Acme WAN Design

Acme WAN Design Bradley Monninger University of Phoenix

Acme WAN Design Acme WAN Design Introduction

After reviewing the system requirements that were outlined in Appendix A, I have determined that the Acme Company would need to deploy a WAN to interconnect their sites in, which are located in the U.S., as well as China. Furthermore, these sites consist of the companys headquarters, as well as their engineering department, which are both located in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, the company also has three distribution centers that are located in Chicago, Phoenix, and New York, while having their manufacturing plant located in China. Even though these sites are located in diversely different locations, the need to keep all of the sites connected is important, since this would allow each of the companys sites to communicate between one another. By doing this, each of the companys sites would have the ability to carry-out video conferencing or voice calls, which would essentially enable the company to perform their weekly meetings more efficiently by allowing each of the sites to connect remotely. On-the-other-hand, the company would also need to establish a secure infrastructure in, which would require each of the companys departments to be grouped together logically in an attempt to maintain security. Nevertheless, these needs could not be addressed properly without the incorporation of new networking equipment to perform the companys communications, while at the same time implementing an effective means to transfer data between each of the companys locations through the use of a dedicated data line. Therefore, I will discuss the fundamentals of the Acme WAN design in further detail by outlining the protocols, as well as components needed to establish a functional networking system that would essentially allow the company to carry-out its operations more effectively.

Acme WAN Design Logical Network Platform and Connection Types Based on the companys need to organize their network logically, I have designed a diagram that illustrates the distinction between each of the companys departments in the sense that each site is characterized by its class, which in-turn could be used to assign specific rights or privileges to each of the companys departments. As a result, this would increase the level of security for the network as-a-whole, since one could monitor, as well as maintain the WAN based on each departments required use of the network. Furthermore, this can be better conveyed by reviewing Figure 1 below, since it provides a visual overview of the recommended WAN configuration being proposed.

Figure 1 Logical network diagram

Acme WAN Design

Even though the diagram above provides a general idea of how the WAN would be designed, the ability for each of the networks locations to connect one another, as well as the methods that are used to transfer data amongst the network would have to be based on each sites role within the company. By doing this, the use of different types of networking technology would have to be implemented into the networks design, since this would enable the network to function in the manner that the company demands. Nevertheless, each site would communicate with one another through the use of a distributed WAN configuration, which would essentially allow each site to operate independently from the one another in the event of a complete network failure due to the fact that each site would have its own server or database system. To accomplish this, the connection methods for each of the U.S. based sites would be handled via T1 lines, which it-turn would allow both voice, as well as data communications to be possible throughout all of the U.S. based sites. However, to enable the companys manufacturing plant that is located in China to be able to function in a similar fashion, the use of a satellite connection would need to be established in order to make it possible for data to be transferred between the companys headquarters and the manufacturing plant in China. By doing this, the manufacturing plant would have to communicate directly with the companys headquarters in order to communicate with the rest of the companys sites, since the headquarters location would be the only site other than the China location to be fitted with a satellite connection. Recommended Telecommunications System Based on the proposed WAN design, the recommended telecommunications system for the Acme Company would be that of the VoIP system, since this format would provide a low-cost, as well as efficient means of communicating amongst its geographically diverse locations. In addition, the VoIP setup would enable the company to utilize their T1 lines, since it would allow

Acme WAN Design them to conduct both voice communications and video conferences between all of their sites. Furthermore, the VoIP system would eliminate the need for the company to have to pay toll-

