Assessment 4: Network Design Principles and Models

This report explores network design principles, focusing on the comparison between hierarchical and flat network models. It begins with an introduction to network design concepts, including TCP/IP and its role in building scalable networks. The report then addresses key issues in network design, such as data transfer rules, protocol layers, and data volume. It highlights two major network design models: flat and three-layered hierarchical. The primary focus is on the three-layered hierarchical network design, widely used in larger organizations, emphasizing its advantages in terms of hierarchy, modularity, resiliency, flexibility, and scalability. The report contrasts hierarchical design with flat network design, detailing the pros and cons of each. Finally, it describes the three layers of the hierarchical model: access, distribution, and core, and concludes that hierarchical network design is the better choice for future network expansion, as it avoids performance degradation with added devices and applications.

Introduction
Before one do any purchases to the items that are required for networking it is good we know the
network design model. The first concept in understanding the network concepts is that they are
used in defining the TCP/IP and the primary family they use in networking protocols applied by
the internet. TCP/IP refers to protocols suites allowing conversations to happening on the
internet globally. When we understand the TCP/IP concept we can build a network that will be
scalable to virtually any size and ultimately becoming the part of the global internet.
The general idea behind the design of the network is meeting the current needs of an
organization and supporting all the emerging technologies. In this research it is based on
understanding the network design principles and the way this models can help the network
designer in building a network that is much flexible, very resilient and very easy to manage
(Adato, 2015). . The idea behind this is knowing which model suits the work on assessment 4.
Network Design
In designing a good network there are some issues must be addressed in order for us to have a
good network that is free of errors and is not vulnerable to the outside world where security is
concerned (Requirement, 2014). The issues are such the:
The data transfer rules where the protocol to be used must determine the number of all
channels that are needed and prioritizing on their usage. This idea here is based on the
communications modes.
The other issue is the protocol layers that must have the capability of correcting the
packets sequences received and if whether they are in an order that is correct.
The other issue is the maximum volume of data to be sent over the network.
Another problem is that when sending packets are too small in size then the process may
become inefficient
There are two major network design model that are widely used and that is the Flat network
design and the 3-layered hierarchical network design model. In the assessment 4 we will apply
the concept of 3-layered hierarchical network design which is most widely used in bigger
organizations. The design of the network is categorized depending on the size and the

requirements of the firm and hence some of the critical factors showing that there is a successful
implementation of the of any network design (Cisco, 2009)..
Hierachy- this breaks the complex problem of the networking design in to smaller and
more manageable portions
Modlarity- this is to separate some of the functions existing on the network in to modules
to make the network easier in designing
Resiliency- this is the concept of the network being available to the user all conditions
Flexibility and Scalability- ability of modifying the portions of the networks and the
network being expanded without necessary having to draw the design again from scratch.
Hierarchical Network Design
There are so many pros and cos that make us to choose Hierarchical over flat switched
network. The pros and cos of both is that, the flat network design provides very little
opportunity in controlling the broadcasts or by filtering the undesirable traffic (JoshWepman,
2015). Also unlike in Hierarchical in flat when more devices and applications are added the
response time will degrade and this will make the network to be unusable.
The hierarchical design approach is needed in assessment 4. The following arrangement of
the different layers will be as shown in the logic diagram. This type of design will involve
dividing the network in to three discrete layers where each tier provides specifics functions
that will be defining the role of the entire network (Technet, 2015). The idea behind the
three-layered hierarchical model is taking the flat switched network and dividing it in to
smaller and more manageable blocks and since they are locally they are able make the traffic
remain locally. The following diagram Explains how it works.

Access Layer- offers provision to accessing the network
Distribution Layer- offering provision to all policy that are connectivity based and
controlling the boundaries between the other two layers
Core Layer- providing transmission that is fast between the distributed switches
within the network.
Conclusion
As discussed above, for a better networking design that will never disappoint when it comes to
expanding in future the best design will be the use of Hierarchical network design (Rouse, 2016).
This is because even in the addition of other devices and applications will not lead to degrading
of the response time nor make the specific network unusable.
References

Adato, L. (2015). 5 Fundamental Requirements For High-Performing Networks. A new set of network
essentials is necessary to meet the challenges of today's network administration and
management, 23-36.
Cisco. (2009). Benefits of a Hierarchical Network. Cisco.
JoshWepman. (2015, September 11). techwalla. Retrieved from What Are the Benefits of Hierarchical
Network Design?: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-hierarchical-
network-design
Requirement, N. (2014). Network Requirements for a Small Office. requirements network.
Rouse, M. (2016). Definition. A data center (or datacenter) is a facility composed , 7-18.
Technet. (2015). Networking Requirements. Proper network planning can save time and expense, and
can ensure a timely deployment of Microsoft Speech Server (MSS)., 12-17.