TCP/IP Networking: Evaluating and Recommending a Network Design Model

This report provides an evaluation and analysis of TCP/IP networking design methodologies, focusing on hierarchical and flat network designs. The hierarchical network design, with its layered approach (access, distribution, and core layers), is compared to the flat network design, where all devices operate at a similar level. The report highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each model, considering factors such as scalability, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and security. The hierarchical model is recommended for both large and small organizations due to its superior performance, scalability, and security features. The flat network design is noted for its simplicity and low cost but is deemed unsuitable for growing organizations due to its limitations in handling network traffic and fault tolerance. The report concludes that the hierarchical network design methodology is the more effective and reliable choice for meeting the diverse network requirements of modern organizations. Desklib provides access to this and many other solved assignments.

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Introduction
The performance of every network in an organization is determine by the physical arrangement and
logical design of the network. Therefore, a good and quality network design should achieve the main
objectives which are: Scalability, availability, security, easy management and troubleshooting, quality
performance and reliability.
The focus of this paper therefore is to analyze various networking design by looking at their usability,
advantages and disadvantages and finally recommending the best network design ought to be used for
the next assessment.
Network Design Evaluation and Analysis
Hierarchical network design
This is a networking design that breaks down the structure of the organizational network into layers
based on the network functionalities (Academy, 2014). This kind of network design model can be a three
layered hierarchical model meant for large organizations or a two-layered hierarchical model for small
organizations (Edrawsoft, 2018). The three layered model constitute of three layers which are: access
layer, distribution layer and the core layer as shown below.
The two-layered hierarchical network model on the other hand consist of two layers in which both the
core and distribution layers in the three layered model are collapsed into one layer hence the model
consist of a collapsed core and access layers as shown below (Academy, 2014).

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Each layer in the hierarchical network design performs a specific function and devices are placed on the
network based on these functionalities (Etutorials, 2018). The functionalities for the three layers are:
Access layer – Connects end users to the network.
Distribution layer – Acts as a bridge between Access and Core layers and it also provides connections
based on the defined policies in the network.
Core Layer – Enhances faster data transfer and communication between distribution layer devices in a
network.
Hierarchical network methodology is considered as one of the most scalable, reliable, cost effective,
secured and easy to manage and maintain network (AYYU, 2015). The only challenge facing the
implementation of such network is lack of adequate expertise. Due to its many abilities and features,
this model is therefore said to be suitable for both large and small organizations.
Flat Network Design Model
This is a networking design in which all the networking devices operates within a similar level in the
network and it is meant for small organizations (Fernandez, 2011). In this network topology, the
network depends on a single transmission media in which all the devices are connected to in order to
access the network (Williams, 2011). The structure of this design is as shown below.

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According to Williams, 2011, this methodology is of great benefit to small organizations as a result of its
simplicity in terms of installation and arrangement as well as it requires very little costs hence
accommodating small organizations budget (Williams, 2011). Contrary to its benefit, this network design
is considered to be unreliable in terms of handling network traffic and being fault tolerant. This is
because the more the devices are added into the network the poorer its performance becomes. Also
having a single bus as the main transmission media makes its prone to failure hence not suitable for a
growing organization (Academy, 2014).
Summary and Recommendations
Based on the evaluation of the two models above, it is therefore concluded that there exist quite a huge
difference between the two in terms of physical arrangement and performance rate. And with
hierarchical design providing maximum performance, enhanced scalability and availability of the
network as well as being most secured due to the ability to filter the network traffic, makes it better
than the flat network design methodology according to cisco (Academy, 2014).
This aspect makes hierarchical network design methodology as the most effective and reliable network
design that supports both large and small organizations since it meets all the network requirements that
every organization needs.

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References
Academy, C. (2014). Hierarchical Network Design Overview (1.1) > Cisco Networking Academy
Connecting Networks Companion Guide: Hierarchical Network Design. Retrieved September 2,
2018, from ciscopress.com: http://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?
p=2202410&seqNum=4
AYYU. (2015, June 19). Hierarchical Network Design. NETWORKING, Tips & Tricks, 1-5. Retrieved
September 2, 2018, from https://www.hitechmv.com/hierarchical-network-design/
Edrawsoft. (2018). Hierarchical Network Design - Access Layer of the Hierarchical Network Design Model.
Retrieved September 2, 2018, from edrawsoft.com: https://www.edrawsoft.com/Hierarchical-
Network-Design.php
Etutorials. (2018). Hierarchical Topology :: Chapter 10. LAN Switched Network Design :: Lan switching
first-step :: Networking :: eTutorials.org. Retrieved September 2, 2018, from
http://etutorials.org:
http://etutorials.org/Networking/Lan+switching+first-step/Chapter+10.+LAN+Switched+Networ
k+Design/Hierarchical+Topology/
Fernandez, J. (2011, December). What to consider when moving to a flat network topology. Computer
Weekly. Retrieved September 2, 2018, from https://www.computerweekly.com/answer/What-
to-consider-when-moving-to-a-flat-network-topology
Williams, A. (2011, June 24). 3 Advantages of a Flat Network - SiliconANGLE. CIO Intelligence, 1-4.
Retrieved September 2, 2018, from https://siliconangle.com/2011/06/24/cio-intelligence-3-
advantages-of-a-flat-network/