LAN PROS AND CONS

Our LAN implementation meets the following requirements:
 

1.     Functionality-Our network allows users to meet their job requirements. It provides user-to-user and user-to-application connectivity with reasonable speed and reliability.  

2.     Scalability-Our network is able to grow. That is, our initial design can grow without any major changes to the overall design.  

3.     Adaptability-Our network is designed with an eye toward future technologies, and does not include elements that would limit implementation of new technologies as they become available.  

4.     Manageability-Our network is designed to facilitate network monitoring and management to ensure ongoing stability of operation. This line of low-cost, high-performance switching solutions provides next-generation stackable switching. 

Probably the weakest portion of our implementation is that we did not really gather information about our user requirements. The first step in designing a network should be to gather data about the organizational structure. This information includes the organization's history and current status, projected growth, operating policies and management procedures, office systems and procedures, and the viewpoints of the people who will be using the LAN.  Ideally, the information gathering process helps clarify and identify the problems. We also realize that we have not addressed the security issues at the core level and this will be rectified in the next portion of the project.

Highlight 

Small collision domains: maximum collision domain is 13 hosts.

High bandwidth scalability:

replacing the three hubs in each room's closet with 10/100 Ethernet switches would allow a full 100 Mbps to each host.

Security:

VLANs in combination with ACLs provide nearly flawless security. Combined with software monitoring and passwording, security is nearly impenetrable.

Reliability:

Multiple paths have been created between the MDF and the IDF, and the WAN core, with its multiple T1 links, is also very strong. The Spanning Tree Protocol in the student and faculty networks provides additional path determination features for data delivery in the event of component failure.

Positive and Negative Features of LAN

Positive Features

1.     Backbone Speed – The backbone is running at 100 MBps.

2.     Scalability – By using devices and media which exceed the minimum specifications, much of the existing infrastructure can remain in place during upgrades.

o      Backbone cabling is running at 100 MBps

o      All copper patch cables and horizontal runs are Category 6.

o      The LAN switch has an unused module slot which could be used in the future to add fiber ports for more backbone runs, or more ethernet ports for Wing 3 West.

3.     Flexibility in Cabling

4.     Network Manageability

• Network design has room for expansion

• IP addressing scheme allows for future addition of servers

Negative Features

1.     No Servers placed to minimize traffic through the router.

·       More redundancy could be added, but at higher cost

·       As the application server is likely to be network intensive, it would be best to have at least one.

2.     No network security.

Ø      Everyone can access every PC. Good for them that there is no one knowledgeable in accessing important files.