Truth In Numbers Network Design

Executive Summary

The network design for Truth in Numbers has been carefully designed to ensure all of the company’s goals are met. When designing the network, all of Truth in Numbers personal and business needs were outlined and reviewed. This network design project outlines the new infrastructure for Truth in Numbers network. There are some disadvantages and advantages to the choices that have been made for Truth in Numbers network. The disadvantages include network security threats and higher costs for hardware. Some of the advantages for the chosen solutions are faster connectivity, easy network upgrades and secure remote access. The final choices will support the Truth in Numbers network and business goals and will make certain that the company has an efficient yet securely designed network.

Network topologies are the shape of the network, how it is all connected, how the network works together. The star topology will be used in each office for Truth in Number. The star topology has been chosen for several reasons; it is easy to manage physically, easy to upgrade and very reliable. The choice of cables that will be used for Truth in Numbers networks will consist of Category 7 and 10Gbase-T cables. This cable will be used to support an Ethernet network for all offices within the company.

To make sure that Truth in Numbers employees are able to securely access the network regardless of their location, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) will be implemented. The protocol that we will use for the VPN will be Point-To Point Tunneling Protocol PPTP.

The ability to maintain use of the network at all times is important. Network security and disaster recovery is vital. The network design for Truth in Numbers covers these two areas.

A wide-ranging disaster recovery plan has been analyzed and designed so that business can continue with very few interruptions.

The security of the network is imperative. Preventative measures have been chosen so that Truth in Numbers network is secure. Truth in Numbers network is backed up with data encryption and firewalls to help prevent unauthorized actions.

Designing a network takes rigorous planning and research. Knowing the business goals ensures that the company is getting a network that will fill all their needs. Truth in Numbers will be content knowing that the network that has been designed for them will help them be efficient and productive.

Cabling Specifications

Truth in Numbers is small organization that specializes in verifying the social security or driver’s license numbers of individuals. Because of the nature of the business Truth in Numbers runs, they have access to peoples personal information that must be safeguarded at all times and they must be available at all times. Truth in Numbers is made up of several departments which in turn are made up of several smaller different groups that keep the company running smoothly. The company needs a dependable network design that will provide network access to the bulk of its employees in the event of a network outage; it also needs ample cabling to assure that growth will be possible.

The employees will need to share peripherals devices such as printers, scanners and copiers, and fax machines as well as provide outside access to in-house data for their traveling sales people, a database for file sharing among the departments, and the ability to expand in the future if any additional devices should be needed.

The star topology mentioned before uses a hub as the central point of connection for the computers and other devices on the network, the network can be expanded without any difficulty when the business grows. The best part of the star topology is that is one device fails on the network, the network does not go down and the company does not lose money or credibility because they are not available. Finally the star topology is easy to manage physically and can be used with different types of cables.

There are several different cable types that can be used in this design twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, and fiber optic cable. Twisted pair cables are the most affordable cables and they are available in different categories that are rated by performance and can be shielded or unshielded depending on the need. Category 6 cables are most commonly used to connect computers to the network; however the newer Category 7 cables are now being used in some industries. The twisted pair cables that will be used in Truth in Numbers network design to connect the hubs to the main frame closet will be 10Gbase-T. Coaxial cable is another commonly used cable in LAN networks. This type of cable is capable of carrying large amounts of data and they are less likely to be susceptible to interferences from telephone cables used with dial up. Fiber optic cable is a faster option. Fiber optic cables also come in a different categories ranging in speed and length. It is capable of transmitting data at incredible speeds. In the article Fiber Loss and Distances it states that fiber optic cable can also carry several signals at the same time (2001). Though this can be an effective choice for Truth in Numbers, it could be very expensive. The choice of cables that will be used for Truth in Numbers networks will consist of cat7e and 10Gbase-T cables. These will supply the necessary support needed for the network design.

As stated earlier, the LAN topology design of the network for (Truth in Numbers) will be the star topology. It will be supported by both category 7 and 10Gbase-T cables. It will provide an opportunity for expansion as well as help support the goals of the company.

Network cabling is an essential element of supporting and increasing Truth in Numbers network. The check list below provides the requirements for installation of cabling for the new network. This check list will be provided to the cabling contractor that will be designing the network cables.

Network Cabling Specification Checklist

Checklist:

1. How will the cable plant be documented?

2. What are your usual standards?

3. Do you think the standards meet your needs as a contractor?

4. Will you provide a set of as built drawings showing how and where you installed all cables?

5. How do you install cables to avoid electrical interference from ceilings and walls?

6. Do you recommend a wiring solution that combines