Workgroup Computer Network Design

This assignment focuses on designing a workgroup computer network for a small charity organization. It presents three perspectives from different companies, each recommending unique network infrastructure solutions. The first company emphasizes cost-effectiveness, the second highlights Cisco Unified CME as an ideal choice, and the third delves into best practices for network core infrastructure management. The assignment requires students to analyze these perspectives and understand the factors influencing network design decisions.

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Workgroup Computer Network
Student’s Name:
Instructor’s Name:
Date:

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Scenario: A charity organization is planning to shift from standalone computers to an integrated
workgroup network. This goal requires a series of requirements to be fulfilled.
Requirements were gathered from three different organizations that have sound experience in
designing, building and installing networks.
Company 1
Company 1 handles network designing project. They have been in the industry for several years.
They have given the charity organization a simple network layout.
Network Specification:
The project should revolve around industrial network standards. It should have new technologies
and strategies. The workplace can rely on standards based IP network. All these components
should be located within an ICT controlled environment. Few other critical requirements would
be as follows:
1) The company should have a configuration library that allows scalability. Logical and
physical network layouts should be designed. The components must be connected to form
an entire system.
2) There should be connections between storage networks and IP network spaces. Details
about cabinet racking, fiber optic connections and copper RJ-45 cables should be
identified. Details of all devices that make up the system should be identified. This
includes dependencies in the system.
3) The network must have authentication services, SAN storage, secure firewalls and data
feed/links for HR information. Along with all network infrastructure and hardware
details, the following should be mentioned:

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4) Tendering processes and funding sources
5) Required milestones or dates to complete different stages of the network
6) All other considerations of services and projects
The designers should verify if the new workplace network would be under SLA. Details of how
resilience will be guaranteed for the system should be identified. This includes the following
options:
1) Load balancing of multiple servers
2) Availability of multiple services in HA clustered environments
3) Dual attachment of services or servers
4) Business continuity and disaster recovery methods
5) Identification of single point failures (eg authentication faults)
6) Consideration of load requirements, peak period usage of services and anticipated growth
Important Factors to be remembered: While designing the network, details of maintenance
should be covered. The warranties of product or contracts must be tracked. Likewise, engineers
should be aware of how network maintenance requirements would be met.
Company 2
Company 2 has been in the industry for several decades. They have handled many small
workplace projects.
Network Specification:
Company 2 strongly believes that to design a small workplace network system for the charity
organization, engineers must decide on the scale of the network. They should figure out if LAN

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or WAN infrastructure is required. Scale of the network influences other factors. Since the
charity organization is likely to expand, a scalable LAN has to be employed.
The LAN would interconnect various computing resources in the organization. Wireless or
Ethernet with twisted-pair cables can be used for the connection. The network relies strongly on
its physical components.
There are several different types of transmission media to carry data from one device to another.
The organization has to pick from wireless, coaxial cable, optical fiber and twisted-pair cable.
The coaxial and fiber optic cables are very difficult to install but fast.
The organization should invest on routers and network cards. Once the components for the
network are identified, the numerical addressing scheme has to be calibrated. This addressing
scheme helps in routing and identifying recipients effectively. This includes the IP and MAC
address for various devices connected in the system.
Company 3
Company 3 has worked on various Cisco solutions. They have recommended, installed and
maintained Cisco devices in various organizations.
Network Specification:
An experienced organization believes that Cisco Unified CME is an ideal choice for small
charity based networks. This is a cost-effective system that connects devices using Ethernet-
based strategies. The entire office is connected using Ethernet wiring.

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Computers can be connected and plugged in to a virtual LAN. Leading edge productivity and
improved customer IP based applications like XML services can be deployed over this network
infrastructure. A sample network diagram for this organization would be as follows:
Every employee desktop should have Cisco 7960 IP phones to connect with those within the
network and outage. The PCs can be connected to the phone using an Ethernet switch. There is a
single Ethernet cable to connect the PC to the LAN switch too. This cable powers phones.
Since the charity organization is a small one, the LAN switch is sufficient to connect different
computers too. DSLs should be installed for internet connectivity. This can be used to host the
organization’s e-mail services too. The organization is likely to receive foreign calls. Thus, the
network must have PSTN trunks. These trunks are analogous to foreign exchange office
connections.

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An attendant console has to be created. This console can be a Cisco Unified IP Phone 7960. This
device supports up to 34 separate extensions.
Indeed, the organization requires a web-based GUI management station for periodic and daily
activities. In the initial days, regular PCs can be used to take care of GUI management.
Conclusion
Since the organization has less than 100 employees and 500 users, Cisco Unified CME would be
an ideal choice.

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References
Bhaiji, Y. (2007). Network Core Infrastructure Best Practices. Retrieved from
https://www.apricot.net/apricot2009/images/lecture_files/network%20core%20infrastructure%20best
%20practices.pdf
Cisco (nd). Network Infrastructure. Cisco Unified CallManager Express Solution Reference Network
Design Guide. Retrieved from
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucme/srnd/design/guide/cmesrnd/nstrct.pdf
Mattila, A. (2008). Best practices for Network Infrastructure Management – a case study of IT
Infrastructure Library (ITIL). Retrieved from http://lib.tkk.fi/Dipl/2008/urn011929.pdf
Stewart, K., Adams, A., Reid, A, & Lorenz, J. (2008). Designing and Supporting Computer Networks, CCNA
Discovery Learning Guide. Retrieved from http://www.scte.org/documents/pdf/CCNA4%20Sample.pdf