Assessing And Redesigning Network For A Data Analytics Company In Australia

Executive Summary

This report cover the Australian data analytic company that requires the assessment of the current network so that it can be re-designed in order to accommodate the newly opened braches which need new equipments.

The main purpose of this project is to design the network, allocate IP addresses to the various subnets, and calculate the expected budget to implement the entire network.

This project has a large scope where it involves the sub-netting of the proposed network branches by assigning respective IP addresses, identification of the hardware devices to be used, approximation of the network budget and analyzing the various cloud computing proposals and through this the management will be able to identify the best way to implement the network.

This project had been carried out in order to achieve some set objectives by the company which includes the following:

1. Enable the company have internet access.
2. To enable the company wide local area network to have wireless access.

• To enable the share the database facilities.

1. To enable the company have the web services to the users.
2. To enable the network users back up their information.
3. To enable the company to make use of the cloud based services in their operations.

 

The below table shows the number of the IP addresses that are required in the various network subnets where each location is allocated the IP addresses depending on the number of work stations.

Location	Workstations	WLAN addresses	LAN ADDRESSES
Sydney	400×2=800	30	800
Melbourne	70 x2=140	14	140
Brisbane	150 x2=300	14	300
Canberra	50 x2=100	–	100
Adelaide	80 x2=160	–	160
Hobart	15 x2=30	–	30

3.1 Sub-netting

The network sub-netting is done to assign the various locations their IP addresses, in this case the class B IP address 128.1.0.0/20 is used to assign the IP addresses accordingly and this is obtained through the calculations of the IP addresses subnet masks (Andrew 2015) , broadcast addresses and the address range where the addresses assigned will allow the future expansion of the network as below.

3.1.1 Sydney branch

This branch will be having 800 workstations on the LAN, 30 IP addresses in the WLAN which make a total of 830 therefore.

There are 830hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 830

2^x = (830 + 4).

2¹⁰ = (1024> 834)

Network bits = 32 – 10 = 22

Network IP-Address = 128.1.0.0 /22

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.3.255

Subnets mask = 255.255.252.0

Range IP address = 128.1.0.1- 128.1.3.254

3.1.1.1 Sydney branch LAN subnet

There are 800 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 800

2^x = (800 + 2).

2¹⁰ = (1024> 802)

Network bits = 32 – 10 = 22

Network IP-Address = 128.1.0.0 /22

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.3.38

Range IP address = 128.1.0.1-128.1.3.37

Subnets mask = 255.255.252.0

3.1.1.2 Sydney branch WAN subnet

There are 30 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 30

2^x = (30 + 2).

2¹⁰ = (1024> 32)

Network bits = 32 – 10 = 22

Network IP-Address = 128.1.3.39/22

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.3.72

Subnets mask = 255.255.252.0

Range IP address =128.1.3.40-128.1.3.71 (Behrouz  2016).

Network Diagram

3.1.2 Melbourne branch

This branch will be having 140 workstations on the LAN and 14 IP addresses in the WLAN which make a total of 154 therefore.

There are 154 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 154

2^x = (154 + 2).

2⁸ = (256> 156)

Network bits = 32 – 8 = 24

Network IP-Address = 128.1.4.0 /24

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.4.255

Subnets mask = 255.255.255.0

Range IP address =128.1.4.1-128.1.4.254

3.1.2.1 Melbourne branch LAN subnet

There are 140 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 140

2^x = (140 + 2).

2⁸ = (256> 142)

Network bits = 32 – 8 = 24

Network IP-Address = 128.1.4.0 /24

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.4.141

Range IP address =128.1.4.1 -128.1.4.140

Subnets mask = 255.255.255.0

3.1.2.2 Melbourne branch WAN subnet

There are 14 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 14

2^x = (14 + 2).

2⁸ = (256> 16)

Network bits = 32 – 8 = 24

Network IP-Address = 128.1.4.142 /24

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.4.160

Range IP address =128.1.4.143-128.1.4.159

Subnets mask = 255.255.255.0

3.1.3 Brisbane branch

This branch will be having 300 workstations on the LAN and 14 IP addresses in the WLAN which make a total of 314 therefore.

