LUCMAT LTD Network Enhancement: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

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Networking assignment

Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
LO1..................................................................................................................................................5
P1 Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network types and standards......................5
P2 Explain the impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth requirements.......7
LO2..................................................................................................................................................8
P3 Discuss the operating principles of networking devices and server types..............................8
P4 Discuss the inter-dependence of workstation hardware with relevant networking software.
....................................................................................................................................................10
LO3................................................................................................................................................11
P5 Design a networked system to meet a given specification...................................................11
P6 Test and evaluate the design to meet the requirements and analyse user feedback..............12
LO4................................................................................................................................................13
P7 Implement a networked system based on a prepared design................................................13
P8 Document and analyse test results against expected results.................................................14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................15
References......................................................................................................................................16
List of Figures
Figure 1 network topology..........................................................................................................................6
Figure 2 Network design diagram.............................................................................................................11
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Introduction
The report is meant to design and implement Network design for LUCMAT LTD as the
supervisor assigned by them. The network already consisted of Various computer and printers
for three departments. LUCMAT ltd needs one more department to be added so that more
network devices can be added in the network. The network consists of 3 servers. The task is to
design and implement the new network so that more devices added can transmit the data at faster
rates without any delay. To achieve this task, network types are compared to know the benefits
and constraints of each network type. Then the report consists of network topology and its
impact on the network and also the impact of communication and bandwidth. Further, the aim of
this report is to find the interdependence between network hardware and software and also the
working principle of network devices and servers. Considering these points a network has to be
designed for LUCMAT so that it can meet the user's expectations. After preparing the design it
needs to be tested and analyzed so that a perfect design can be implemented. On the
implementation of the design, the test results have to be compared with expected results.
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LO1
P1 Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network types and standards.
LAN- local area network
Benefits
1. Resource sharing is easy because the resources are connected to a network and when any
device needs the resources, it can be shared with That device.
2. Data is stored in the server and the client can log in and access the data.
3. Internet sharing through LAN cables where the main internet cable is attached to one server.
4. Data update needs to be performed only on the server and other computers will automatically
get the updated data.
5. No need to buy an expensive license for a single software program for different users.
6. Fast and easy data sharing over the network.
7. All computers can be identified with temporarily stored MAC addresses in the router or
switch.
Constraints
1. In case of mistakes in server set-up, unauthorized computers can also access the data.
2. LAN cannot be extended to wide areas.
3. If any file or data is incorrectly functioning in the server then all the connected computers can
face the consequences.
4. Setting up devices such as hubs, routers, switches, etc. are costly.
5. Maintenance of server setup and LAN setup inexpensive (Itreleasecom, 2018).
WAN- Wide area network
Benefits
1. It covers a large geographical area.
2. Data and files can be shared from the Head office sever.
3. Easy to update files over the Live server.
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4. It has made instant data transfer applications possible.
5. Globally business expansion due to WAN.
6. High bandwidth is responsible for high data transfer rates.
Constraints
1. It has more security problems compared to LAN.
2. Hackers can easily hack data or inject viruses.
3. Setting up WAN is expensive.
4. Lots of resources are needed for servicing the WAN problems.
5. Connectivity issues due to electricity scarcity (Itreleasecom, 2018).
MAN- Metropolitan area network
Benefits
1. It is less expensive compared to WAN and data management is also easy.
2. Local emails can be sent for free.
3. High transfer speeds because of optical fibers.
4. More secure than WAN.
5. Conversion from LAN to MAN is easy.
Constraints
1. In the case of a bigger network, management is difficult.
2. High cost for optical fibers set up.
3. High-security tools needed otherwise data will be prone to attacks.
4. Technical staff needed to set up the MAN.
5. To connect two LAN, Additional cables are needed (Itreleasecom, 2018).
5

