Purpose of this assignment Computer networks have become the essence of our daily lives. Computer networks are the driving force behind the evolution of computer systems allowing users to access data, hardware and services regardless of their location. The major purpose of this assignment is to provide the students an opportunity to exhibit their knowledge in the field of computer networking, how the network operates, protocols, standards, security considerations and the prototypes associated with a range of networking technologies. The assignment will help the students to check their knowledge for configuring and installation of networking system exploring the range of technologies and troubleshooting the network. The students will be able to demonstrate their skills and understandings over the operation of IP data networks, router, switching technologies, IP routing technologies, IP services and troubleshooting through the completion of this assignment. Besides technical stuffs, the students will be demonstrating their skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence. The completion of this assignment will illustrate that the student has been able to: • Examine networking principles and their protocols. • Examine networking devices and operations. • Design efficient networked systems. • Implement and diagnose networked system.
There are two parts based on the scenario. You are required to contextualize the task as per the given scenario wherever possible. Each student has to submit their assignment as guided in the assignment brief. The students are guided what sort of information is to be produced to meet the targeted criteria. All the tasks need to be done individually and the student has to produce an individual assignment.
Assignment submission format Each student has to submit their assignment as guided in the assignment brief. The students are guided what sort of information is to produce to meet the criteria targeted. Some tasks might require group work, but the student has to produce individual assignment.
Scenario I
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Nabil Bank Ltd is a National level commercial banks in Nepal. Nabil bank was founded in 1989. Now it is running up with a paid up capital of over 18.46 billion rupees. The head office and corporate office of the bank is located in Kathmandu. The bank has a network of 185 branches, 158 Branchless banking, 12 Extension counter and 218 ATM terminals. The organization has recently made a decision of opening a new branch in Biratnagar, Morang in order to facilitate general public with its financial services. For the given branch, central office has decided with the following structure of the office.
There are five departments with following responsibilities and infrastructure: IT Department (6 Computers): It is the department with core responsibility of managing, configuring and maintaining the IT infrastructure of the branch office. Network and System management, configuration of server features and services, network planning, design and implementation, etc. are the main functionalities of this department. There is infrastructure for IT officer and Assistant IT Officer available in the bank. Finance Planning Department (14 Computers): This department is responsible for financial planning of the bank. It comprises of Finance Officer along with other three lower level officers responsible for the operation of finance department. HR Department (5 Computers): This department is responsible for managing and optimizing the work force of the branch. Hiring, firing, capacity development of working personnel, etc. are some of the main responsibilities of the bank. It comprises of a HR Officer allowing with an assistant officer for its operation. Management Department (18 Computers): This department is solely responsible for operational management of the branch office. It comprises of a Branch Manager and other two personnel for its operation. Account Department (12 Computers): This department is responsible for handling all the accounts of bank. Regular internal audit and monitoring of account is done by this department. It comprises of Account Head and other two account staffs for its operation. You have been hired as and IT officer in the IT Department and your major roles and responsibilities are to Plan, manage, design, implement and optimize the network system for the bank considering IP addressing, Server System, various other services, Network devices, Security devices etc. In order to prepare a report, your report will demonstrate that you understand the principles of network infrastructure management and able to design, implement and test complex network systems suitable to banking sector.
Part 1
LO1 Examine networking principles and their protocols.
LO2 Explain networking devices and operations.
You will need to produce a report for the CEO that includes the following:
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1. An introduction to provide an overview of your report. 2. An explanation of networking principles, protocols and devices, including benefits and constraints of networked solutions, the impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth requirements, effectiveness of networking systems, operating principles of networking devices and server types and networking software. Part 2
LO3 Design efficient networked systems.
LO4 Implement and diagnose networked systems.
This part of the assignment will contain the following based on the tasks in section 1 and section 2.
• A LAN design plan and blueprint and justification document. • A fully completed test plan including an evaluation of results and recommendations for improvements to LAN. • A proposed and justified maintenance schedule. • Evidence of an implemented network.
Section 1 based on the scenario above, design efficient networked systems
1. Prepare a written step-by-step plan of how you are going to design a Local Area Network including a blueprint of your LAN. 2. Justify your choice of devices for your network design. 3. Produce a test plan to evaluate this design for the requirements of bandwidth and cost constraints as per user specifications.
4. Justify the security requirements and quality of services needed for selection of accessories. 5. Suggest a maintenance schedule to support the networked system.
Section 2 Implement test and diagnose networked systems
1. Implement a networked system based on your prepared design. 2. Conduct verification with e.g. Ping, extended ping, trace route, telnet, SSH, etc. 3. Record the test results and analyze these against expected results. 4. Investigate what functionalities would allow the system to support device growth and the addition of communication devices. 5. Discuss the significance of upgrades and security requirements in your recommendations.