NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION

Network Design Consultation

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION Network Design Consultation A network is a set of hardware devices connected with each other in order to provide its users with desired functionality (NetworkDictionary.com, n.d.). Design of a network depends on the number of computers in it and could be rather different. Network topology differs as well and depends on the level of reliability that it must have. Ring, star, bus, and other topologies are used in different situations and cases in order to provide various solutions for network designers. In this case, it is necessary to construct a network for a person who is starting a small billing business and has asked to design the network. The network must organize two workstations, two laptops, one server for three users, one networking printer, file and folder sharing, internet access; provide basic security environment and access to multiply email addresses. All these devices should provide computers and laptops of the employees with the access to the local network, the Internet, and printing functionality. The network is going to be set up according to the following plan. Network will have

file and print server, connected to the network printer. File and print server in network will be connected to the hub that will provide access to the server. Server will be connected to the router that will provide access to the internet. Therefore, we will get network that can be easily secured and protected from the outside intrusion. The network will be built using star topology in order to provide all computers with access to the server simultaneously in disregard to the actual functionality of each computer (WarePrise.com, n.d.). In addition, network will include Wi-Fi access point in order to provide laptop users with extra functionality, such as wireless access to the network, network printer, and the Internet. The diagram below provides us with the graphic illustration of how the network should be designed: Network design

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION

Internet

Router Print server

Server File server HUB

Network printer

Wi-Fi access point

Computer1

Computer2

Laptop1

Laptop2

Fault Tolerance in a Network Fault tolerance is critical for some systems, such as large data storages, internet providers, etc. Thus, fault tolerance in general is the ability of a computer or a computer network to keep operating in the event of a hardware failure. Holmes (2010) defines fault tolerance as a design that ensures a computer application will remain functioning in the event of catastrophic failure. In addition, network fault tolerance as the example of redundancy presupposes the use of several telecommunication providers and connection lines for a business building, for example. In case of emergency with one vendor, the others will not fail business operations (Holmes, 2010). Fault tolerance can be added to a computer rather simple. Additional uninterruptable power supply (UPS) plugged into another power socket than the main one will assure extra redundancy to the power supply of a computer (LeMahieu, Bohossian, & Bruck, 1998). In

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION case of hard drive disk failure probability, it would be wise to add several hard drives and combine them into either Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) Level 1 Disk Mirroring or RAID Level 5 Stripe Sets with Parity. These steps would assure continuity of operations on one single computer. As it can be noticed, the necessary redundancy either is assured by simple duplicating (UPSs) or intellectually controlled spread of the data to the several hard drives (RAID). Consolidation, of course, is not a new phenomenon within the datacenter network infrastructure. Chassis-based devices have evolved through the addition of new modules that offer higher-performance backplane fabrics, load balancing, caching, VPN termination and firewall functions. The chassis provide the high-availability power, cooling capabilities and

redundant fabric for interconnecting the different modules, and these shared functions help to reduce the cost of the network infrastructure components (LeMahieu, Bohossian, & Bruck, 1998). In addition, the common backplane connectivity allows for a reduction ill external cabling to interconnect the different devices. In the ideal case, the external connections are reduced to connecting the chassis router to the WAN link or enterprise core network and between the chassis I/O ports to the servers. New modules can be added as needed to the chassis (LeMahieu, Bohossian, & Bruck, 1998). When a new device is required, such as a firewall or VPN termination device, a new module is inserted into an open slot in the chassis. If no additional slots are available, then a new chassis must be added. Most of the chassisbased network devices allow for multiple, redundant modules, offering high availability and fault-tolerance (Medard & Lumetta, 2001; Emerson, 2010). Performance limitations are based on the capabilities of each individual module, and when those limits are reached, even for short periods, the module becomes a bottleneck--it must be enhanced or replaced. Since each module is dedicated to its own service(s), no matter

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION how lightly they are loaded, they cannot be dynamically configured to off-load any other module (Medard & Lumetta, 2001; Emerson, 2010). Alternatively, several vendors have

