Network Management Assignment: Layer 2 and Layer 3 Analysis

This document presents a solution to a network management assignment, addressing key concepts in network configuration and operation. The solution begins by outlining the steps for configuring a router, including entering interface mode, assigning an IP address and subnet mask, and enabling the interface. It then explains how to determine whether a serial interface is DCE or DTE. The assignment further explores the behavior of switches, including the forwarding delay and the role of BPDUs in determining network topology. A memo is included that compares Layer 2 switches and Layer 3 routing, highlighting the advantages of a routed network core, such as high availability, scalability, and simplified management. Finally, the assignment addresses the independence of upper layers in the ISO model from the physical requirements of the medium. The solution references key networking concepts and provides practical insights into network management practices, drawing on the provided references.

Running head: NETWORK MANAGEMENT 1
Network management
Name:
Institution Affiliation:

NETWORK MANAGEMENT 2
Question 1.
1. When it comes to the configuration of the routers mode (Router (config) #), one should
enter interface fa0/1 and then press the enter key. This will change the prompt of the
router to Router (config-if)#, which will indicate one is in the interface of the router
configuration mode. The router is able to keep track of the interface they are configuring.
The command for the abbreviation is int fa0/1 which is used in accessing the fast
Ethernet 0/1 interface (Böttcher, 2013). The prompt of the router will still display Router
(config-if)#.
2. 2. The step to follow next is for one to enter the IP address which is assigned to the Fast
Ethernet 0/1, iP address 10.10.20.50 and the subnet mask 255.255.0.0 and then press the
enter.
3. The next step is to enable the router interface through use of the no of shutdown (no shut)
command.
Question 2:
1. The command exhibits the controllers’ serial which has interface number could be
utilized in deciding whether or not your serial interface is the DCE or perhaps the
interface (Böttcher, 2013). This command could be utilized once they have an RJ-45
connection.
2. The V35 cables usually are labeled in indicating whether these are DTE or perhaps the
DCE cable.
3. It may also be carried out by way of check the end of the V35 cable to ascertain whether
it really is male- DTE or even female- DCE (Kim & Feamster, 2013).

NETWORK MANAGEMENT 3
Question 3:
The switch might not start to forward the data packets whenever the networking device is linked
to the port. During the delay, the switch could commence to process the BPDUs to ascertain the
topology of the switch network (Kim & Feamster, 2013). This is viewed as the forward delay.
Question 4:
To: Supervisor
From Employee
This memo is in the response to the question that related to layer two switch (Kim & Feamster,
2013). Layer 2 switch and the layer 3 routing perform the same way in regards to the speed, and
it is recommended that one has a routed network core in all the cases (Kim & Feamster, 2013).
The routed core usually have various merits, which are as follows;
High availability: This determines the convergence times for any link or even the node failure.
Scalability and flexibility: There is dynamic traffic load leveling out with the optimum path
election.
Simplified management as well as troubleshooting: The simplified routing design which
diminishes the operational support.
The two levels would not render any specific configuration decisions also it can easily make the
connection in the network decisions which are dependent on the network hardware which are
linked to the ports (Böttcher, 2013). In many of the common distribution configurations,
accessibility switch is configured as the layer two switch which forwards the traffic on the high-
speed trunks ports to the switches distribution.

NETWORK MANAGEMENT 4
.
Question 5:
No, it does not matter. This question does references the ISO layered network model. Each of the
medium will have their own physical requirements, but the upper layers might not be aware of
this kind of the level one choice (Kim & Feamster, 2013).

NETWORK MANAGEMENT 5
References
Böttcher, R. (2013). Global Network Management: Context—Decision-making—Coordination.
Springer-Verlag.
Kim, H., & Feamster, N. (2013). Improving network management with software defined
networking. IEEE Communications Magazine, 51(2), 114-119.