In this post we will investigate the different components needed to set up a network. We will investigate specific customer requirements to create suitable network designs.
You will use our online network design tool to create these designs using the relevant hardware and cables.
Before attempting this task, you may want to read more about the different network components and their purpose.
Customer A
Customer A is a recruitment agency that employs 7 members of staff working in a small office.
- They would like to have enough desktops for each employee to be able to work at the same time.
- They would like all files to be stored on a central server.
- Each employee is provided with a laptop or smartphone which they will need to connect to the network using a wireless connection.
- They should be able to access the internet.
- They want to have a secure connection that prevents unauthorised requests entering the network.
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Customer B
Customer B is web design agency that employs 5 members of staff working in a small office.
- They would like to have enough desktops for each employee to be able to work at the same time.
- They would like to connect a printer to the network.
- They would like all files to be stored on a central server.
- They should be able to access the internet.
- They would like to set up email accounts using their own email server.
- They design webpages for their customers and would like to host them on their own servers.
- They would like a centralised solution to back up all their files.
- They need a secure connection that prevents unauthorised access to the network.
Customer C
Customer C is a primary school that has 3 IT classrooms with 8 desktop computers per room.
- They would like all desktops to be connected in a local area network.
- They would also like the 5 teachers to have wireless access to the LAN using their own laptops.
- They would like all students’ files to be stored on a central server.
- They would like a centralised backup solution to backup all students files every night.
- All desktops and laptops should be able to access the internet.
- They would like to have a printer in each IT room and a centralised approach to organise printer credits and print queues.
- They would like to set up email accounts using their own email server.
- They would like to apply specific education filters to restrict students access to specific webpages.
- They would like to improve the performance of the network by temporary caching webpages that have been accessed by students.
- They need a secure connection that prevents unauthorised access to the network.
Solution...
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Solution...
The solution for this challenge is available to full members!Find out how to become a member:
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Solution...
You are viewing this solution as part of your full membership subscription!Network Design for Customer A
The following network design is based on a star topology, using a switch as the central node.
Network Design for Customer B
The following network design is also based on a star topology. This type of client/server network demonstrates the use of different types of dedicated central servers such as file servers, web servers, e-mail servers and backup servers.
Network Design for Customer C
This network has too many devices to use a single star topology. Instead a “switch-star” topology is used. A central switch is used to connect several switches together (e.g. in this case one per computer room).