come out with multifunction appliances, which may be more limited in expandability than the chassis-based options, but still reduce the number of units needed to support a network infrastructure (LeMahieu, Bohossian, & Bruck, 1998). Unlike the chassis-based units, the consolidated appliances, such as those from Array Networks, can allocate processing power between their internal components as the load and traffic requirements change. If, for example, there is a burst of traffic that needs to be processed by the firewall component, more processing power can be allocated to the firewall module(s) and less to other components (Medard & Lumetta, 2001). The consolidated appliances generally support multiple components such as a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) accelerator, firewall, Web switch (Layer 4-7 switch), domain name server (DNS) software, cache and Layer 2 switching. In most cases, each appliance services different datacenter applications and, depending on the selected device, can operate at wire speeds. In order to gain high availability, these appliances must be deployed in pairs, with failover cabling (LeMahieu, Bohossian, & Bruck, 1998; Medard & Lumetta, 2001). The situation with a network is rather similar. It is necessary to guarantee that a network user will be able to get access to the network resources of the Internet in case of network hardware or logical/physical connection failure. Of course, the dependency from power lines is an issue in this case as well. Therefore, the first action to perform is to add UPSs to the network to cover the need of network hardware (routers, switches, etc.) in the additional power source. Another way to add failure tolerance to a network is to add network adapter to a computer. In this case, the failure of one network adapter will not mean failure of connectivity for a user. Such computers are known as multi-homed. Multi-homing can be

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION even beneficial for a user because two properly working adapters can use link aggregation technique to combine the bandwidth of both adapters. Then, a physical differentiation of connection cables can be helpful in adding failure tolerance to a network. In case a user unplugs one connection for some reason, it is very unlikely the other connection will be lost or damaged somehow as well (Medard & Lumetta, 2001).

The techniques of adding fault tolerance for a single standing computers and hardware equipment were described. However, it is necessary to consider the network as a whole and apply some other techniques and methods to assure connection redundancy. Thus, as it has already been mentioned, the computers have two network adapters each. Therefore, they can be connected to two different switches at the same time. These switches connect to each other and to additional switches simultaneously. The scheme now includes four switches with redundant connection. Two of these four switches are connected to dual routers and one multi-homed server (Medhi, 1999; Medard & Lumetta, 2001). The described scheme is not normally applied in networks because of the possible issues with communication loops. However, it is the case when four switches are spanningtree enabled so they can cooperate between each other in order to assure connectivity if some of the links fail. Moreover, such redundant technique allows providing users with connection even if the entire switch fails. The same situation is with the routers. As it can be noticed, each computer of the network, utilizing such technique will be provided with LAN and the internet connection regardless to the failure of the hardware (Sullivan, 2000). Basically, the techniques used for assuring fault tolerance are based on mesh topology. The problem of this topology is the number of physical connections needed. Every node in a network is connected with each other. It is rather expensive (in cases of large-scale network, enormously expensive) however almost fail proof. Less expensive star topology,

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION combined with the above-described techniques provides substantially more rational and optimal result for any situation. Development Costs The implementation of such kind of project will require expenditures for the following: Salaries and other employment costs; consultancy services; and expenditures for different equipment (hardware, software, etc.). Thus, salaries, bonuses, reformatting of units and departments, even termination of the employment contracts in some cases will require

extra money. Let us assume the following: 30% of staff who were involved into the processes filling paper of different kind and not directly involved into data management procedures will be dismissed. Therefore, dismissal payoffs will require expenditures (MindTools.com, 2010). The rest of the employees will be retrained and should receive higher salary, which is costly as well. Consultancy services will be necessary for the entire development process and it will be the second most expensive part of the project. The first part is the reallocation of different equipment, such as server, networking hardware, and, of course the price of new network (Thompson, 2005). Operational Costs Operational costs will include the following: Cost of any legacy conversion; training costs; recruitment costs; and reallocation of any additional equipment. It will be necessary to physically create the data center, etc. Therefore, there will be a necessity to either pay extra money for hiring third party specialists to perform these operations (MindTools.com, 2010). Training of the personnel will be probably the most important part of the entire project implementation activities because if employees are not able to use new network in full, it will be cost ineffective and the project seems rather useless in such case (Thompson, 2005). Hiring consultants for each department too will require substantial sums at the beginning of systems functioning to provide all employees with necessary support. These

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION consultants will have short-term contracts but their services will be rather costly. Additional equipment might be needed to be purchased in case of necessity mobile devices, like personal digital assistants, or something similar in order to improve overall functionality of new network (MindTools.com, 2010). Finally, additional costs for operations should be planned to cover any emergencies of the training process. Table 1 summarizes all costs and presents the overall cost: Table 1. Development and Operational Costs Requirements Salary Network designers Network administrator Technicians Other employees Project Scope Project Plan Project Team Org worksheet Cost Estimate Worksheet Consulting Time Estimates Performance Evaluation Computers Servers UPS Printer Laptops Setup costs Training Purchase of any equipment Overall Cost Hardware reallocation 2 x $500 2 x $500 1 x $100 1 x $200 2 x $300 Operational Cost 2 x $50 Number x Cost Development Costs 1 x $300 1 x $100 1 x $100 Cost of equipment $100 $200 $100 $50 $50 $0 $1000 $1000 $100 $200 $600 Total Cost

