Comprehensive Analysis: Choosing a Network Design for Assessment 4

This report discusses various network design methods, including hierarchal, module, and flat designs, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages. The hierarchal method offers controlled access through ACLs, while the flat design is simple and cost-effective for small networks. The module design is suitable for complex networks, facilitating easy troubleshooting and upgrades. The report recommends the hierarchal design method for Assessment 4 due to its security features. It also suggests that module design method is flexible for future upgrades. The report also references the assessment item 4, stating that flat network methodology isn’t appropriate due to the presence of routers because flat design are not used in area where there is broadcasting and in this case routers are required.

NETWORK DESIGN METHODS

Abstract
Mostly network designs are very essential in any business organization, they play a major role in
their production. For their daily activities to run smoothly their networks should be well
designed. For networks design to be efficient and effective in an organizations, they must meet
their objectives. Currently, there are different types of network designs that methods are
implemented differently, but they depend on the area in which organization is located, the size of
the organization, devices to be used and resources available.
Since there is development in technology of devices used in networking to improve network
communication process. This may influence the method and type of network designs to be used.
Therefore, there are different methods that can be used to in network designing such as
hierarchal method whereby a network is designed according to the levels of success of different
employees in an organization, module network designing method where a complex or large
network is broken in to modules each representing a smaller network and a flat design method
where everything is at the same level. All these methods have advantages and disadvantages as
they are implemented in different criteria.
Network Design
Network design may be explained in different perspectives and also categorized in accordance
with those methods. Examples of these methods that are involved in network design are:
 The way the components are laid down or connected that is according to the type of
topology Examples are mesh, star topology (Jiang et al., 2009).
 Analysis of that specific network where some requirements must be considered; data
transmission cost
 Finally how the network designer understand the network to be implemented.
All of these perspectives have a common goal, which is to make sure the selected network
design method meets the requirements needed by the admin.
There are different network designs which varies according to areas or location in which the
network design is to be implemented. They can also be categorized a] logically or physically.
Some of the methods used are:

Hierarchal methodology– This is where by the network is designed according to different
levels of success in an organization (Priyantha et al., 2008).
Benefits of a hierarchal design:
 Every client or employee in that network is given the right to access an information,
services or devices in accordance to his or has level, so that in this method ACLs (Access
Control Lists) is implemented.
Disadvantages:
 It’s very hard to troubleshoot as compared to module design methodology
Flat design methodology– It is an approach that is used in an area where there isn’t much
routing and switching, that is in small organizations, houses (Wasserma & Faust, 2008). But
most of the flat networks are in the one broadcast domain, so using routers may be
inappropriate, majorly hubs and 2 layer switches are used.
Advantages
 Flat networks are simple thus making them easy to maintain
 It is a cheap network because you don’t require routers and switches which are very
expensive. Thus less cost while setting it up.
Disadvantages
 It is hard to implement the design in an area where there is broadcasting, because
hubs doesn’t have that capability of broadcasting unlike routers and layer 3 switches.
 It is not a secure network to transmit important information. Hackers and an
unauthorized people can eavesdrop, so its security is very low.
Module designing methodology – This is a designing method where by it is mostly
applicable in areas which have a complex network that are broken down in to modules
like in large institutions (Tonelli et al., 2015). Some aspects have to be analyzed before
generating a module design:
 Check for unique or common functionalities and services

 Check whether there is reusability of some parts in the larger network
Advantages:
 Whenever the network is down, its’ easy to troubleshooting, because the whole
network is divided in modules. So network administrator is able to analyze the
functionalities that are not getting through and in the network.
 It is easy to upgrade the network. If a certain task need to be upgraded, the module
that harbors that task is the one which is interfered with.
Disadvantages:
 This methodology is only important in areas where conditions are
standardized
According to assessment item 4, a flat network methodology isn’t appropriate due to the
presence of routers because flat design are not used in area where there is broadcasting and in
this case routers are required. For hierarchal design method, is the preferred selection because in
assessment 4, an ACL can be used in order to control who access different servers in the other
end, thus maintaining security.
Module designing method may be used to design the network, due to its flexibility, because in
future the network may be upgrade and as it gets upgrades the more complex it becomes

References
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