charges on both of their domestic and international calls, since VoIP technology uses the Internet Protocol to carry-out its task via the Internet instead of using the conventional land lines as in the PBX system. All-in-all, the use of the VoIP configuration would allow the company to make and receive its phone calls in a digital format, since both the companys data network and their voice network would be combined into a single T1 connection. IP Address Scheme For the Acme Companys network, I recommend that a class B IP addressing scheme be used in order to meet the needs of the companys various sites, as well as the number of hosts that would be needed at each of the network locations. As a result, the company would be able to operate their network using an IP address range from 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255, which would essentially allow the company to maintain 65,000 hosts that would be able to operate on 16,000 different networks. By doing this, the company would be able to designate each site with its own IP addresses, which would essentially make it easier to classify each of the companys network locations. In addition, the company would also be able to assign various subnets to its networks in an attempt to increase the number of available IP addresses that could be used. As a result, the company would need to use a default subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, since this subnet mask would permit the company to operate on 254 subnets with the ability access 254 hosts per subnet. By doing this, the range of subnets that the company would have available would be from 255.255.0.0 to 255.255.255.255. However, each subnet, as well as network would have to designate one IP address for its broadcasting address in, which would be the network number of the IP address, as well as the last host number for that IP address. As a result, this would reduce

Acme WAN Design the number of available hosts for each subnet by two, since one host address is used for classifying the host, while another host is used to designate the subnets broadcasting address. Nevertheless, the use of this IP addressing scheme would be sufficient for the company, since it would provide a number of networks, hosts, and subnets that would meet the companys existing, as well as future networking needs. VLAN Configuration Due to the companys logically organized network, the use of a VLAN would be need to be established to allow the companys networks to function as if they were connected in a physical

format, which is due to the companys sites being located on different broadcast domains, as well as in different geographically located areas. Nonetheless, these sites could be structured logically by designing a VLAN that manages each of the companys departments based on their port numbers. By doing this, one would be able to control or manage each departments network from a central location. In addition, the company would also be able to designate various rights to each of its departments, since the ability to classify them by groups would enable the company to implement a higher-level of control over their WAN. Network Equipment Requirements Based on the discussed network proposal, the need to implement various types of equipment would be needed in order to get the network up-and-running. Therefore, each of the companys U.S. based sites would all need to have a CSU/DSU installed to allow the T1 connection to be able to be accessed effectively, which in-turn would also allow the company to utilize the networks telecommunication services as well. After the CSU/DSU is installed, a multiplexer would also need to be implemented into each of the U.S. locations, since this would enable the telephone systems to be able to operate through the T1 lines. Furthermore, a router, as well as

Acme WAN Design PCM encoder would need to be incorporated into each of the U.S. based sites in order to meet

the network component requirements needed to access the T1 connection successfully. However, the companys headquarters, as well as the manufacturing plant that is located in China would both need to have a satellite dish installed, which would also require a satellite WAN module as well in order to permit the satellite to transmit and receive data between the two sites. Once these components are installed, the last item to install in order to get the China location operational would be that of a router and a VoIP convertor, which would essentially complete the network components that were needed in order for the company to carry-out both its data and voice requirements. On-the-other-hand, it would be beneficial for each of the companys sites to have wireless network access available for use, since this feature would permit mobility throughout the network. By doing this, one would be able to access his or her laptop to carry-out video conferencing, which would deem very useful when conducting the companys weekly meetings. Even though there are additional components that could be further explained, the ones that were already mentioned would satisfy the basic components that are needed to establish the companys WAN at all of its locations. Router Protocols The various router protocols that would be used in each of the WANs sites would enable the network to operate both efficiently, as well as effectively, since they are used to carry-out error checking tasks, point-to-point connections, and would also allow the network to be maintained based on the companys system requirements. As a result, the company would need to incorporate the designated WAN protocols into their routers, which are PPP, HDLC, and the Frame-Relay protocol. Even though these are only the three basic routing protocols, they are

