Network Technologies: Network Design, Implementation and Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive overview of networking technologies, including network types, topologies, and standards, along with their benefits and constraints. It discusses the impact of network topology, communication, and bandwidth requirements, comparing common networking principles and how protocols enable the effectiveness of networked systems. The report also explores the operating principles of networking devices and server types, along with the interdependence of workstation hardware and relevant networking software. A LAN network is designed and implemented using Cisco packet tracers, tested for performance, and analyzed based on user feedback, with recommendations for potential enhancements and a maintenance schedule provided for the organization.

NETWORKING
TECHNOLOGIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
LO1..................................................................................................................................................2
P1 Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network types and standards.....................2
P2 Explain the impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth requirements.......7
M1 Compare common networking principles and how protocols enable the effectiveness of
networked systems.....................................................................................................................10
LO2................................................................................................................................................12
P3 Discuss the operating principles of networking devices and server types[M2]...................12
P4 Discuss the inter-dependence of workstation hardware with relevant networking software
...................................................................................................................................................14
LO3................................................................................................................................................15
P5 Design a networked system to meet a given specification...................................................15
P6 Test and evaluate the design to meet the requirements and analyze user feedback.............16
M3 Install and configure network services and applications on your choice............................18
D2 Design a maintenance schedule to support the networked system......................................19
LO4................................................................................................................................................20
P7 Implement a networked system based on a prepared design................................................20
P8 Document and analyze test results against expected results................................................27
M4 Recommend potential enhancements for the networked systems.......................................30
D3 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work a....................................................................31
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................33
References......................................................................................................................................34

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Different network system..................................................................................................2
Table 2: Network types....................................................................................................................5
Table 3: Networking principles.....................................................................................................10
Table 4: Network servers in the network.......................................................................................12
Table 5: Questionnaires.................................................................................................................16
Table 6: Network maintenance schedule.......................................................................................19
Table 7: Network components.......................................................................................................20
Table 8: test result..........................................................................................................................27

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Different network types....................................................................................................5
Figure 2: Token ring structure.........................................................................................................7
Figure 3: Ethernet network..............................................................................................................8
Figure 4: Network models and protocols used................................................................................8
Figure 5: Network design..............................................................................................................15
Figure 6: user’s opinion on network design..................................................................................16
Figure 7: Configuring DSL for connection with external WAN service.......................................21
Figure 8: RIP configuration on router in Cisco packet tracer........................................................21
Figure 9: Ethernet address on router..............................................................................................22
Figure 10: VLAN database in main switch of the network...........................................................22
Figure 11: IP address of the printer shared in finance department................................................23
Figure 12: Static IP address on the computers...............................................................................23
Figure 13: IP addressing on server machine..................................................................................24
Figure 14: Managing HTTPS connections and files......................................................................24
Figure 15: Enabling and mapping DNS address for servers..........................................................25
Figure 16: Configuring email services..........................................................................................25
Figure 17: Managing FTP users and permissions..........................................................................26
Figure 18: Managing IP address permission through firewall.......................................................26
Figure 19: Ping successful for other computers in same department............................................28
Figure 20: Connection from finance department is successful to web server...............................29
Figure 21: PING command............................................................................................................31

Introduction
A computer network is referred to a digital telecommunication network that is used for sharing
resources and data among the network user. In this present report fundamentals of networking
will be studied along with various components such as network types, topologies, standards etc.
for knowing its benefits and constraints. For the given organization, a LAN network is designed
and implemented using the Cisco packet tracers. The present report will also study about the
various hardware and software components used in the network implementation. The report also
explains about different servers and protocols present in the network. The present network is
tested for its performance and recommendation for the potential enhancement of the network is
provided for the organization.
1

