Network Design and Implementation for CAC Brisbane Office

This report presents a comprehensive network design and implementation plan for Color Ability Corporation (CAC), an advertising and marketing firm relocating to a new four-story building in Brisbane. The report addresses key aspects of network infrastructure, including computer system recommendations for various departments (general use, graphics production, film production, and server), printer selection (Konica Minolta Bizhub C558 and HP LaserJet Pro M281cdw), and network device recommendations (Cisco 4000 series routers, Cisco Meraki MS225-48 switches, and Cisco Business 100 series wireless access points). It also covers ISP selection (Vodafone), IP addressing strategies (public and private), and network security considerations. The project schedule, budget summary, and future plans are outlined, culminating in recommendations and conclusions to guide CAC's network setup. This assignment is a valuable resource for students on Desklib, offering insights into real-world network design challenges.

Network Technology and Management
Student Name
Institutional Affiliation

NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Executive Summary
Color Ability Corporation (CAC) is an advertising and marketing company that has experience
growth and now their current operating space, Level 10 and 11 of X Tower in Brisbane CBD, is no longer
enough. Because of this, CAC has purchased a four-story building in one of the Brisbane Suburbs and
plans to move there in the next three months. This report highlights the various activities that has to be
carried out in regards to network design and implementation in the new building before they move. Of
focus is the recommendation of various computer systems to be used by different employees in
different departments, printers to be shared by employees and managers, network devices such as
router, switch, and access points, internet, service provider, IP addressing, and the security benefits of
using both public and private IP. Based on the justifications provided, CAC should therefor adopt this
proposal to design and implement network infrastructure for the new building. Network performance
depends on the choice of network devices, cables, and choice of the internet service provider. These are
the key determinants of network reliability, availability, scalability, expandability, and overall security.
Based on these factors, the recommended devices and ISP will be able to ensure that such requirements
are met.
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
Executive Summary......................................................................................................................................i
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................1
Problem Statement.....................................................................................................................................1
Objectives....................................................................................................................................................1
Methodology...............................................................................................................................................1
Project Schedule..........................................................................................................................................2
Activity 1......................................................................................................................................................2
Activity 2......................................................................................................................................................4
Activity 3......................................................................................................................................................6
Activity 4......................................................................................................................................................7
Activity 5......................................................................................................................................................8
Activity 6......................................................................................................................................................9
Activity 7......................................................................................................................................................9
Activity 8....................................................................................................................................................10
Budget Summary.......................................................................................................................................10
Future Plans...............................................................................................................................................11
Recommendations and Conclusions..........................................................................................................11
References List..........................................................................................................................................12
Appendix: Subnet Calculation....................................................................................................................14
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Tables of Figures and Tables
Table 1: Project Timeline.............................................................................................................................2
Table 2: General Use...................................................................................................................................2
Table 3: Graphics Production.......................................................................................................................3
Table 4: Film Production..............................................................................................................................4
Table 5: Mail and FTP Server.......................................................................................................................4
Table 6: Local Internet Service Providers.....................................................................................................8
Table 7: Internal Services.............................................................................................................................8
Table 8: Network Planning Form.................................................................................................................9
Table 9: Network Subnet.............................................................................................................................9
Table 10: IP Addressing Table....................................................................................................................10
Table 11: Budget Summary........................................................................................................................11
Figure 1: Konica Minolta Bizhub C558.........................................................................................................5
Figure 2: HP LaserJet Pro M281cdw............................................................................................................5
Figure 3: Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers.............................................................................6
Figure 4: Cisco Meraki MS225-48................................................................................................................6
Figure 5: Cisco Small Business 100 Series Wireless Access Points...............................................................7
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Quality network design together with powerful network devices can greatly benefit companies,
organizations, and business by enhancing productivity and increasing the overall performance of the
company (Bach, 2013). The choice of the kind of network topology to be used also affects network
performance and reliability and thus the need to implement an appropriate topology to ensure high
availability and reliability (Zhang and Shin, 2013, p. 431). Color Ability Corporation (CAC) is an advertising
and marketing company that has experience growth and now their current operating space, Level 10
and 11 of X Tower in Brisbane CBD, is no longer enough. Because of this, CAC has purchased a four-story
building in one of the Brisbane Suburbs and plans to move there in the next three months. This report
highlights the various activities that has to be carried out in regards to network design and
implementation in the new building before they move. Of focus is the recommendation of various
computer systems to be used by different employees in different departments, printers to be shared by
employees and managers, network devices such as router, switch, and access points, internet, service
provider, IP addressing, and the security benefits of using both public and private IP.
Problem Statement
Color Ability Corporation wants to move to the new office in a four-story building located in one
of the Brisbane suburbs. The company is task with the problem of first designing and implementing the
network infrastructure before moving to the new building within the next three months.
Objectives
The following are the objectives that this project seeks to achieve:
 Propose network infrastructure that will enable all the employees both in Brisbane and Sydney
to communicate.
