Network Design for University of Maryland University College

Network Design
Student Name:
I. Network Design
A. Network Topology
Technical Requirements
Good network designers have an understanding that productivity and learning experience is
impacted by availability of well-designed IT infrastructure services. The following comprises of
technical requirements for University of Maryland University College School. The university has
leased two - two buildings. This decision was arrived at by the administration in order to offer
spacious learning environment for the students. In addition, the university has a number of research
courses that it offers to within its premises. The shifting of the IT infrastructure should be done in a
manner that will not affect the activities of the campus. Students should also have same experience
they had before when they were in the old building. No down time should be experienced.
Printing services should be available regardless of the physical location of the class rooms of
computer labs. This implies that we are going to have shared printers over the network which will be
used by both students and the faculty staff. MyQ application will be used to manage printing
services. Faculty and students will need access to learning materials. A shared file server will be used
to will be used to perform this task. However, as much as we will be sharing the files, HR’s files will
not be available to students and some faculty staffs due to the biodata sensitivity.
Wireless communication will be required for the students to perform their classwork research. One
building on one side will be required to be in connection with the other building on the other side.
This will be addressed by implementation of WAN technology. To be specific, frame -relay will be
used together with VPN technology to even enable access of resources remotely.
Proposed topology
Network topology denotes to physical layout of computing devices on the floor of a building. In our
network design for University of Maryland University College, we believe that hybrid topology
will be the best option in comparison to other network topologies namely: bus, mesh, ring and star
[1]. In hybrid topology, there exists a mix combination of more than one network topologies. Our
topology will look as below:

Figure 1: Hybrid Network Topology [2]
Justification
Hybrid topology will be our best solution on the basis of the floor design and requirements described
by University of Maryland University College. We will be using a mixture of star, ring and bus
topology. In computer labs star will be used while offices will be using ring topology. Interconnection
from one room to another will be best be suited with bus topology. In bus topology, nodes lie on
straight floor one device connecting to another device until the last node is reached.
Hybrid topology is selected amongst other topologies as it combines the advantages of the
combined topologies. For UMUC, hybrid topology will be of advantage to the institution as it is
reliable, scalable flexible and effective. Our education institution requires fully reliable IT
infrastructure which is offered by hybrid topology.
B. Cables and Connectors
Technical requirements
Cable denotes to the medium via which information travels from one computing device to another.
Our network designers understand that selection of appropriate network cables and connectors will
not only enhance data transfer but also it will minimize during the transit. We understands that
there is a need for devices communicate within the University of Maryland University College. In
fact, the two buildings require to be interconnected in a seamless manner and computer devices
require to be interconnected and should be able to communicate to each other.
Proposed Cables and Connectors

This will be implemented by use of fibre cables from one building to the other building. Cat 6 cable
will be used to connect computer nodes to the switches. The CAT 6 cable will be used to
interconnect computer nodes to the switches. The Cat 6 cables will use Registered Jack 45 (RJ45
cables) whereas the fibre cables will be using SC connector (Standard Connector) that uses a push-
pull latching technique [3].
Justification
Below table justifies cable and connector requirements:
Item
name
Specifications Justification Required
amount
Cost of each
(in USD)
Total
cost
Fibre
cable
Mono mode
fibre cable
with speed of
1000BaseSX
Fibre cable is a high speed cable
that will be used to transfer data
between the two buildings.
20 m 0.69 13.8
STP
cable
Shielded
Twisted Pair
cable Cat 6
with speed of
10, 000Mbps
Cat 6 cable will be used for cable
connection from patch panel
interfaces to the wall patrices
for connection of computer
nodes.
5 boxes
each with
300m
cable
49 245
RJ-45 RJ-45 required to interconnect
the PC and LAN
200 0.05 10
[4]
C. Networking and Internetworking Hardware
Technical requirements
Our network designers team understands that use of latest technological networking devices offers
the best solution to the management and users. University of Maryland University College users
are always happy with a fast and reliable network. On the basis of the management and student
requirements, our choice of hardware devices should be of standard class. Our team believes having
hardware devices that are capable of securing network resources and having network hardware
devices that are able to sustain heavy traffic are the best devices [5].
Proposed Networking and Internetworking Devices
The following are the networking hardware components proposed. We provide the device model,
specifications, and cost per item, required quantity and justification of why the component is
necessary for University of Maryland University College:
Item name Vendor Specifications Cost per
Item
Justifications
Router Cisco Cisco 2900
Integrated
Services Router
618.99 Routers are necessary for
routing of packets from UMUC
to outside world and from the
outside world networks to
UMUC network.
Firewall Cisco Cisco ASA 5510 2,475.00 UMUC management