Scenario
You have been appointed by OptiNet Ltd in order to provide a solution to a problem of connecting and establishing a WAN network between the head branch in London and three other branch offices in Rome, Berlin and Paris. OptiNet Ltd need to use suitable technology to connect all the branch offices and provide data/voice (IP Telephony) network between them. The company requirements are recorded below:
Branch |
Number of devices |
Network |
Address |
||
|
||
London |
110 network devices including 40 IP Phones, one local file server |
38.25.21.0 /24 |
Headquarter |
and common web, DNS, email servers. |
|
Rome |
45 network devices including one local file server and 20 IP |
38.25.22.0 /24 |
Phones |
||
Berlin |
75 network devices including one local file server and 45 IP |
38.25.23.0 /24 |
Phones |
||
Paris |
85 network devices including one local file server and 30 IP |
38.25.24.0 /24 |
Phones |
||
Branches need to be able to communicate with each other data/voice, including the main web server and mail server which is placed in the headquarter (London). Your company uses a public IP address between branches 205.186.181.160/28.
Task 1
Understand the impact of WAN technologies
1-1. Discuss with the aid of diagrams where possible different WAN Technologies available in the market, evaluate different WAN technologies which is suitable for the above network scenario in terms of (Scalability and cost effectiveness)? [P1.1, D1]
1-2. IP telephony is considered to be traffic intensive application on a network, analyse traffic intensive services and performance in a view of network implementation used in above scenario?
[P1.2]
1-3. WAN is open to multiple security threats and performance degradation; Explain WAN concerns and provide recommendation in terms of network reliability, security and performance? Provide critical evaluation of various trust systems. [P1.3, P1.4, M1]
3. In respect to achieve M1, you need to make effective judgement with appropriate theories and methods have been discussed and evaluate to the given criteria with an effective approach to study and research the given scenario.
4. In order to achieve D1, you need have made a detailed comparison and evaluation WAN technologies that are available in the market in view of the given scenario with the given criteria (scalability and cost) generate the advantages/disadvantages of the given technology
Task 2: Be able to design WAN infrastructures
2-1. Design with the help of a diagram of the WAN network infrastructure in order to meet the requirement of the given scenario, design should include: [P2.1, D2]
2. Technology / Topology: Discuss WAN technology used to fulfil the requirements including the topology used, IP address allocation, subnet Ids, IP address range, and Broadcast Ids for each department
3. Devices: Explain the devices used (eq. Switches, routers, cables, etc..) and possible alternative
4. Communications: suited devices to users, supportive of quality of service
5. Users: concept of system growth
2-2. Explain your choice of WAN network device showing the relevancy of your components and design in terms of (Scalability, Cost and Availability) [P2.2, M2]
- Discuss your network topology (technology)
- Applications: security requirements, quality of service needs.
- Users & Scalability: able to support device growth
5. In respect to achieve M2, you need to made effective judgement including a variety of methods and concepts have been applied and a range of sources of information used.
6. In order to achieve D2, there is a need to make a plan in which you have accounted for the unforeseen and accommodated the plan with essential devices/configuration, comprising alternative approach and critical evaluation of procedures, demonstrating autonomy and independence.
Task 3: Be able to implement WAN infrastructures
3-1. The director of the company has asked you to develop and configure the WAN infrastructure to meet your design. The application of your design should involve: [P3.1, P3.2, D3]
- Devices: sample related configuration of Switches, Routers (a full configuration must beattached in the appendix)
- Security: any sample configuration with description of (Routing protocol, ACLs, VLANmembership) etc.
- Technology: Network design, DHCP, IP Telephony related configuration.
- Services: Document and show configuration of DNS, email, web servers.
- Documentation: Network diagram, Devices configuration tables
3-2. In order to finalise the process, show the suitability of you network design, review and test your network, your test document should include: [P3.3, M3]
- Services: testing the DNS, email and web servers.
- Communication: IP Telephony calls including connectivity between branches.
- Documentation: connectivity and procedure to test host connectivity with the branch andover the WAN link.
In respect to achieve M3, you have to applied and effective and creative thinking in unfamiliar contexts including self-evaluation in solving problems, generate methods and approach in the solution given and met the deadline to submit the tasks and achieved the unit assessment criteria.
In order to achieve D3, you should have made a suitable network implementation to fulfil the requirement of the given scenario, which comprising a range of devices and technologies in presenting the solution by using relevant technical language accurately.
Task 4: Be able to manage the WAN infrastructure
- There are multiple tools which is available in the market in order to monitor the performance and the network security. Discuss the use and importance of the network that monitoring the tools, also include the examples of the tools to troubleshoot the network.
- Wide area network is known to open for various external threats. Build a report to in order to enhance the network term that are security, reliability and performance. (P4.2)
- Evaluate the performance of your design in view of the technology you selected. [P4.3, M3]
Task 5: Lab work
Use a network simulator in order to simulate the designed WAN network including the following:
- Building and configuration of devices and services within the WAN.
- Include all configuration scripts and network simulation file in your project appendices.