$300 $100 $100 $500

$100 $0 $5,000

Work breakdown structure (WBS) is as follows: Figure 1. WBS

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION

FCs New Network Development

Project Scope

Project plan

Project Team Org worksheet

Cost Estimate Worksheet

Network design development

Evaluation

Plan evaluation

Reassesment

Risk assesment

Physical infrastructure creation

Assesment

Objectives reconsideration

Final edition

Cost adjustment

Testing

Final edition

Final meeting

Control

As for the risks that could be major obstacles to the successful completion of the project, we can outline the following issues: There are such risks of high importance as inability of the software company to complete a project in full before the deadline, low quality of the software, and low number of visitors due to the bugs and flaws in the system in the first year of operations; among the risks of medium importance most likely would be expenses exceeding 10% of the planned sum and further maintenance issues. Envisaged Benefits The benefits of the project fall into the categories of direct, secondary, and intangible. Therefore, direct benefits of the project are as follows: Despite the expenditure for dismissal payments needed to shorten the quantity of personnel and increased salaries, the efficiency of the employees will increase substantially (one person will be able to perform the previous duties of three people, at least) and it will decrease the overall expenditures for salary; personnel will be able to serve more clients than before and it will increase income as well; electronic record keeping will provide managers with opportunity to assess the situation remotely that will substantially decrease the overall cost of their services; the image of the

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION company will improve due to the ability to provide services of higher quality and it will attract more customers (Thompson, 2005).

10

The following benefits can be addressed to the secondary benefits: Employees will be able to automate routine procedures and thus, decrease the number of possible errors that will lead to the cutting costs for their correction; remote access to the database will provide responsible employees with opportunity to work with records data of the physical location; centrally stored information is much easier to be protected and kept safe (MindTools.com, 2010). Intangible benefits are long-term however, they can be rather important as well: The need in new employees because of the turnover will decrease eventually and it will decrease the expenditures for recruitment and training; quality services, provided by FC will attract new clients to their outlets across the country; people will know that this company not only provides services of high quality but is also available in different regions and thus will recommend it as a reliable partner for retail services; finally, further improvement of the new network will allow the company to develop and implement new ways of providing clients with their services (Thompson, 2005).

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION References NetworkDictionary.com (n.d.). How to Set Up and Configure a Small Office and Home Office (SOHO) Network? Retrieved from: http://www.networkdictionary.com/howto/soho.php Emerson (2010). Fault Tolerance Network. Retrieved from:

11

http://www.google.com.ua/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=fault%20tolerance%20network&source =web&cd=11&ved=0CB0QFjAAOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.documentation.e mersonprocess.com%2Fgroups%2Fpublic%2Fdocuments%2Finstruction_manuals%2 Fd301490x412.pdf&ei=yrHqTv4E4yUOojUoJwI&usg=AFQjCNEc0bg33Q7X0EviCh_jAnSjUx7pEA Holmes, T. (2010). What Is Fault Tolerance? Retrieved from: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-fault-tolerance.htm LeMahieu, P., Bohossian, V., & Bruck, J. (1998). Fault-Tolerant Switched Local Area Networks. Retrieved from: paradise.caltech.edu/papers/etr021.pdf Medard, M., & Lumetta, S. S. (2001). Network Reliability and Fault Tolerance. Retrieved from: www.mit.edu/~medard/bchapter.pdf Medhi, D. (1999). Network Reliability and Fault Tolerance. Retrieved from: http://www.google.com.ua/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=network%20reliability%20and%20fault %20tolerance&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDUQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcitese erx.ist.psu.edu%2Fviewdoc%2Fdownload%3Fdoi%3D10.1.1.78.3259%26rep%3Drep 1%26type%3Dpdf&ei=ybDqToXUHc2WOuHZvaQI&usg=AFQjCNFrCZxHh6ZrW7iuU9bmqRUO-q2kA&cad=rjt MindTools.com (2010). Cost/Benefit Analysis Retrieved from: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_08.htm

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION Sullivan, J. (2000). Network Fault Tolerance System. Retrieved from:

12

http://www.google.com.ua/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=network%20fault%20tolerance%20syst em&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wpi.edu%2 FPubs%2FETD%2FAvailable%2Fetd-0501100125656%2Funrestricted%2Fsullivan.pdf&ei=gbHqTqCLM4WfOuu4iZwI&usg=AFQ jCNHJhdUwJ_h_B56EuLYxFhiuN9ndzg Thompson, A. (2005). Business Feasibility Study Outline. Retrieved from: http://www.rochester.edu/entrepreneurship/pdfs/Business_Feasibility_Study_Outline. pdf

NETWORK DESIGN CONSULTATION References

13