There are 316 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 316

2^x = (316 + 2).

2⁹ = (512> 318)

Network bits = 32 – 9 = 23

Network IP-Address = 128.1.6.0/23

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.7.255

Range IP address = 128.1.6.1- 128.1.7.254

Subnets mask = 255.255.254.

3.1.3.1 Brisbane branch LAN subnet

There are 300 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 300

2^x = (300 + 2).

2⁹ = (512> 302)

Network bits = 32 – 9 = 23

Network IP-Address = 128.1.6.0/23

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.7.46

Range IP address = 128.1.6.1- 128.1.7.45

Subnets mask = 255.255.254.0

3.1.3.2 Brisbane branch WAN subnet

There are 14 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 14

2^x = (14 + 2).

2⁹ = (512> 16)

Network bits = 32 – 9 = 23

Network IP-Address = 128.1.7.47/23

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.7.62

Range IP address = 128.1.7.48- 128.1.7.61

Subnets mask = 255.255.254.0

3.1.4 Canberra branch

3.1.4.1 Canberra branch LAN subnet

There are 100 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 100

2^x = (100 + 2).

2⁷ = (128> 102)

Network bits = 32 – 7 = 25

Network IP-Address = 128.1.8.0 /25

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.8.101

Subnets mask = 255.255.255.128

Range IP address =128.1.8.1- 128.1.8.100

3.1.5 Adelaide branch

3.1.5.1 Adelaide branch LAN subnet

There are 160 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 160

2^x = (80 + 2).

2⁸ = (256> 160)

Network bits = 32 – 8 = 24

Network IP-Address = 128.1.9.0 /24

Sub-netting the Network and Assigning IP Addresses to Devices

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.9.127

Subnets mask = 255.255.255.128

Range IP address =128.1.9.1- 128.1.9.160

3.1.6 Hobart branch

3.1.6.1 Hobart branch LAN subnet

There are 30 hosts therefore

Number of Hosts = 32

2^x = (32 + 2).

2⁶ = (64> 34)

Network bits = 32 – 6= 26

Network IP-Address = 128.1.10.0/26

Broadcast IP-Address: – 128.1.10.35

Range IP address = 128.1.10.1- 128.1.10.34

Subnets mask = 255.255.255.192

Table 1 Subnets (WAN and LAN subnets)

Subnet name	subnet address	subnet mask	first useable address	last useable address	broadcast address	static address range	DHCP address range
Sydney LAN	128.1.0.0	/22	128.1.0.1	128.1.3.37	128.1.3.38	128.1.0.1-128.1.0.2	128.1.0.3-128.1.3.37
Sydney WAN	128.1.3.39	/22	128.1.3.40	128.1.3.71	128.1.3.72	128.1.3.40-128.1.2.41	128.1.2.42-128.1.2.71
Melbourne  LAN	128.1.4.0	/24	128.1.4.1	128.1.4.140	128.1.4.141	128.1.4.1-128.1.4.2	128.1.4.3-128.1.4.140
Melbourne WAN	128.1.4.142	/24	128.1.4.143	128.1.4.159	128.1.4.160	128.1.5.1-128.1.5.2	128.1.5.3-128.1.5.159
Brisbane  LAN	128.1.6.0	/23	128.1.6.1	128.1.7.45	128.1.7.46	128.1.7.1-128.1.7.2	128.1.6.3-128.1.7.45
Brisbane WAN	128.1.7.47	/23	128.1.7.48	128.1.7.61	128.1.7.62	128.1.7.48-128.1.7.49	128.1.7.50-128.1.7.61
Canberra LAN	128.1.8.0	/25	128.1.8.1	128.1.8.100	128.1.8.101	128.1.8.1-128.1.8.2	128.1.8.3-128.1.8.100
Adelaide LAN	128.1.9.0	/24	128.1.9.1	128.1.9.160	128.1.9.161	128.1.9.1-128.1.9.2	128.1.9.3-128.1.9.160
Hobart LAN	128.1.10.0	/26	128.1.10.1	128.1.10.34	128.1.10.35	128.1.10.1-128.1.10.2	128.1.10.3-128.1.10.36

(Douglas 2017).

