Network Design Proposal

Prepared for:
University of Maryland University College

Prepared by:

I. Physical Network Design

A. Network Topology
Business Needs
Since 1947, UMUC has been providing quality education to the American as well as international students. UMUC is always developing new ideas and ventures to enhance the quality of the education that it’s students receive. In an effort to expand it’s academic and cultural knowledge to the growing student population UMUC has recently purchased an building and is moving forward with the plan to utilize it as a computer education and lab facility. The building is named as “ Library and Communication Center”. Establishment of this facility will provide the current and future students and faculty members to gain and impart computer knowledge in an environment that is technologically proficient in meeting the demands of the ever-increasing computer skills.
The purpose of this document is to identify the requirements, develop an overall design and specifications for the Library and Communication Center to be completely functional.
Proposed Topology
Select one or more topologies to use for this design. This section should be used to provide details of the selected infrastructure or equipment. Include the model, manufacturer, features, and cost.
In order to develop a good network layout plan, we have to first understand the layout of the building. The Library and Communication Center is a 50-year-old building. The specifications of the building is as follows:

Area | Measurements | Length | 240 ft | Width | 90 ft | Height | 30 ft |

The layout of the building is designed to provide the optimum use of the facility in the following way:

1st Floor | 2nd Floor | | | Computer Lab (Room 1,2,4) | Computer Lab (Room 1,2,5) | Server Room (1 server room) | Server Room (1 server room) | Closet (In each computer lab) | Closet (In each computer lab) | Library | Student Computer Lab | Office Rooms (4 Office rooms) | Office Rooms (4 Office rooms) |

The other buildings in the campus are connected to the Administration and Data Center Building. This is the core of our LAN. The topology used between this building and other buildings in the campus is Star Topology and the Data center is the core. The building in which we are establishing network “ Library and Communication Center” will be connected to the Data Center.

In order to accomplish the task with the least expense and still achieving the maximum performance level, star topology will be used for the network layout.

Justification
Implementation of the star topology will provide the best performance in a cost effective manner for the university. There are several computers in the computer lab and library. A glitch in one of the end devices should not pose a hindrance to other devices in the facility. In a star topology, if a component of the network malfunctions, it does not impact the other components of the network. Hence providing an environment to the students and faculty to resume their work in a different end device, if one end device malfunctions. For the same reason, it provides easy installation and removal of components from the network.

B. Network Media
Business Needs
The purpose of the Library and Communication Center is to provide a top-notch service to the students and faculty in terms of Internet speed, data transfer etc. In order to achieve this goal, careful selection of the network media is a must. Right selection of cables means that the users of the facility will receive better service in terms of Internet speed, reliability etc. Keeping in mind the size of the building and the expected Internet speed of 40 Mbps, use of fiber optic cable and UTP cable will prove to be most beneficial.
Proposed Network Media
The proposed Network Media for the network layout in the building is as follows: Media | Approx. Length | Price per Unit | Total | | | | | Fiber Optic Cable | 1000 ft. | $200 per 1000 ft. | $200.00 | UTP Cable CAT 5 e | 1000 ft | $50 per 1000 ft | $ 50.00 |

The images below show how the over layout of the network.

The layout in the individual rooms is demonstrated by the images below:

The switch in each floor will be connected to the main switch with a fiber optic cable. The wireless hub will also be connected to the main switch with fiber optic cable. All the other connections will be made using the UTP Cable Cat 5 e. Justification The segment length of a fiber optic cable is 10km and farther (single mode). This allows us to use it over long distances. In the single mode the speed is between 100Mbps to 100Gbps. Fiber optic cable is also beneficial because it provides better security. Fiber optic cables cannot be tapped. Fiber Optic cable is not susceptible to EMI and also provides higher data than coaxial cable. Use of UTP cable inside the building lowers our cost. The UTP cable is easily available, widely used and easy to install. C. Network Devices Business Needs Selection of best network devices base on our business needs will provide the best service to our students and faculty members. The building will have several officers with single computer, 6 computer labs, 1 student computer lab, and 1 library and server room. The router and switches selected will provide the optimum performance. The proposed product is mentioned below. Proposed Network Devices The following table provides the quantity price and make and model of the devices required. Device | Make and Model | Quantity | Price | Total Price | | | | | | Router | Cisco 3825 | 2 | $3990.00 | $7980.00 | Main Switch | Cisco Catalyst 4500 E 48 Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch | 1 | $6432.99 | $46432.99 | Connecting Switch | Cisco SG 3300-10-10 port | 28 | $132.76 | $3717.28 | Server | Windows server 2003 | 10 | $4000.00 | $40,000.00 | | | | | | The routers in the Library and Communication center building will be connected to the Data Center Building. The routers in our building will serve as the access point. The routers will be connected to the Main Switch. The main switch will distribute connections to other switches in the building, servers and wireless hub. The 28 SG 3300 switches will allow us to create a different network for general public, faculty and students. The location of each network device is contained in the picture below. We have 1 Cisco 4500E switch. All other switches are Cisco SG3300. In the 1st floor the servers are in the Server room, Computer Lab 1,2 and 4 and the library. In the 2nd floor the servers are in the server room, Computer lab 1,2 and 5 and the student computer lab. Justification The selected network devices will provide optimum performance and will meet the business needs. Many academic journals have praised the performance of cisco products. “Taking cisco to a new era” is an article that was published in “Strategic Direction” in 2015. [2]This article accolades the design and practical implications of all cisco products. D. Network Security Devices Business Needs Cyber security threats are increasing on a daily basis. Schools and Universities are no exception. Because the university contains sensitive personal and financial information of thousands of students and faculty members, securing a network is essential to this network design proposal. Proposed Network Security Devices To protect and secure our network we will utilize Cisco NAC appliance and Firewall. The NAC is easy to deploy and recognizes users, their devices and their roles in the network. The NAC enforces security policy by blocking, isolating and repairing non-compliant devices. The NAC server is connected to the main switch as shown below in the picture.

Justification The NAC and firewall will provide the security for our network. Rush Harvey Computer Firm, a provider of Internet and computer services claims that Firewall is our first line of defense. NAC and Firewall protect us from the initial attack or threats. E. Computer Systems Business Needs Library and Communication Center will require a large number of computer systems. The brand of the computer hardware and the operating system that we choose should provide best performance for the users. Other than computer labs, students will be doing their assignments in the Student Computer Lab and the Library. The quantity and brands of the products are mentioned further in this proposal. Proposed Computer Systems Room | Number of Computers Required | | | Server room (1st floor) | 1 | Computer lab 1 (1st floor) | 26 | Computer Lab 2 (1st floor) | 26 | Computer Lab 4 (1st floor) | 26 | Office 1 (1st floor) | 1 | Office 3 (1st floor) | 1 | Office 4 (1st floor) | 1 | Office 5 (1st floor) | 5 | Library (1st floor) | 15 | Class 3 (1st floor) | 1 | Class 5 (1st floor) | 1 | Computer Lab 2 (2nd floor) | 26 | Computer Lab 5 (2nd floor) | 26 | Student Computer Lab (2nd floor) | 25 | Class 3 (2nd floor) | 1 | Class 4 (2nd floor) | 1 | Office 1 (2nd floor) | 1 | Office HR (2nd floor) | 1 | Office 3 (2nd floor) | 1 | Office 6 (2nd floor) | 1 | Server Room (2nd floor) | 1 | Computer Lab 1 (2nd floor) | 26 | Total | 214 | The table below displays the exact amount of monitors, CPU’s and other products required. Devices | Quantity | Make and Model | Price per Unit | Total | | | | | | Monitors | 205 | Dell Ultra sharp; U2417HA | $322.05 | $66,020.25 | CPU’s | 214 | Dell Inspiron Intel core 15 | $629.99 | $134,817.86 | Key Board | 205 | Dell 2GR91 Slim USB | $15.18 | $3,111.90 | Mouse | 205 | Dell 9RRC7 black optical USB | $8.24 | $1689.20 | Because the world wide use and it’s compatibility with almost all the apps and programs, we will use the Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System. The location of the devices is shown in the images below.

. Justification The facility is involved in teaching the computer sciences and providing library and student computer lab. The hardware and software proposed will meet the day-to-day needs of the facility.

Bibliography [1] No Author, (2003,Mar 14). Cisco Press [Online]. Available at: http://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=31276&seqNum=4
[2] No Author, “Taking Cisco to a new Era”, Strategic Direction, vol. 31, issue 11, 2015.