P2 Explain the impact of network topology, communication, and bandwidth requirements.
Network topology is the way the network is arranged and devices are connected to each other.
The physical connection of the devices in the network is defined as the topology of that network.
The network topologies that can be used for LUCMAT LTD, for LAN are:
1. Bus topology
2. Ring topology
3. Tree topology
4. Mesh topology
5. Star topology
Figure 1 network topology
(Source: Conceptdrawcom, 2019)
The physical topology of the network is the arrangement in which workstations are connected,
wires, cables and connection between nodes are arranged.
Bus topology- in this topology each device in the network is connected to a central bus and with
each other. Any information will be transmitted to the bus first so that it can be sent to every
node.
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Star topology- all the devices are connected to the central node.
Ring topology- all the devices are connected in a circular fashion with nearby two devices hence
making a ring-like an arrangement.
Tree topology- it is the combination of bus and star topology.
Mesh topology- in this type of topology, each node is connected to some other node in the
network (UKEssays, 2018).
The best topology to connect all the devices in a LAN is star topology, where each device in the
network is connected to a central device whether a hub or a switch. Therefore all the data passes
through the central hub and Further towards the specified end node. But the problem lies is that if
the central hub fails to work, the whole network becomes non-operational (UKEssays, 2018).
Impact of bandwidth on the network can be seen on the speed of data transferred. When
bandwidth increases, more data can be transferred (Chroncom, 2019).
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LO2
P3 Discuss the operating principles of networking devices and server types.
Network Hub- Network hub is used to connect network hosts together. It sends the data in forms
of packets. Whenever data is received through a host, network hub generates copies of it and
sends to all the connected ports. The port which needs the data acknowledges it.
Network Switch- switch has one more additional feature compared to the Hub. It doesn't only
send the data forward but also filters the data before sending it. It sends the packet only to the
user for which this packet was intended. The switch makes use of Content addressable memory
to maintain a table regarding which packet needs to be sent to which port.
Modem- this device is used to supply internet connection in an area. This is a combination of
modulator and demodulator. As the computer generates the data into binary form but the cables
transmit the data into the analog signal, therefore, it is the work of modem to perform modulation
and demodulation of data being transmitted.
Network Router- a router is a device used to route the traffic from different another network. It
controls and directs the traffic. It connects the devices by sending the data in forms of packets. It
has a list of local IP addresses of each device.
Bridge- it is used to connect two different sub-networks in a network. The bridge is used to
divide the data into segments to reduce network traffic.
Repeater- it is a device which is used in networks to amplify the signal and its power so that it
travels to greater distances (Shekhar, 2016).
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DNS server- it contains all the IP addresses and domain names related to each other. As
machines are not able to understand and read the domain names hence it gets converted to IP
addresses in a machine-readable form.
Email server- it is used to send the mail received from client devices to other devices over the
network. When a client presses the send button after composing a mail, the requests go to SMTP
over the internet and again goes to the server.
Web server- It works by sending a response to the client either by sending the file to the URL,
which sent a request or by script invoking along with the communication with the database.
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P4 Discuss the inter-dependence of workstation hardware with relevant networking
software.
When a workstation has to communicate with network devices such as a computer or a printer, it
will take the help of a server. The reason behind this is, the workstations have their own
operating system present in the server. Devices present in a network using the memory, hard
disk, etc. Hence whenever a workstation has to use these components, it will have to wait for the
memory or resources to get free. It increases traffic congestion in the network. Therefore the
workstations depend upon the software components of the server. The server has backup
techniques and many redundancy techniques to eliminate redundancy.
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LO3
P5 Design a networked system to meet a given specification
Figure 2 Network design diagram
(Source: Draw.io)
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P6 Test and evaluate the design to meet the requirements and analyze user feedback.
The network designed above should satisfy the following needs:
1. The network designed should be working all the time because all four departments of
LUCMAT ltd are connected with this network. Because failure in one network can cause the
whole operation to fail.
2. The network should be able to send and receive data packets from one point to another without
any delay, whether using DNS, Email or web server.
3. The data transfer through the network should be smooth.
4. LUCMAT ltd. a new network designed should be free from attacks, therefore a plan is needed
to prevent attacks and stop the attack in any such case.
5. The administrator should be able to monitor all the components of the network designed above
and specifically, all the servers and devices should be in reach.
6. If any problem occurs in the network, its troubleshooting should be easy and should follow the
standard approach.
7. As the business of LUCMAT will increase further, the network should be able to grow in size
and should be adaptable to the business needs (Networkers-onlinecom, 2008).
These are the criteria, a good network should follow. the network designed for LUCMAT ltd. Is
smooth, easy to troubleshoot and data transfer is easy and adaptable to changes.
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