 Propose computer systems for general use, film and graphic production, and server.
 Propose two kinds of printers to be used by employees and managers.
 Propose networking devices to be used to implement the network.
 Recommend ISP to be used by the company.
Methodology
To ensure that the project is successful, it will be subdivided into different project activities that
should be achieved within the given timeline (Bird and Harwood, 2010). The project will have several
milestones including planning, designing, implementation, and testing. Documentation will be done
throughout the project lifecycle.
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Project Schedule
The network project is expected to be completed within three months. The table below shows the
project schedule
Activity Duration (days) Start Stop
Project planning 15 5th October, 2018 19th October, 2018
Design 15 20th October, 2018 3rd November, 2018
Implementation 30 4th November, 2018 3rd December, 2018
Testing 10 4th December, 2018 13th December, 2018
Documentation 70 5th October, 2018 13th December, 2018
Table 1: Project Timeline
Activity 1
Department: General Use
Location: Brisbane/Sydney
Component Recommendation
Processor AMD Ryzen™ 7 2700E, 2.8GHz
Memory RAM 8GB DDR4
Hard Drive 1 TB SATA
CD-ROM/DVD DVD R/W, 16x
USB Ports 6 Ports front:2 back:4
Video Card GeForce GTX 1060, 2GB
Sound Card Asus Essence STX II
Modem Internal modem 9600 bps
Operating System Microsoft Windows 10 pro
Monitor
Size: 27 inches, Resolution: 1440p, Refresh rate: 144
Hz
Printer Konica Minolta Bizhub C558
Speakers HP 752794-001 Internal Speakers
Internet Connection 100-1000 Base-T Ethernet
Table 2: General Use
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Department: Graphics Production
Location: Brisbane/Sydney
Component Recommendation
Processor AMD Ryzen Thread ripper 2970WX, 3GHz
Memory RAM-16 GB DDR4
Hard Drive 2TB SSHD
CD-ROM/DVD DVD R/W 24x
USB Ports Ports-8, front-4, back-4
Video Card Gigabyte Radeon RX 580, 4GB
Sound Card Asus Essence STX II
Modem Internal modem 9600 bps
Operating System Microsoft Windows pro
Monitor Size-24 inches, Resolution-4K, Refresh rate-60 Hz
Printer Konica Minolta Bizhub C558
Speakers HP 752794-001 Internal Speakers
Internet Connection 100-1000 Base-T Ethernet
Table 3: Graphics Production
Department: Film Production
Location: Sydney
Component Recommendation
Processor AMD Ryzen™ 7 2700X, 3.7GHz
Memory RAM-16GB DDR4
Hard Drive 2TB SSHD
CD-ROM/DVD DVD R/W, 24x
USB Ports Ports-8, front-4, back-4
Video Card GeForce GTX 1080, 8GB
Sound Card Asus Essence STX II
Modem Internal modem 9600 bps
Operating System Microsoft Windows 10
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Monitor
Size-27 inches, Resolution-4K, Refresh rate-120
Hz
Printer Konica Minolta Bizhub C558
Speakers HP 752794-001 Internal Speakers
Internet Connection 100-1000 Base-T Ethernet
Table 4: Film Production
Department: Email/FTP Server
Location: Brisbane
Component Recommendation
Processor AMD Ryzen Thread ripper 1900X, 3.8 GHz
Memory RAM- 8 GB DDR 4
Hard Drive 1TB SATA
CD-ROM/DVD DVD R/W, 16x
USB Ports Ports-8, front-4, back-4
Video Card GeForce GTX 970, 4GB
Sound Card Asus Essence STX II
Modem Internal Modem 9600 bps
Operating System Windows Server 2016
Monitor
Size-24 inches, Resolution-1080p, refresh rate-144
Hz
Printer Not applicable
Speakers HP 752794-001 Internal Speakers
Internet Connection 100-1000 Base-T Ethernet
Table 5: Mail and FTP Server
Activity 2
Printing is necessary for CAC employees and managers. In the requirements, CAC needs two
kinds of printers, one kind to be used by managers and should be located in all the managers offices in
the five departments and another one for sharing by employees on every department. Due to high
quality and heavy printing that is expected to be done by employees, Konica Minolta Bizhub C558
printer is recommended (Chapman, 2018). This is a multipurpose printer designed specifically to address
the requirements of a contemporary business.
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Figure 1: Konica Minolta Bizhub C558
Konica Minolta Bizhub C558 printer is capable of dual scanning and improves the workflow.
Additionally, it has a memory of 4GB and has capacity of 400 sheets (Oppenheimer, 2011). One key
benefit is its high processing speed that ensures faster printing and minimize queue time. It also has the
capability to staple up to 100-sheet booklet. It is relatively affordable compared to other printer models
of the same capacity and has high performance and reliability.
For the managers, HP LaserJet Pro M281cdw is recommended. It is a colored printer that has the
ability to copy, print, scan, and fax. It also supports wireless connection (CertificationKits, 2018).
