Homework 1
Local Area Network Design

• Overview
• Assignment
• Analysis
• Design
• Implementation
• Order Form
• Turn In

Overview

Most of us already have or will at some point in our careers, be responsible for selecting LAN hardware. This often means that you must plan details ranging from the number of servers to the number of network plugs in a room. If you can write a clear, detailed proposal and are a bit lucky, someone else can follow your directions, buy, install, and test the equipment. If it all works, you look great; if you forget about file backup, power backup, or the network connection in the bosses' office, good luck.

The purpose of the following exercise is to develop some experience in the analysis and design of the physical components necessary to implement a typical, small local area network (LAN). The exercise begins with an analysis of equipment needs that begins with a site evaluation of wiring and equipment needs, and concludes with a design specification of materials and a cost list for the proposed LAN. The goal is to produce a detailed specification for the purchase and installation of the LAN hardware and software.

Network configurations are highly adaptable, supporting a variety of configurations and installation site needs, represent a significant initial expense, and require long-term technical support. The designer of a network must recognize the physical limits of the technology used, the resource needs of expected users, and the overall cost of equipment and installation. The planning of a LAN should include the following:

1. determination of hardware and software to be supported
2. needs assessment to determine parameters such as amount of local and networked disk resources necessary
3. diagram locating current and future machines to assist in selecting topologies, cabling and network access methods, and to locate connections at installation time.

Tanenbaum illustrates topologies in Chapter 1 and gives an opaque discussion of Ethernet hardware. Several texts in LF-111A give LAN planning discussion.

LAN Hardware - The minimum LAN hardware consists of:

1. Computer - At least two that are connected by the LAN. In a client-server relation, the resources (i.e. disk, printer, etc.) of the server are shared with the client. In a peer-to-peer relation, the resources of either peer computer can be shared with another.
2. Connection medium - Use both wire and wireless. Wire typically is Category 5 cable for connecting Ethernet to each computer at the desktop and optical fiber between communication hubs. Wireless requires transmitters/receivers on each desktop computer and a base station receiver/transmitter to connect with other wireless or wire LAN segments.
3. Network Interface Card (NIC) - Each device on the LAN (computer, printer, file server, etc.) requires a network interface card. The card provides a place to physically connect the wire to the device.  It also uniquely identifies each NIC by a number known as a MAC address.
4. Concentrator, hub, or switch - A network hub or switch connects the many networked devices (computer, printers, etc.) together on a LAN.  Wires, as the spokes of a wheel, go from the NICs on each networked devices to the hub or switch.  Another wire connects each hub or switch to a router, to form a larger network. Some connection mediums such as Ethernet allow directly connecting two computers using a crossover cable alone.

LAN Software - LAN software allows one computer to communicate with another and is integrated into all operating systems such as Windows 2000/XP, Linux, etc. Specialized server software is generally required when implementing a client/server relation. In the Windows client/server world, Windows Server 2000/XP software would be needed on all server computers while Windows 95, 98, 2000 ME, Professional, XP, Apple, Unix, etc. would generally be used on each client computer. All Windows operating systems versions are also capable of supporting peer-to-peer relations.

Assignment

Develop a LAN proposal that details the cost of network hardware, providing sufficient information for ordering and installing equipment by someone other than yourself. The LAN should include a minimum of:

• one resource server with file backup
• 5 workstations
• both wire and wireless mediums
• power protection
• Internet connection (DSL, broadband, etc.)

Follow the format given in the Analysis, Design, and Implementation parts.

Turn In

1. Cover Page - Your name, date, and Homework 1. Staple all pages together.
2. Analysis
• Site log
• Needs assessment
3. Design
• Site diagram
  • Include enough detail (number of cables, room number, location of network plug, etc.) for someone else to install equipment
• Access methods (wire and wireless)
4. Implementation
• Order form listing enough information for someone else to order the correct equipment and software. Vendor Web pages are not acceptable. Click here for a copy of the order form.

Analysis (25 pts)

The basic planning steps for the LAN are listed below. The LAN site may be off campus area or a location on campus but should reflect a real location though not an existing LAN. Where needed data is not available make reasonable estimates (for example, how many computers would one expect to be located in a 9 square meter office).

