Network Fundamentals Project: ReVelop Network Design

This project assignment requires students to design a network infrastructure for a company called ReVelop, which is relocating to a new two-story building. The project involves creating a detailed tender that includes both logical and physical network designs, a component list with costs, and installation fees. Students must also submit individual reflective reports on their learning and group work experience. The project emphasizes understanding network analysis, applying network terminology, and designing a scalable and maintainable network. The tender must be understandable to a non-technical audience and include assumptions made where the specification is vague. The project is assessed based on the clarity of ideas, design efficiency, and quality of presentation.

The purpose of this coursework task is to consolidate the fundamental concepts of network
infrastructures, as stated in the learning outcomes below, in a practical way. By providing the
opportunity for students to evidence their knowledge and abilities in network systems analysis and
design for a given scenario.
Formative peer feedback sessions will be provided during your normal timetabled practical
sessions:
Week Commencing 16th January 2017 – Group Confirmation deadline
30th January 2017 – Logical Design deliverable
6th February 2017 – Physical Design deliverable
13th February 2017 – Compare Logical and Physical
Marks and Feedback:
This will be available 20 working days from the submission date stated above. This does not
include those days that the University is closed over holiday periods.
This coursework covers the unit Learning Outcomes as stated below:
1
.
Recognize computer systems network terminology and use it appropriately,
2
.
Computer Networks: Topologies, and Components - The structure of networked PCs -
architecture and basic layout, network servers, Networks Topologies - LAN, MAN and
WAN
5
.
Application Support Protocols - protocol suites, end-to-end transport protocol. Application
support services, Session and presentation services, e-mail, File transfer, Remote login
directory services
Coursework Deliverables
Group Report
The submitted group coursework should be a single word-processed report not exceeding, 2000
words in length ±10%, sub-divided into the following sections indicated below corresponding
approximately to the assessment headings. These should include diagrams of the designs and
simulated examples evidencing the efficiencies of your design. The focus of the report is to
present your groups understanding of network analysis as stated in the learning outcomes.
Theoretically this is a tender put forward to gain a contract with ReVelop.
Together with the main report each group member must individually produce two short reflective
accounts not exceeding, 1000 words ±10% in total length (these reports need to be handed in
together with the main report).
Individual Report One
 By relating to the lab books that you have been developing over this year reflect on the
lessons learnt in undertaking this coursework (approx. 500 Words).
1 Network Fundamentals (U21262) | School of Computing

Individual Report Two
 Reflect on the how the group managed the coursework and how well you all worked
together. What roles within the group did member take on? Group work can be challenging
and you need to all have good communication skills, but be honest in your reflection.
Indicate the lessons you personally have learnt while working as a group (approx. 500
Words).
The section headings required are:-
 Introduction
 Assumptions Made
 Issues influencing design
 Logical Design
 Physical Design
 Component and Costing List
 References
 Two Individual Reflective reports (Approx.1000 Words in total, split as discussed
above)
The submission of the work should be both a hard copy (e.g. printer paper copy) and also
electronically on CD/usb.
Plagiarism
The main report must have proper citations and references throughout using the Harvard APA 6
referencing system see the University library Harvard APA FAQs. (http://referencing.port.ac.uk/)
The plagiarism disciplinary policy will be invoked if ANY part of this work is found to be directly
copied from the Internet printed / published work or another student. Which will result in marks
being deducted for poor scholarship and possibly resulting in NO marks being be awarded for the
entire assignment.
Anonymity
All coursework should be anonymous; therefore you must ensure that students do NOT put their
name on their work. Work should only be identified by putting the Student ID number in the
document. Please see the Assessment and Examination Regulations for further information at:
http://www.port.ac.uk/accesstoinformation/policies/academicregistry/filetodownload,163708,en.pdf
Coursework Marking Scheme
Your coursework for this unit is the production of the above specified report based on the detailed
case study. The format is indicated in the ‘Coursework Deliverable’ section above. The emphasis
is on the clarity of the ideas contained, so you can make use of bullet points and include any
helpful graphics and diagrams as necessary. You should use evidence of the efficiencies of your
design. Where there is insufficient detail in the case study you may make assumptions but you
must include these in your report as a list of any assumptions you make.
Introduction 5 marks
Statement of assumptions made 10 marks
2 Network Fundamentals (U21262) | School of Computing