Acme WAN Design essentially the most significant, since these routing protocols are required in order for data to be transferred throughout the network. Wireless Technology Recommendations As previously stated, the company would benefit from the use of Wi-Fi accessibility at each of its network locations, since wireless technology would promote flexibility in regards to how the network is constructed at each site, as well as the capabilities that could be achieved by allowing the networks users to be able to use their laptops to connect wirelessly. By doing this, the networks users would be able to be more productive in the sense that they could access the network from any point within the building, which would particularly be a significant quality

when they are conducting video conferences over the companys network. As you an imaging, it would be difficult to carry-out a meeting if all of the companys employees were unable to meet in their sites conference room due to the lack of wireless network access. Nonetheless, the addition of wireless access-points, as well as wireless NICs would be necessary in order to establish the basic fundamentals for deploying a Wi-Fi ready system at each location. Nonetheless, by deploying a wireless network within each of the companys sites, the need to consider network security would also be essential, which is discussed further in the network security section of this proposal. Network Security Securing the companys network is a challenging task; however, this could be accomplished by incorporating the necessary security elements into the network in, which are designed to prevent network intrusions from outside entities, as well as to prevent an attack from a potential internal source. Therefore, I recommend that the company establish WPA encryption on each of its wireless systems, since this would prevent an outside source from viewing the information

Acme WAN Design being transmitted throughout the wireless network. In addition, the company would also need to implement a security policy in, which would require its users to abide by a series of strict rules

regarding network use that are designed to prevent user account information from being obtained by unauthorized individuals, as well as to prevent security breaches from occurring by restricting the actions that could cause vulnerabilities to transpire within the network. Nevertheless, the most important security elements that should be included in the WANs design are an effective anti-virus software, as well as network monitoring tool, which would need to be updated on a constant basis. In addition, the company would also need to incorporate an advanced firewall for each of its sites. However, the use of dynamic routing, additional user identification methods, URL filtering, policy-based integrity enforcement, file-level encryption, user-rights management, a good intrusion detection system, an effective physical, as well as logical security platform, restricting the use of unnecessary ports from being used, and various other security features would also need to be incorporated into the proposed WAN, since these security elements, as well as the various other in-depth security mechanisms would increase the overall effectiveness of the network. Even though I have provided a good number of essential security recommendations, the need to adjust these security recommendations over time is important, since the methods used by intruders are constantly evolving. As a result, one would need to enhance his or her network accordingly in order to protect the networks operational status, as well as the data that it contains safe from corruption, theft, or loss. Conclusion After reviewing the needs of the Acme Company in regards to their WAN requirements, I have designed the proposed WAN design above in an attempt to allow the company to maintain both data and voice communications throughout their geographically diverse locations in, which

Acme WAN Design would enable the company to connect to each of its sites via a centralized network that is made up of both T1 lines for its U.S. locations and a satellite connection for its remote location in

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China. By doing this, the company would be able to carry-out its weekly meetings either through a voice conference or by conducting their meetings via video. Nevertheless, both of these forms of communication would be performed over the same network, since the sites that are located in the U.S. would utilize the T1 connection that combines both data and voice services on one line. Even thought the manufacturing plant in China would only be able to connect to the WAN via a satellite linkup, the technology that was selected is necessary for communications to be established with the companys headquarters, which is due to the lack of leased lines that are needed to connect the two sites. As a result, the use of the VoIP system was selected for the proposed WAN, since this system would allow both voice and video communications to occur between each of the sites. By doing this, the company would be able to perform its communication needs in a digital format, which in-turn would also result in a more cost efficient means of communicating across over long distances. Furthermore, the companys concern about the networks security would also be manageable through the use of VLAN, which would essentially allow the network to be organized logically. Along with this configuration, as well as the various security mechanisms that were outlined in this proposal, the company would be able to benefit from a secure networking infrastructure, which would enable the networks users to operate within the WAN without having to worry about their data being monitored by an outside source. As a result, this proposed level of security contributed to the concept of incorporating a wireless interface into each of the companys network locations, since this feature would enable the networks user to be more productive in their work.

Acme WAN Design References Regan, P. (2004). Wide Area Networks. Retrieved from http://ecampus.phoenix.edu

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International WAN Bids. (2008). Wide Area Networking Technical Review. Retrieved from http://www.internationalwanbids.com/international-wan-technical-review.shtml

Waring, B. (2010). How to Secure Your Wireless Network. PC World. Retrieved from http://www.pcworld.com/article/130330/how_to_secure_your_wireless_network.html

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Virtual LAN. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_LAN