• Site Log - Computers, Power, Communications

1. List of existing computer equipment at the installation site. List the following items, using one line for each existing workstation systems (maximum of five systems):
  
1. System ID number (to be assigned as required)
2. System (brand name or other identifier)
3. Room location
4. User (optional)

Example:
 

ID        Name        Department                Location        Users
1         Dell 7500   Computer Science      LF11A           B438, P221
2         Dell 9000   Physics                       PS100          P222

2. Existing software used - Give name and type

     Examples:
1. Word - Word processor
2.  Excel - Spreadsheet
3. Existing power service to area. Note whether conditioned, UPS, etc. and estimate on amperes service to area.
4. List any existing cable and pathways (e.g. a. new construction, b. communications cable is Category 5 in enclosed cableway, c. cable is undetermined type strung on floor).

 

• Needs Assessment

  

 

1. Required software - May include some or all of existing plus new

     Examples:       LookOut - Email
                           Word - Word Processor
                           Flight Simulator - Game
2. Workstation requirements - Number and general use. Minimum of 5 workstations.

Example:
        Office applications - 5
        Software development - 2

3. Server storage requirements - Estimate disk storage, estimate individual needs of each to 10 mb

     Examples:
          Usage for programs            Total 37500mb
               Word 2010 - 36Gb
               WordPerfect - 900mb
               NetScape - 200mb
               Super Mario - 50mb

           Usage for data                Total 450mb
               Word - 250mb
               NetScape - 50mb
               Accounting - 150mb

4. Printing requirements

          Printer type or quality
               Postscript B&W
               Postscript Color

          Local printing required - Must printer attach to workstation?
                Example:
                       Letter quality attached to 3 workstations

5. Network load estimates - Bytes transmitted, on average to or from each

     active workstation (as bytes/minute, hour, etc.).

          ID   Estimated/hour average data access
          1    13-15mb per hour
          2    18-20mb per hour

6. Communications options

          Internet, Modem, Fax, 3270
7. Estimated power requirements for workstation, server, and printer (include UPS or SPS)
8. Other

Design (35 pts)

The primary design artifact consists of several drawings that serve to document the topology, hardware type, location, number, and distances within the area containing the LAN. The drawing should contain the following:
 

• Site Diagram

Diagram your site workstation, server and power locations. The diagram does not need to be elaborate (blueprint quality not required) but should be obvious to someone visiting the site (i.e. doors, computers, power, network connection, etc. accurately placed). Assume that someone else will install the wire/computers/power/etc. using the diagram while you are on vacation. A one page diagram, neatly drawn, should suffice.

a.   Show proposed server(s) and workstations location.

b.   Estimated distance, note existing cable-ways, include falls and rises. 

c.   Indicate whether unused cabling exists, it's location, and it's type (determine part number if possible) and whether it can be salvaged.

d.   Indicate power locations (including power protection).
 

• Cable access methods - Add to copy of Site Diagram. Remember the network infrastructure should include both wire and wireless mediums. The final diagram should look similar to the one at right.

Complete for any of Arcnet, Token ring, Ethernet or other access methods.

a.   Select a topology, cabling type and access method consistent with your Needs Assessment. Overlay wiring installation on site diagram.

b.   Show location of wire and lengths.

c.   Show MAUs, hubs, switches, wireless base stations, Internet connection, etc. and locations necessary to connect workstations to wire. Indicate distances to verify that wire or wireless ranges are not exceeded.

Word can be used for simple drawings by clicking View, Toolbars and Drawing.

Implementation (40 pts)

The implementation artifact includes of the hardware specifications required for purchase presented in an order form that would allow someone naive of technique details to acquire the correct LAN components. Use the supplied order form.

1. Calculate Cost of Network Installation

Using the data developed above and available catalogs and online sites, determine the cost of network wired and wireless plans. Provide enough information for informed decisions to be made affecting whether all buildings/rooms/workstations are to be wired, use existing wire, or wireless. Remember that the network infrastructure should include both wire and wireless mediums.
 
2. Operating Software

Select workstations and server software (Palm Pilot, Windows ME, Windows XP, Linux, etc.).
 
3. File server/Workstations

Specify a complete server system and workstation hardware for your network design. Indicate necessary details, such as make, model, CPU, memory caching, bus, disk type, capacity of memory and disk, NIC, etc. Determine hardware required for software and cost of each.
 
4. Order Form

Using the data collected above prepare an order sheet for all software and hardware components (cable, MAU's, server, operating software, etc.) showing the following details:

     Part Number    Description    Quantity  Item Cost      Item Total

Click here for a copy of the order form. Note that it can be saved from the browser and information edited in any HTML editor such as FrontPage.

Do not submit vendor's Web pages.

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