Discussion of issues influencing design (the rationale behind your design decisions) 10 marks
Draft Logical design of Network (connectivity) to include evidence of efficiencies in your design 20 marks
Draft Physical design of Network (location of components and cabling) 20 marks
Component Specification (this should reflect the requirements of your actual design) 10 marks
Individual reflective report
 Group reflection
 Learning reflection
20 marks
Quality of the Report Presentation (e.g. layout, language, diagrams)
Breadth of Information Resources used and correctness of citations
5 marks
Notes:
Logical Design: is a conceptual, abstract design. You do not need to deal with the physical implementation
details yet. This section will incorporate the topology and how the technology connects to make the whole
communication system. Throughout this aspect of the design you need only ensure that you adhere to the
network infrastructure specification as detailed by the company and any physical constraints imposed that
will affect this stage of the design. This can be accomplished by using MS Visio or similar software.
Within this part of the design you are required to test the loading and the throughput of the design to ensure
that you have not inadvertently created any bottlenecks within your network. This will prove to your client
that your design is robust and the one to choose.
Physical Design: Physical design is incorporating the logical design into the physical space. This has the
focus of taking your logical design and then showing how it will fit into the actual physical location. This is
where you consider the actual location of the components and the cable plans. Also consider the actual
building constraints etc.
Tender Specification: ReVelop
ReVelop is a software house currently based in London UK. They employ 250 staff with 150 staff working from their
main offices. The other staff are remote workers who will need remote access to the corporate network. They
provide a broad range of services to their clients. The key software development sections include:
 Custom Proprietary Software Applications, that take the process from inception through development and
on to supporting projects for clients;
 Web Applications which include ecommerce, eLearning and EdTech, finance and manufacturing
applications.
 Mobile Application Development of both hybrid and cross platform apps working on all major operating
systems.
Other departments within ReVelop include:
 Customer services
3 Network Fundamentals (U21262) | School of Computing

 Marketing and Sales
 Accounting and Finance
 Human Resources
 A small research and development section
ReVelop has a global client base and many meetings are held via video conferencing, therefore a stable internet
connection is vital to meet the needs of the business.
ReVelop are relocating to Basingstoke and have acquisitioned a larger two storey building (see appendix 1) to fulfil
their future business needs. The new building has little computer networking infrastructure and therefore needs to
be totally redesigned to meet the need of the company. The CEO of ReVelop is looking to employ a computer
networking contractor to implement the planning and installation of their IT requirements. Computer Networking
Contractors are requested to submit a detailed tender for this contract which must include both detailed logical and
physical designs together with the full list of the components required, their costing (reference sources) and
installation fees. The company has most staff working in an open spaced environment but departments/sections are
group in the same location.
Not all the panel who will be judging the tender are fully IT literate, therefore your tender must be written in such a
way that the whole panel can understand the content.
Assumptions can be made where the specification is vague.
 Site plan is in Appendix 1, major dimensions are stated.
 The building has two floors (ground and first floor)
 The first floor includes small meeting rooms and a boardroom.
 Each floor has a communal relaxing space which includes a café
 All shared offices require networking facilities that is scalable
 Currently there are 150 PC’s running a variety of operating systems (Windows. Mac OS and Linux)
 The company has already got 5 windows servers for this network, running windows Server 2016.
 They also use cloud storage which they already have a contract for. But good access to this is vital for the
business
 There are currently no other existing LAN components (the company requires a wired infrastructure);
 Wireless connectivity for the ad hoc mobile work force is required;
 The network needs to be scalable and maintainable in its design;
 The main network infrastructure needs to be interoperable with all operating systems
4 Network Fundamentals (U21262) | School of Computing

Appendix 1
5 Network Fundamentals (U21262) | School of Computing
A B
Ground Floor Plan
A = Open working area
B = Entrance and reception area to the building

6 Network Fundamentals (U21262) | School of Computing
A
30 m
12m
20m
60m B
C D
E
F
G
H
First Floor Building Plan
A & B = open space for Computers
C = Reception area
D, E, F, G, & H = multi occupancy offices
Meeting room and boardroom shows intended layout
Shared area café space – wireless connectivity required
Measurements as stated those not stated to be interpreted
or estimated