LAB 8: DESIGNING A LOCAL AREA NETWORK

OBJECTIVES
After completing this lab you should be able to do the following:

Design a Local Area Network based upon a given scenario Create a spreadsheet that outlines the cost of implementing a LAN that you designed

CONTENTS
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Part One: Accessing the Design Tools .................................................................................................. 2 Part Two: Weblan-Designer Links ....................................................................................................... 3 Part Three: Modeling ............................................................................................................................ 4 Part Four: Scenarios .............................................................................................................................. 6 Part Five: Cost Analysis........................................................................................................................ 8 Submitting your Lab Report ................................................................................................................. 8

HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND COMMUNICATIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS LAB

A Windows-based computer Access to the Internet

USEFUL LINKS
http://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.main

LAB 8

Figure 1: The Windows Internet Explorer showing the URL for the AUT WebLan-Designer home page in the Locator text box and the Go to arrow to the right of the text box

Introduction
In the previous lab you learned about computer and communications hardware, cable standards, LAN fundamentals and media access. In this lab you will extend your knowledge of computer technology and local area networks by designing a LAN for a fictional organization. You will create the LAN by first reviewing design concepts. You will then use on-line tools to design a pictorial representation of the LAN. Tutorials available at the AUTs WebLan-Designers home page will provide you with the conceptual knowledge and tools you will need to learn how to design a LAN.

Part One: Accessing the Design Tools

The following steps outline the procedures required to design your local area network. 1. Double-click the Internet Explorer icon on the Windows Desktop. The Internet Explorer browser window appears (Figure 1). 2. Enter the URL, http://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.main, into the Locator text box.

3. Click the Go to button to the right of the Locator text box or press the Enter key.

Figure 2: The AUT WebLan-Designer home page showing the Wired and Wireless LAN links in the left column of the page 4. The AUTs WebLan-Designers home page appears (Figure 2).

Part Two: Weblan-Designer Links

1. Notice the links in the left column of the AUT WebLan-Designer home page. 2. Click the Tutorial link to display a pre-test that you can take to review your existing knowledge of LANs and LAN terminology, and learn how to use the Modeling tools that can be used to create LAN diagrams. 3. Click the Quiz link to display a quiz that you can take to test your knowledge of LAN components, topology, and concepts.

4. Click the Key Terms link to display a Glossary of LAN-related terms. 5. Click the Review Questions link to display a list of questions with answers that can be used for reviewing or confirming your knowledge of LANs and the OSI model.

Figure 3: The AUT Wired LAN Modeling page

Part Three: Modeling

1. Click the Modeling link in the Wired LAN section. 2. The Wired LAN Modeling page appears (Figure 3). This page is quite intuitive and easy to use. First select the Topology for your LAN by clicking the down-arrow in the Topology text box to display a list of choices. 3. Next select the number of workstations, servers, and printers required you want to add to the LAN by clicking the down-arrow and selecting a value from the list that appears. You can also type the value from the keyboard. 4. Click the Generate Model button. The Information Bar dialog box appears (Figure 4).

Figure 4: The Information Bar dialog box

Figure 5: The Information Bar pop-up menu that is displayed after right-clicking the Information Bar 5. The Modeling tool needs to use a JavaScript pop-up. Click the Close button in the Information Bar dialog box (Figure 4). 6. Right-click the Information Bar on the Wired LAN Modeling page to display a pop-up menu with 4 choices (Figure 5). 7. Click the Always Allow Pop-ups for this Site choice. 8. Click the Yes button in the dialog box that appears to allow pop-ups from this site (Figure 6). Click the Retry button in the dialog box that appears next (not shown).

9. A diagram of the LAN appears (Figure 7). From this point on the diagrams that you create with the modeling tool will appear without displaying the Information Bar or any warning messages.

Figure 6: The Allow pop-ups from this site? dialog box

Figure 7: A sample LAN model diagram

Part Four: Scenarios

Click the Scenarios link in the Wired LAN section. The Wired LAN Scenarios page appears (Figure 8). Review the four example scenarios. Create a LAN diagram for Exercise Scenario Two using the WebLan Modeling tool. Also create a written description of your design.

Figure 8: The Wire LAN Scenarios page

Figure 9: Exercise Scenario 2. Use this information for creating your costs spreadsheet.

Part Five: Cost Analysis

1. After completing the LAN for Exercise Scenario Two, create a spreadsheet that includes the costs that would be incurred by implementing the design (Figure 9). 2. Use the following guidelines for designing and completing your spreadsheet. a. List each of the items that must be purchased separately. b. Indicate the cost per unit and the number of units in your spreadsheet. c. Include the cost of cabling and assume that all cabling is either UTP or fiber. Assume that a prebuilt UTP patch cable, 10 feet in length costs $50. d. Include estimates for the monthly costs for WAN services (the T1 line and DSL connections). Assume that the company has agreed to a two-year contract for both services from either the same or different service providers. e. You may assume that all workstations are similar in design and costs to those that you obtained price quotes for in lab 4. f. Include a cost estimate for all servers, switches, and hubs (if included in your design). Indicate the number of ports per switch or hub since this affects the cost.

g. Include the installation expense. Assume that installation rates are $100 per person hour. Use the following time estimates in your calculations: i. 45 minutes to install and configure each switch or hub. ii. 30 minutes to install each UTP connection iii. 60 minutes to install each fiber optic connection iv. 30 minutes to install and configure each workstation v. 20 minutes to install and configure each printer

Submitting your Lab Report

Create a new page on your Google site and name it Lab Eight Report. Copy diagram you created for Exercise Scenario Two to the Lab Eight Report page. Attach your cost estimate spreadsheet for this LAN design to the Lab Eight Report page.