Figure 2: HP LaserJet Pro M281cdw
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
It supports double-sided printing and high quality and professional quality print. This printer will
serve CAC managers well offering the best printing services.
Activity 3
Network performance greatly depends on the type and quality of networking devices. Good
network infrastructure will increase the overall performance and productivity of the business (Levin,
2017). The following devices are recommended to be used by CAC:
Router
Cisco 4000 series router is recommended to be used for the CAC network. This is an intelligent
router that is able to detect and filter any suspicious traffic and block them from getting into the internal
network. This model supports virtualization to ensure that the network resources are available all the
time at any place. Secondly, it has the ability to automate the network by using Cisco DNA center to
enforce business policies to monitor and configure the network thus increasing work performance
(Cisco, 2018).
Figure 3: Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers
Some of the network services that Cisco 4000 series offers include unified communication,
intelligent caching, optimization of applications and WAN connection, and software-defined WAN. It has
also been integrated with security features to protect the connections across the sites (Hohlfeld, Zinner,
Benson and Hausheer, 2015, p. 4).
Switches
Cisco Meraki MS225-48 is the recommended switch to be used while setting up the network. It
is a 48-port switch which has auto-MDIX crossover and supports 10/100/1000BASE T ethernet
connection (Athow, 2018).
Figure 4: Cisco Meraki MS225-48
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
It supports power over ethernet in all the ports and applies 802.3af security standards. it
supports remote management through Meraki dashboard which is user friendly and easy to use
(Woodward and Feuer, 2013). Other features include client, DHCP, and hostname fingerprinting, remote
diagnostics, notification alerts via email and SMS, failure detection, flexible stacking, ethernet switching
capabilities, prioritization of quality of service, 2-factor authentication integration, enforcement of
corporate wide password policy, role-based access control, STP enhancements, port security, and DHCP
detection, snooping, and blocking (Cisco, 2018). This feature ensures high performance network through
flow control support and switching capacity.
Wireless Access Point
Wireless access points facilitate wireless connection for employee devices such as mobile
phones, laptops, and tablets (Wolf, 2010, p. 7). The best, affordable, and powerful access point that will
be able to meet the set requirement is Cisco Business 100 series.
Figure 5: Cisco Small Business 100 Series Wireless Access Points
Installation and configuration of this WAP is easy because of the integrated setup wizard and
intuitive web-based setup (Hoque and Gupta, 2012, p. 14). It further offers high-speed wireless
connection with 802.11ac/n security standards which improves productivity and range. Also, it has
advanced security features such as roque access point detection, WPA2, Radius secure authorization
802.1X. furthermore, it supports easy scalability and expandability and consumes less energy (Cisco,
2018).
Activity 4
Internet connection is very important to any business or company. The choice of the internet
service provider will determine the overall network performance because of the internet speed
(Karyakina and Melnikov, 2017, p. 253). The ISP should be able to assure high availability will minimal or
no downtime. The table below shows a comparison of two local ISP that Color Ability Corporation can
get internet connection from:
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NETWORK TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Internet Service Provider Features Maximum
Data
Cost
($)
Premium internet speed
$180 Upfront subscription fee which gradually
reduces to $0 in 36 months
Initial payment of $269 in the first month
Unlimited 89.00
Standard plus 50/23
$140 modem fee
$100 installation fee
$99 activation fee
Initial payment of $2912.03 for 12 months
Unlimited broadband
Unlimited 204
Table 6: Local Internet Service Providers
Despite the high charges demanded by Foxtel, Vodafone still offer better and more reliable
internet services. CAC will be able to enjoy premium internet speed at lower cost. Vodafone also offer
24/7 support to their customers. Moreover, Vodafone has a good reputation as compared to Foxtel
(Weng, Yang and Lai, 2014, p. 679). As such, Color Ability Corporation should acquire its internet from
Vodafone.
Activity 5
CAC employee expect some services to be offered internally. The table below describes some of
the internal services that should be provided and supported by the network:
Service Device Justification
Application
management
Application
Server
To offer centralized management and administration of application.
This ensures that all the applications are available to all users at any
time (Gentile, Griffith and Souryal, 2012, p. 50). Additionally, it makes it
easier to monitor how different users use the application and further
makes it easy to update the applications.
Printing
Services
Print server Manages all the print jobs sent to the printer and prioritizes printing
jobs based on priority.
IP allocation DHCP Server To allocate the users with IP addresses dynamically to enable them
access the internet and other network resources.
Email Services Mail server CAC being a marketing and advertising company, it is expected that a
lot of emails will be sent and received. As such, there is need to have a
server to manage email messages sent and receive and ensure backup
of such communications for future reference (Wang, 2014, p. 175).
File Storage File Server This allows centralized storage of all the shared files and ensures that
all the employees have access to complete and up-to-date files at all
time (Gagliardi and Alhabib, 2015). This enable the employees to use
similar information to perform their tasks.
Table 7: Internal Services
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