Network Assessment Report: SBI Bank Network Design and Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive network assessment for SBI Bank, detailing the project overview, planning, and technology investigation. It explores the need for a robust IT infrastructure to support the bank's operations, focusing on the use of LAN and WAN technologies. The report delves into specific technologies like domain controllers, DHCP servers, and routing protocols (BGP, EIGRP, OSPF, ACL) to ensure network security and efficient data transfer. A project management methodology based on PMBOK is employed to manage the design and execution plan, including network design for the retail asset and regional office branch, incorporating switches, routers, proxy servers, and patch panels. The report emphasizes the importance of a secure network to prevent cyberattacks and maintain smooth banking operations, with references to relevant literature and online resources.

Network Assessment
Report

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Project Overview.........................................................................................................................1
Planning.......................................................................................................................................1
Technology Investigation............................................................................................................2
Project Management Methodology.............................................................................................3
Design & Execution Plan............................................................................................................3
Reference.........................................................................................................................................5

Introduction
Network comprises of two or more computers which are associated with one other for
sharing resources like interchange of files, conduct electronic communication, etc. It comprises
of number of distinct computer systems that are connected by wireless or physical connections
(Ammirato and et. al, 2018). This report will provide details related with project based on SBI
bank (State Bank of India), it is a public sector bank that caters millions of transactions each day
irrespective of whether small or large transactions. and will furnish different approaches related
with this.
Project Overview
Banking sector is one that needs high levels of strong inter-connected as well as reliable
IT services for dealing with requests that made by their users. This sector can be regarded as
central for each as for carrying out operations finance is required and needs to have instant
payments. In addition to this, in case if any kind of attacks are made then it will lead to adverse
impact. Thus, security is critical aspect that must be taken into consideration like a top priority.
The operations that are carried out by bank are dependent on strong network and for ensuring
this, they opt for different networking devices. This will enable them to have smooth delivery of
their operations in an affirmative manner. For this, SBI will make use of LAN that will enable
them to conduct their operations in a floor or a building and this can be attained by usage of
coaxial cable, fiber optical, wireless and twisted pair cable. WAN spans a larger area through
which operations can be carried out by different people across the country and for this
transmission media that will be used are land lines and satellites (Auer and Böhme, 2020). For
setting up both of these, networking devices like switch and router can be used. Furthermore,
firewall will be utilised for blocking unauthorised access and only authorised devices will be
given access depending upon the formulated security rules. This is liable for monitoring
incoming as well as outgoing network so that security aspects can be ensured.
Planning
There is SBI RBO (Regional Business Office) that possess entire control of SBI branches
across the region. The SBI retail asset and RBO together have around 50 employees who are
liable for carrying out distinct roles like Chief, Marketing, HR, IT and assistant managers for
each department. Along with this, there is clerical staff, trainees and data entry employees. This
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implies that Bank comprises of distinct departments and various employees for carrying out their
responsibilities. It is mandatory that they possess secured and strong IT infrastructure that will be
able to acknowledge all the applications used by Bank with high accuracy and efficiency.
Departments Number of Users
Assistant General Manager 2
Marketing 9
HR 7
Personal Loan 5
Internet Banking 9
Channel Section 7
Information Technology 7
Administration 4
Total 50
Technology Investigation
The different technologies that can be utilised within designing of network in context of
Bank are illustrated beneath:
1. Domain controller
Vince. L (2019), domain refers to aggregation of systems, networks, applications, users and
many other resources which are being administered via common set of rules. The domain
controller implies a server that is liable for managing network security in an effective manner
that will act like a gatekeeper to ensure authorization along with user authentication. They have
access to active directory, while attackers possess all sort of tricks for gaining elevated access
into network it means that DC will not protect system from attacks but can utilise them for
detection of cyberattacks (Belton and et. al, 2017). In context of SBI, there exist distinct
departments, within each there are different levels of hierarchy that clearly implies that chief
managers will be provided with more privileges in comparison to lower staff. The DC will
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ensure this aspect and will check login credentials of each individual trying to have access, with
respect to that only access will be provided.2. Servers
The system or computer that are liable for rendering data, programs, sources or services to other
systems is referred to as clients over the network. When they share any kind of resources with
client machines then they are regarded as servers (Belton and et. al, 2018). DHCP is being
utilised in this case which is a client server protocol that is liable for providing automatic IP with
there addresses (What is DHCP, 2020). This allow host for rendering essential TCP/IP
configuration information from server. Retail asset and RBO have around 50 users which means
various IP printers as well as IP phones. It is crucial that each device on the network will have
unlike unicast IP address for accessing network along with their resources. This cannot be
attained without usage of DHCP as by manual allotment of IP to system, it will become
confusing for them. The network administrator within DHCP server maintain TCP/IP
configuration.
3. Networking routing
Routing implies process associated with selection of path via a internetwork via which packets
can be transmitted to hosts devices (routers). The protocol like TCP/IP will be used. Routers
implies devices that are utilised for joining subnets that are distinct and separate networks which
makes up internetwork (Custers, Pool and Cornelisse, 2019). SBI have various branches across
the country for carrying out intercommunication among them. With respect to this different
communication protocols will be utilised, they are: BGP (broader gateway protocol), EIGRP
(Enhanced Interior Gateway routing protocol), OSPF and ACL.
Project Management Methodology
With respect to this project, the methodology that will be utilised within this project is
PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). This refers to set of standard terminologies
as well as guidelines for ensuring that projects can be carried out in a relevant manner. This
involves initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & controlling and closing. This will enable
to identify risks related with related with designing along with their execution (Hardin and et. al,
2017). Through this, all the aspects of project can be carried out in an affirmative manner along
with this cost can also be managed. For an instance, the project involved three critical aspects,
they are DHCP server, switching & routing and domain controller and this aspect was to be
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carried by one person, the other will be handling servers, storage and access that will be provided
to them. The last person is responsible for managing clients within the network and virtual
machine.
Design & Execution Plan
The network design for asset retail and regional office branch is illustrated beneath. The
bank have 2 different floors in which different aspects can be carried out. To address this 2
switches will be utilised and it is high capacity switch which acts as a primary aspect within the
network. These 2 are utilised for eradication of redundancy, the other reason behind this is that in
case if any of the switch fail then other will automatically start serving which means that bank
can conduct their operations in normal format (Heitzler and et. al, 2017). They are further
connected with 24 ports via a patch panel and there are multiple servers. The IP and desktops
are connected to distribution switch. The model router works like a firewall among intranet and
internet. It is liable for keeping entire network safe from any kind of external intruders so that
any kind of cyber attacks can be prevented. BGP protocols will be used for ensuring router
configuration for transferring secured data.
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Illustration 1: Network Design for a SBI Bank