Table 2 Router interfaces.

Location	interface	IP address	subnet mask
Sydney	Fa1/1	128.1.0.1	/22
Sydney	Fa0/1	128.1.3.40	/22
Sydney	Fa1/2	128.1.11.1	/28
Sydney	Fa1/3	128.1.13.1	/28
Sydney	Fa1/4	128.1.14.1	/28
Sydney	Fa1/5	128.1.15.1	/28
Sydney	Fa1/6	128.1.16.1	/28
Melbourne	Fa1/1	128.1.4.1	/24
Melbourne	Fa0/1	128.1.4.143	/24
Melbourne	Fa1/2	128.1.13.2	/28
Melbourne	Fa1/3	128.1.17.1	/28
Melbourne	Fa1/4	128.1.18.1	/28
Melbourne	Fa1/5	128.1.19.1	/28
Brisbane	Fa0/1	128.1.6.1	/23
Brisbane	Fa1/1	128.1.7.48	/23
Brisbane	Fa1/2	128.1.14.2	/28
Canberra	Fa0/1	128.1.8.1	/25
Canberra	Fa1/1	128.1.15.2	/28
Canberra	Fa1/2	128.1.17.2	/28
Adelaide	Fa0/1	128.1.9.1	/24
Adelaide	Fa1/1	128.1.18.2	/28
Hobart	Fa0/1	128.1.10.1	/26
Hobart	Fa1/1	128.1.12.0	/28
Hobart	Fa1/2	128.1.19.2	/28

(Forouzan  2014).

Table 3 Servers

Location	server name	IP address	subnet mask
Sydney	Web server	128.1.11.2	/28
Sydney	DB server	128.1.11.2	/28
Hobart	Back-up server1	128.1.12.1	/28
Hobart	Back-up server2	128.1.12.2	/28
Hobart	Back-up server3	128.1.12.3	/28

4.1 Executive summary

In the network implementation there are various items that will be used in the network connection and this will be obtained through the procurement plan which has the following goals.

1. To ensure all the selected devices are able to accommodate all the workstations in the entire network.
2. To ensure that all the devices are able to offer good and quality services to the users.

• To ensure all the devices selected will be acquired within the set budget of $10000.

4.2 Weighted Decision Matrix – hardware resource requirements analysis

4.2.0.1 Matrix attributes justification.

In the analysis and selection of the required network hardware which includes the switch, router and wireless access devices the following attributes are used to weigh their priorities in selection process.

1. This attribute will be used to measure the ease of use and installation in the network and it will have 20%.
2. This will be used to test how efficient the device is in the network without having downtime and it will have 20%.

• Number of ports. This will measure the number of ports or connections that a device will support for current use or future growth and will weigh 10%.

1. This attribute will be used to measure how long can the device be used in the network without replacement and will weigh 20%.
2. This attribute will be used to measure the acquisition price of the device and it will weigh 30%.

4.2.0.2 Weighted Decision Matrix

1. Router WDM

Routers Weighted Decision Matrix
		Device type and scores
Attribute	Weight (%)	Cisco-2901	Cisco-2911	Cisco- CGR1240	Cisco- 2620XM	Cisco-2621XM
Feasibility	20	12	14	19	17	20
Efficiency	20	17	15	17	18	19
Ports	10	9	10	10	10	10
Durability	17	17	19	17	15	20
Cost	24	28	29	27	29	25
TOTAL SCORE	91	83	87	90	89	94

(Tom 2015).

