HS1011 Data Communication & Networks

Assignment Requirements
Purpose of this assignment: This assignment consists of two parts: PART 1: Problem Solving
& PART 2: Topics Research.
HS1011 Data Communication and Networks 1
In PART 1, you deal with problems solving which includes the design of a network for a
typical client that requires their computers to communicate with each other and on the
internet. In addition to the identification and determining the specification of the problem,
strategies for its solution. Then you will have to evaluate the solution provided through the
reflective report writing. (600 words)
Problem One
You have been hired by a manufacturing company that has had its network in place for many
years. They currently have 50 computers connected to 10 Mbps hubs. You’ve been asked to
upgrade the network. This long-overdue upgrade is necessary because of poor network
response time caused by a lot of collisions occurring during long file transfers between
clients and servers.
• How do you recommend upgrading this network?
• What interconnecting devices will you use, and what benefit will you get from using
these devices?
• Write a short memo describing the upgrade and, if possible, include a drawing of the
new network.
Problem Two
Holmes.com has 250 networked computers and five servers and uses a star topology wired
network to reach employees’ offices, with a bus interconnecting three floors in its office
building. Because of a staggering influx of Internet business, the network administrator’s
task is to boost network performance and availability as much as possible.
The company also wants a network design that’s easy to reconfigure and change because
workgroups form and disband frequently, and their membership changes regularly. All
computers must share sensitive data and control access to customer files and databases.
Aside from the customer information and billing databases, which run on all servers,
employees’ desktop computers must run standard word-processing and spreadsheet
programs.
Fill in the following lines to evaluate the requirements for this network. After you finish,
determine the best network topology or topology combination for the company. On a blank
piece of paper, sketch the network design you think best suits the needs of Holmes.com.
Remember: High performance and easy reconfiguration are your primary design goals!
• What type of topology should be used in this network?
• Will the network be peer-to-peer or server based?
• How many computers will be attached to the network?
• What kind of networking device is easiest to reconfigure? What kind offers the best
access to the network medium’s bandwidth between pairs of devices?
HS1011 Data Communication and Networks 2
Problem Three
Holmes, Inc. has two sites in Pittsburgh that are 4 miles apart. Each site consists of a large
factory with office space for 25 users at the front of the factory and up to 20 workstations in
two work cells on each factory floor. All office users need access to an inventory database
that runs on a server at the Allegheny Street location; they also need access to a billing
application with data residing on a server at the Monongahela site.
All factory floor users also need access to the inventory database at the Allegheny Street
location. Office space is permanently configured, but the manufacturing space must be
reconfigured before each new manufacturing run begins. Wiring closets are available in the
office space. Nothing but a concrete floor and overhead girders stay the same in the work
cell areas. The computers must share sensitive data and control access to files.
Aside from the two databases, which run on the two servers, office computers must run
standard word-processing and spreadsheet programs. Work cell machines are used strictly
for updating inventory and quality control information for the Allegheny Street inventory
database. Workstations in the manufacturing cells are switched on only when they’re in use,
which might occur during different phases of a manufacturing run. Seldom is a machine in
use constantly on the factory floor.
Fill in the following lines to evaluate the requirements for this network. After you finish,
determine the best network topology or topology combination for the company.
• Will the network be peer-to-peer or server based?
• How many computers will be attached to the network?
• What topology works best for the offices, given the availability of wiring closets?
What topology works best for the factory floor, given its need for constant
reconfiguration?
HS1011 Data Communication and Networks 3
In PART 2, you will be given different topics that you are required to do Internet research to
provide a short explanation about each concept. (900 words)
Topic One
You learned about network hardware. To prepare for this topic, search for the following
terms online.
1. Network interface card
2. Switch
3. Router
Read and research at least one article about each term and write a brief description
summarizing your findings.
Topic Two
Does anyone in your area offer a WiMax service? If yes, write a brief summary that includes
the service’s main features.
Topic Three
Write about the types of network applications exist at your place of employment or your
college including:
• Local area networks involved
• Wide area networks
• In addition to any other types of networks.
HS1011 Data Communication and Networks 4
Assignment Submission
Create a business report with:
Cover page
• Document Title
• Author(s) information
Table of contents
• You have to use Microsoft Word build-in function to create a Table of Contents.
Executive Summary
• What this assignment is about and what you want to achieve (should be about 100
words, ES is differed to compare with Introduction).
Introduction
• Data Communication & Networks admin/consultant/expert role. You are required to
list the major responsibilities which you should take on to help in solving the business’
problem. What is your basic plan? Where do you start from? What do you want to
achieve?
• The purpose of your work
• The structure of your report
The assignment submission should take the form of a report that thoroughly details the
problems solving and the topics research. All information sources must be appropriately
acknowledged and a full bibliography is required.
Note:
It is expected that this will be completely your own work. Therefore using the ‘cut and paste’
technique is not accepted. You should read relevant material, and then write your report in
your own words.
Copying another student’s work is prohibited. Duplicate material will result in zero mark.
Information on proper practice in assessments is available on the web site referred to in the
unit outline.

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