You were selected to design a small peer-to-peer network for a new facility that has five computers and a networked printer. Each desk computer must have a wired network connection. The rooms should have wireless access for mobile devices.
For this assignment, you will utilize Gliffy,Links to an external site. a software application to create a basic network diagram depicting a star topology with a switch as the central communications node. The focus here is on the network communications equipment for this LAN. Include only that equipment and end node devices on the network diagram. There is no need to draw out the layout of the physical space.
In addition to providing a network diagram, you must also provide a short essay that describes the LAN equipment that is being used and its connections. In the essay, be sure to explain why each device is positioned where it is. While this is the focus of the response, be sure to also briefly state how the work of the users in the office influenced your design. For example, if the business that uses the LAN is a small video-based news streaming service, they will probably need more performance from both their network and ISP than a small rental property management office might need.
Recommended reading: Understanding Routers, Switches, and Network Hardware (How-to Geek)Links to an external site.
Gliffy
Gliffy is the diagramming software you will utilize for this activity.
Tip: Use a free online email account such as Gmail when using online forms. This will help limit the amount of spam received at your primary email address.
Within Gliffy, use network images for this assignment. To access, select More Shapes (bottom left menu) > Network > Business.
To familiarize yourself with this application, review the Gliffy Online Help (Gliffy).Links to an external site.
Requirements
Depict a star topology that uses Ethernet.
Provide a ‘cloud’ shape or another symbol for the ISP WAN service. Label the symbol as ‘DSL,’ ‘Cable,’ or ‘Fiber Optic.’
Connect to the ISP service using a cable modem, DSL modem, or, if using fiber optic service, an optical network terminal (ONT). Do not use a combination device such as a modem/router/switch.
Connect the LAN router (wireless router) to the ISP WAN service device. The LAN router provides many capabilities, including DHCP (Networking Computing),Links to an external site. NAT translation (Networking Computing),Links to an external site. Port Forwarding (Techopedia),Links to an external site. QoS (Networking Computing),Links to an external site. and software firewall services. Do not use a router/switch combination device; however, a router with integrated wireless capabilities is acceptable.
Use a managed switch as a centrally-located device to provide wired network connectivity for the six end nodes (five desktop computers and a printer). Connect the switch directly to the main LAN router.
Label all network devices in the LAN (brand and model names are acceptable but not required).
Connect the six end nodes directly to the central switch.
Label the specific type of physical media (cables) being used to connect the six end nodes to the central switch, the central switch to the LAN router, and the LAN router to the ISP service device. Also, label the type of cable used to connect the ISP device to the ISP WAN. This will be coaxial (cable), fiber optic (fiber), or telephone wire (DSL), depending on the type of ISP service.
Use a screen capture tool such as SnagitLinks to an external site. or the Microsoft Snipping ToolLinks to an external site. to copy your diagram and paste the copied image into a Word document below the written essay. When you do, be sure to copy so that the diagram and labels are readable, i.e., not too small.
Optional:
Provide a separate network firewall hardware device in your diagram. Locate the firewall between the ISP WAN device and the LAN router.
To alleviate some of the workloads placed on the LAN router, you could disable the wireless functionality of the LAN router and provide a separate Wireless Access Point (WAP) to provide wireless network access for mobile devices (e.g., cell phones, iPads, etc.).
Connecting the Wireless Access Point (WAP) directly to the primary router will enable the isolation of the wireless LAN (WLAN).
Deliverable
Your application response is expected to be original.
In a document, compose an essay consisting of three paragraphs (250-300 words). This assignment must be in essay format with an introductory paragraph, body, and conclusion.
Formatting requirements: Use double line spacing, 1″ margins, indent the first line of each new paragraph by .5″, and include your essay title at the top with center alignment.
To see the formatting, refer to this Example Essay (DOCX).Download Example Essay (DOCX).
For help formatting, refer to Word Help Center (Microsoft).Links to an external site.
If you refer to ideas on a website, be sure to include the link to the source. If this is not an electronic source with a link, then list as much information as possible.
Insert the screen capture onto the same document.
Your paper will automatically be evaluated through Turnitin when you submit your assignment in this activity.