LO1
P1 Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network types and standards.
Network systems
Table 1: Different network system
Types
Network
systems
Description Constraints and
benefit
Representation
Client-
server
network
system
Here, the computers in the
network uses a server for
controlling and allocation
of resources and data.
Communication and
sessions with clients is
complete through server
(Peifferet al 2013.).
Benefit:
 Security is high
 Centralized
network
management
Constraints:
 Performance is
low
 Server
Dependency is
high
Peer-to-peer
network
system
In these network,
workstation is connected
with each other for
communication and flow
of data without a server for
controlling the operations
in the network
Benefit:
 Cost effective
 High
performance
Constraints:
 Security is less
 Complex
network
management
2

Network topologies
Types of
topology
Description Benefit and
Constraints
Representation
Star
topology
In this type of network
Workstation and devices
are linked with a
centralized device that can
be a hub and Switch.
Benefit:
 Performance is
high
 Maintenance is
easy
Constraints:
 High cable
requirement
makes it costlier
 Dependency on
the centralized
device
Ring
topology
Ring format is used for
connecting all the
computing devices in the
network.
Benefit
 cost effective
 implementation
is easy
Constraints
 Scalability is
low
 Failure in single
will fail the
entire network
communication
Mesh computing devices present benefits
3

topology in the network links with
various another computer.
 Many devices
can be
connected
 Cost effective
Constraints
 High
maintenance
cost
 Structuring is
complex
Bus
topology
All the devices in the
network establishes
communication with the
main serverusing a single
cable known as node.
Benefit
 Simple
structuring
 Cable required is
low therefore
cost of
implementation
is less
Constraints
 High load on the
cable
 Network
breakdownif
cable breaks
Network types
4

Figure 1: Different network types
Table 2: Network types
Network type Description Benefits and constraints
Personal area network All the personal devices when are
linked with each other
Benefit
 Structuring is simple
 Instant data sharing
 cost effective network
Constraints
 Bandwidth limitations
 Security control
Local Area Network All the devices in the network of a
small organization are connected in
LAN network using switches and
hubs.
Benefit
 Easy to establish
 High data transfer
 network management is
easy.
Constraints
 Size is limited
 For managing the network,
5

Network administrator is
needed.
Wide Area Network Networking is done over of two or
more LANs network linked together.
Data are transfer in high speed using
satellite links or phone lines.
Benefit
 Performance is high
 Scalability is offered
Constraints
 Security is low
 Implementation is costly
and hard.
 Structural complexity
Metropolitan Area
Network
MAN is larger in size then LAN and
ranges over a large campus, city. It
can be operated and maintained by a
single owner.
Benefit
 Network security is high
 speed networking is proper
Constraints
 Complexity in structuring
6

P2 Explain the impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth requirements.
Network technology
Token Ring Network: A token ring network is a commonly a local area network where all
the computing devices are linked either though a ring or star topology. It passes logical token
from one host to another (Millet,2015). Host having a token is capable of sending dataand
releasing of thetokens is done only when the receipt of data is inveterate. Three-byte data
frame is used for data transmission and resource utilization. In this type of network server
requirement is not necessary making it a cost-effective structure. Token Ring network has the
ability to perform concurrent operation such as data transmission.
Figure 2: Token ring structure
(Source: http://www.allsyllabus.com/aj/note/Computer_Science/, 2018)
Ethernet: In this type of network,various networking devices are inter linked with one
another using different cables. This network also used Network Interface Card for
connectivity of the devices and the internet (Rivaud, et al 2014).Data Transmission in
ethernet is done by using various technologies. The network structuring in Ethernet is simple
and quite easy to implement and understand.
7

Figure 3: Ethernet network
(source: https://www.elprocus.com, 2018)
Network Communication
TCP/IP and OSI Model: OSI system is a theoretical model that has seven layers
Interconnected with one another using different protocols. While on other side, Transmission
protocol and internet protocols (TCP/IP) is a four-layerstructure that is used for
telecommunication and it is a communication-oriented model (TCP/IP and OSI model, 2018).
Figure 4: Network models and protocols used
8