Varonis (2020), the proxy server is utilised among router and internet for attaining higher
performance and security. This will act like a gateway among internet and user. This makes it
difficult for hackers to get access to the internal addresses along with private details that is
present within the network (What is a Proxy Server and How Does it Work?, 2020). They
renders varying levels for enhancing privacy, security and functionalities on the basis of needs.
Firefold (2020), patch panel acts as central location that is liable for rendering easy to
manage, simple and neat solution. It is array of ports on single panel where each port connects
via this. This can easily manage incoming as well as out coming copper or fiber cables (What is
a Patch Panel and What Is Its Purpose?, 2020). It is liable for rendering cross-connect or
interconnect patching methods for termination and splicing cables. This works through
termination of cable elements along with routing signals to destination port through the usage of
patch cords.
Print server enables distribution and management for printing functionalities rather than
connecting printer with each workstation. This will evacuate need for extra PC dependent print
server that will accomplish the need of customers for accomplishment of requirements of users
as well as employees (León, Machado and Sarmiento, 2018). Applications servers will be
executed with respect to applications that are locally executed by their clients and ensure that all
the requirements will be accomplished with respect to them.
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Reference
Books & Journals
Ammirato, S. & et. al, (2018, September). Bank branches as smart environments: introducing a
cognitive protection system to manage security and safety. In Working Conference on
Virtual Enterprises (pp. 61-73). Springer, Cham.
Auer, R., & Böhme, R. (2020). The technology of retail central bank digital currency. BIS
Quarterly Review, March.
Belton Jr, & et. al, (2017). U.S. Patent No. 9,716,718. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.
Belton Jr & et. al, (2018). U.S. Patent No. 10,158,637. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.
Custers, B. H., Pool, R. L., & Cornelisse, R. (2019). Banking malware and the laundering of its
profits. European Journal of Criminology, 16(6), 728-745.
Hardin, C. & et. al, (2017). U.S. Patent No. 9,628,438. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.
Heitzler, M. & et. al, (2017). A simulation and visualization environment for spatiotemporal
disaster risk assessments of network infrastructures. Cartographica: The International
Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization, 52(4), 349-363.
León, C., Machado, C., & Sarmiento, M. (2018). Identifying central bank liquidity super-
spreaders in interbank funds networks. Journal of Financial Stability, 35, 75-92.
Lewis, T. G. (2019). Critical infrastructure protection in homeland security: defending a
networked nation. John Wiley & Sons.
Luong, N. C. & et. al, (2017). Resource management in cloud networking using economic
analysis and pricing models: A survey. IEEE Communications Surveys &
Tutorials, 19(2), 954-1001.
Troiano, E. & et. al (2019, November). Big Data Platform for Integrated Cyber and Physical
Security of Critical Infrastructures for the Financial Sector: Critical Infrastructures as
Cyber-Physical Systems. In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on
Management of Digital EcoSystems (pp. 262-269).
Online
What is DHCP. 2020. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.efficientip.com/what-is-dhcp-
and-why-is-it-important/>.
IT Explained: Server. 2020. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.paessler.com/it-
explained/server>.
What is a Proxy Server and How Does it Work?. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.varonis.com/blog/what-is-a-proxy-server/>.
What is a Patch Panel and What Is Its Purpose?. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.firefold.com/blogs/news/what-is-a-patch-panel-and-what-is-its-purpose>.
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