieved with the use of
Gigabit Ethernet, WIMAX technologies and the Satellite Microwave.

4. The switching to VoIP telephony services is one such solution which can help the
Catacomb fulfil the requirement of upgrading the services without increasing the cost on such
elements. VoIP helps in making phone calls with the use of the internet. Moreover, due to the
presence of the internet with the Catacomb, it does not have to engage in the purchase
of the telephone hardware. The company can utilize the existing infrastructure available to
make the call on the same time reducing the cost on the call bills.
5. The increase in the efficiency and the productivity is an important aspect for the
growing company like Catacomb. The technologies that have been mentioned earlier are
bound to support the company in achieve the stated goal. The technologies like VoIP will
help the company reduce the bills and in the same time achieving the efficiency as required.
Converged Solution
1. Gigabit helps get the increased bandwidth and improved file sharing capability. It
also helps in increasing the productivity of the employees. This is done by increase the speed
of the database access and message applications. The Gigabit’s compatibility with the current
network is fine and, therefore, new wiring is not required. It can use the networking standards
and provide efficient solution. The implementation of Gigabit network requires devices such
as NAS box, motherboards, network card and appropriate drivers. The current mechanism
need to be updated to the new network level.
2. WiMAX helps in getting the broadband connectivity without any need of base
station at the direct sight. The data rate is also 280 Mbps from each station. This can be
considered more than enough for supporting the multiple businesses. The transmitter acts as
the GSM tower which covers the areas as required. The maximum radius generally is 50 Km
(more than required of five cities).

Cost-benefit Analysis
1. The implementation cost of Gigabit in comparison to the other network is high.
However, the speed provided and productivity available is far greater in comparison to the
other networks which are a beneficial aspect.
2. Installing and maintaining the WiMAX and the Satellite Microwave connection for
the cities might not be considered as high in comparison to the DSL and 3G plans. The
benefits that can be derived from the WiMAX are of low cost and provide flexibility. This
can be developed at minimum cost possible. It requires setup of few base locations that can
cover all the required cities. Moreover, there will be no adverse impact on them of the poor
weather conditions as direct line is not required. WiMAX can be chosen technology for the
Catacomb as it is low cost, less disruptive, and has the facility for fixed and mobile
applications.
3. VoIP has some roadblocks as it requires DSL broadband like 3G which are costly
References
Dr. Kaufman, C. (2008). The Benefits of Business VoIP. Retrieved August 4, 2011, from
TeleData Web site:http://www.teledata.com.
FRC Corp. (n.d.). WIMAX. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from FRC Corporation Web
site:http://www.frccorp.com/WiMAXOverview.pdf
Pacchiano, R. (2006, December 13). Boost Your Bandwidth, Boost your Network
Performance. Retrieved August 4, 2011, from Small Business Computing Web
site: http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

White, M. C. (2011). Conducted and Wireless Media. In M. C. White, Data Communications
and Computer Networks (p. 85). Course Technology Cengage Learning.