Switches  WDM

Switch Weighted Decision Matrix
		Device type and scores
Attribute	Weight (%)	Cisco- 2960-24TT	Cisco-2950-24	Cisco- 2950T-24	Cisco- 3560-24PS	Cisco- 3650-24PS
Feasibility	20	19	14	15	17	15
Efficiency	15	20	15	17	18	19
Ports	10	10	10	10	10	10
Durability	17	18	19	17	15	18
Cost	24	25	29	27	29	25
TOTAL SCORE	86	92	87	86	89	87

Wireless access devices WDM.

Wireless access devices  Weighted Decision Matrix
		Device type and scores
Attribute	Weight (%)	Cisco-WRT300N	Cisco-3702i	Cisco-WLC-2504	Cisco-WLC-PT	Cisco-DLC100
Feasibility	20	17	14	19	17	15
Efficiency	15	19	15	19	18	16
Ports	10	10	10	10	10	10
Durability	17	1	19	19	15	18
Cost	26	25	29	25	29	27
TOTAL SCORE	88	72	87	92	89	86

Budget

HARDWARE NAME	TYPE	UNITS	UNIT COST	TOTAL COST
Router	Cisco-2621XM	7	261	1827
Switch	Cisco-2960-24TT	41	170	6970
Wireless access device	Cisco-WLC-2504	3	401	1203
				10000

In this organization the management propose to adopt the cloud computing service where their services will be managed in the cloud facilities in order to enhance the security and the operational costs, there are three options that are highlighted in this proposal as follows.

5.1 Using desktop Environment provided by a Cloud service provider (such as Amazon)

In this case there are some advantages where the workstation in the organization will be replaced and replaced with thin clients which will minimize the cost of the hardware and services ,below is a table indicating the cost of the using the cloud service provider.

1. cost

Device required	units	Unit Hardware and service cost	Electricity cost	Total cost
Virtual –machines	765	$589.59	0	$451,036.35

In terms of the security there will be enough security for the items that are stored in the vendor’s server but the only challenge other people can also access the company’s information especially the vendor’s staffs which can cause some security threat to the company data (William 2014).

5.2 Using desktop environment provided by a private cloud infrastructure based in Sydney

In this second option the company should replace all the workstations in the entire network and use the private cloud infrastructure where the desktop environment will be located in Sydney and the users can access the information from there.

1. Cost

Below is the cost summary of using this option.

Device name	units	Unit Hardware and service cost	Electricity cost	Total cost
Virtual –Machines	765	$108.0	0	$82,620
Workstations	1	$850	230 kWh per year	$850
OVERALL COST	$83,470

1. Security

This option of adopting the private cloud service provider to set up a desktop environment in Sydney branch has more security since the management has direct control of the sensitive information and therefore it is more recommendable in terms of security.

5.3 Continuing to use workstations

The other option is to continue making use of the workstations in the network, where each workstation has its cost and power consumption expense as in the table below.

Device required	units	Unit Hardware and service cost	Electricity units	Total cost
Workstations	765	$850	230×765 kWh	$650,250
OVERALL COST	$650,250

Using the current network there is enough security and the company management has full control of their information without interference from the third party.

After analyzing the three major options to adopt I recommend the company to adopt the second option, this is because the operation cost will highly reduce and the power consumption will be reduced to almost zero, however this option is more secure since the company will be able to have direct access to the information since the desktop environment will be in-housed at Sydney branch

Reference

Andrew, S. (2015) Computer Networks.2^nd edn. New York: Prentice Hall.

Behrouz ,A.(2016) Data Communication and Networking. 4^th edn.New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Douglas,C.(2017) Internetworking with TCP/IP, Volume1.1^st edn.California: Addison-Wesley Professional.

Forouzan,I.(2014) Computer Networks: A Top – Down Approach.5^th edn.New York: McGraw-Hill.

Tom ,C.(2015) IPv6 Address Planning: Designing an Address Plan for the Future.3^rd edn. San Francisco: O’Reilly Media.

William,S.(2014)  Data and Computer Communication. 2^nd edn. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill.