Week One (10/08/13 – 10/14/13): System Design Process

Details

Due

Points

Objectives

1.1  Review the foundations of system design.

1.2  Determine how complexity affects the overall network design.

1.3  Determine the effect of bandwidth and connection types on network performance.

Reading

Read the Week One Read Me First.

Reading

Read Ch. 1, “Foundation,” of Computer Networks: A Systems Approach.

Reading

Read Ch. 1, “Introduction,” of Network Analysis, Architecture, and Design.

Reading

Read Ch. 1, “Systems,” of Principles of Computer System Design: An Introduction.

Participation

(Main Forum)

Participate in class discussion.

2

Learning Team Instructions

Taylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project Paper and Presentation

(Preparation)

Design a network infrastructure for a new building for the Taylor Ambulance Company in the Virtual Organizations. This assignment is due in Week Five. Follow the guidelines outlined for this project:

·         Review the organization’s information on the Virtual Organization site. Pay attention to the current mission and functions, as well as staffing.

·         Utilize at least two outside references for each deliverable in addition to the course texts and websites.

·         Use Microsoft ^®Visio ^®to provide a cabling diagram and to determine the operating system and protocols needed for optimum 24/7 communications. 

·         For Week Five, consolidate all sections of the paper into a final submission including a persuasive conclusion that convinces the company executives that the network design is feasible and necessary. The final paper must be 8 to 10 pages and formatted consistent with APA guidelines.

·         Createa 5- to 10-slide Microsoft ^®PowerPoint ^®presentation that describes the necessary changes to the network infrastructure, outlining the benefits to company personnel. 

o    Include speaker notes in the presentation to assist presenters who may not be IT-oriented and provide this presentation to nontechnical personnel.

o    You may add narration to the presentation. For tips on how to do this, refer to the University of Phoenix Material: Recording a Narration.

Individual

SkillSoft Enterprise Network Architectures

Resources:SkillSoft (2012). CISA Domain: IS Operations, Maintenance, and Support – Part 2.

CompleteEnterprise Network Architectures Model module in Skillport.

Preparea 2- to 3-page paper describing thetypes of networks commonly found in enterprises.

·         Describe the five types of networks and how they differ based on organizational requirements, interconnected devices and geographical area served.

·         Describe the uses of directory services, DNS, DHCP, network management and remote access services. Generally, what do network services provide?

·         What are the characteristics of wireless LAN or WLAN in terms of their use in a wired Ethernet Lan environment?

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. A minimum of two outside academic references are required in addition to using course texts and SkillSoft course materials.

Monday

(10/14/13)

2

Discussion Questions

Main Forum

Respond to weekly discussion questions.

Thursday (10/10/13)

2

Week Two(10/15/13 – 10/21/13) : Internetworking

Details

Due

Points

Objectives

2   

2.1  Distinguish among the types of internetworking connections and their best uses.

2.2  Explain the methods fostering optimum network connectivity.

2.3  Assess the financial aspects involved in developing internetworking capability.

Reading

Read the Week Two Read Me First.

Reading

Read Ch. 2, “Getting Connected,” of Computer Networks: A Systems Approach.

Reading

Read Ch. 3, “Internetworking,” of Computer Networks: A Systems Approach.

Reading

Read Ch. 2, “Elements of Computer System Organization,” of Principles of Computer System Design: An Introduction.

Participation

Participate in class discussion.

2

Individual

OPNET Guru Lab 1: CSMA (Ethernet)

Complete Lab 1 for OPNET Guru. 

Read and follow the lab instructions for Lab 1: CSMA for this assignment which can be found on the student website.

Locate the Toolwire provided OPNET IT Guru remote desktop using the following instructions:

1.     Click on the OPNET Guru link located on your student website.

2.     On the Welcome page, make sure you download the Citrix Web Clientplug-in.

3.     Click  Lab Access. Your lab session will launch.

4.     Double-click the ITGURU icon on your virtual desktop.

5.     Accept the software agreement.

Create a report that includes the following:

·         A cover page

·         A summary of the lab’s topic

·         A brief description of the process you followed to complete the lab

·         Results obtained and analysis

·         Answers to questions at the end of the lab

·         A conclusion that includes what you learned, difficulties experienced during the lab, and recommendations

Monday (10/21/13)

2

Individual

Network Connections Paper

Connectivity for users is a main concern for the network administrator; providing the best architecture is fundamental. Providing this architecture is part of the initial planning process that must take place prior to implementation. 

Review the various components needed to ensure connectivity and prepare a 3- to 5-page paper describing these components as well as how the types of connectivity, such as Ethernet or wireless, affect the network’s reliability.

·         Identify issues that can affect network efficiency based on connectivity type.

·         Provide examples of how ISP connectivity service types, such as DSL, CATV, or FTTH, can dictate what options are available for connectivity.

·         Explain how these options change depending on personal or business use and discuss their financial implications.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. A minimum of two outside academic references are required in addition to using course texts and websites.

Monday (10/21/13)

14

Learning Team

Taylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project

Review the intranet information available for Taylor Ambulance Company. Little network design information may be available.The team must review the current mission, function, and personnel to determine what types of network connectivity are required. 

Completethese sections this week, which must be 3 to 4 pages:

·         Determine which modes of network connectivity would best meet the company’s needs.

·         Begin a review of possible costs of using the selected modes to assist in developing a network architecture model through the remainder of the project.

Monday (10/21/13)

2

Discussion Questions

Main Forum

Respond to weekly discussion questions.

Thursday (10/17/13)

2

Week Three (10/22/13 – 10/28/13): Design Considerations

Details

Due

Points

Objectives

3   

3.1  Utilize the requirements analysis process.

3.2  Assess tools and measurement devices for determining performance requirements.

3.3  Explain how advanced routing protocols affect users’ network confidence.

Reading

Read the Week Three Read Me First.

Reading

Read Ch. 4, “Advanced Internetworking,” of Computer Networks: A Systems Approach.

Reading

Read Ch. 2, “Requirements Analysis: Concepts,” of Network Analysis, Architecture, and Design.

Reading

Read Ch. 3, “Requirements Analysis: Process,” of Network Analysis, Architecture, and Design.

Participation

Participate in class discussion.

2

Individual

OPNET Guru Lab 5: Net Design

Complete Lab 5 for OPNET Guru.

Create a report that follows the guidelines in the Week Two assignment.

Submit the report to your Individual forum.

Monday (10/28/13)

2

Individual

Requirements Analysis Paper

Prepare a 3- to 5-page paper including the following:

·         List and describe the sections that must be included in a requirements analysis.

·         Identify specific tools that can be used to assist in determining performance requirements as part of the analysis.

·         Identify the appropriate stakeholders that should be included in developing each section.

·         Describe how using this process improves the network design and user satisfaction. 

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. A minimum of two outside academic references are required in addition to using course texts and websites.

Monday (10/28/13)

13

Learning Team

Taylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project

Review the intranet information available for Taylor Ambulance Company. Little network design information may be available.The team must review the current mission, function, and personnel to determine what types of network connectivity are required.

Completethese sections this week, which must be 3 to 4 pages:

·         Review possible options for connectivity performance needed for this industry.

·         Determine the best protocols to use for meeting the performance goals.

·         Explain how advanced routing protocols affect user network confidence.

·         Utilize the requirements analysis process in deciding what performance requirements will be needed.

·         Begin the network design using Microsoft ^®Visio ^®to show the network cable infrastructure and equipment necessary to institute needed performance.

Monday (10/28/13)

2

Discussion Questions

Main Forum

Respond to weekly discussion questions.

Thursday (10/24/13)

2

Week Four (10/29/13 – 11/04/13): Network Performance Architecture and Design

Details

Due

Points

Objectives

4   

4.1  Determine the effectiveness of data analysis in developing network architecture.

4.2  Describe how quality of service is dependent on the network architecture design. 

4.3  Determine how resource allocation affects quality of service in the design.

4.4  Determine required documents and design criteria for using an outside vendor.

Reading

Read the Week Four Read Me First.

Reading

Read Ch. 6, “Congestion Control and Resource Allocation,” of Computer Networks: A Systems Approach.

Reading

Read Ch. 8, “Performance Architecture,” of Network Analysis, Architecture, and Design.

Reading

Read Ch. 10, “Network Design,” of Network Analysis, Architecture, and Design.

Participation

Participate in class discussion.

2

Learning Team Instructions

Taylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project

Presentation

(Preparation)

Begin working on the Microsoft ^®PowerPoint ^®presentation for the Taylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project Presentation, due in Week Five.

Individual

OPNET Guru Lab 12: RSVP: Resource Reservation Protocol

Complete Lab 12 for OPNET Guru. 

Read and follow the lab instructions for Lab 12: RSVP for this assignment which can be found on the student website.

Create a report that follows the guidelines in the Week Two assignment.

Submit the report to your Individual forum.

Monday (11/04/13)

2

Individual

Performance Architecture Paper

Prepare a 3- to 5-page paper including the following:

·         List and describe the requirements sections that must be included in developing a performance architecture plan.

·         Identify the appropriate performance mechanisms and architectural considerations that should be included in developing each section of the plan.

o    How does resource allocation affect quality of service?

·         Describe the role of the vendor in ensuring that the final architecture meets the plan specifications.

o    What documents are required when using an outside vendor?

Format your paper consistent withAPA guidelines. A minimum of two outside academic references are required in addition to using course texts and websites.

Monday (11/04/13)

13

Learning Team

Taylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project

Review the intranet information available for Taylor Ambulance Company. Little network design information may be available.The team will have to review the current mission, function, and personnel to determine what types of network connectivity are required. 

Complete these sections this week, which must be 3 to 4 pages:

·         Determine appropriate protocols to ensure needed quality of service, which will allow for needed priorities in the organization

·         Identify and describe the use of tools for measuring quality of service

·         Identify terms that must be included in the service-level agreement for ensure quality of service is maintained.

Monday (11/04/13)

2

Discussion Questions

Main Forum

Respond to weekly discussion questions.

Thursday (10/31/13)

2

Week Five (11/05/13 – 11/11/13): Network Security

Details

Due

Points

Objectives

5   

5.1  Develop a threat analysis.

5.2  Identify the major methods of deterring network attacks.

5.3  Determine how to use tools to evaluate best security mechanisms for dealing with internal and external threats.

Reading

Read the Week Five Read Me First.

Reading

Read Ch. 8, “Network Security,” of Computer Networks: A Systems Approach.

Reading

Read Ch. 9, “Security and Privacy Architecture,” of Network Analysis, Architecture, and Design.

Participation

Participate in class discussion.

2

Individual

OPNET Guru Lab 13: Firewalls and VPN

Complete Lab 13 for OPNET Guru.

Read and follow the lab instructions for Lab 13: VPN for this assignment which can be found on the student website.

Create a report that follows the guidelines in the Week Two assignment.

Submit the report to your Individual forum.

Monday (11/11/13)

2

Learning Team

Taylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project Paper

Complete the final section of the network architecture plan by developing a threat analysis.

·         Strategies for deterring network attacks

·         How to use tools to evaluate best security mechanisms for dealing with internal and external threats

Consolidate all sections of the paper.

Submit theTaylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project Paper.

Monday (11/11/13)

14

Learning Team

Taylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project Presentation

Submit theTaylor Ambulance Company Network Infrastructure Project Presentation.

Monday (11/11/13)

10

Discussion Questions

Main Forum

Respond to weekly discussion questions.

Thursday (11/07 /13)

2

Content and Organization 

70 points

Points Earned

Comments:

All key elements of the assignment are covered in a substantive way.   

  10

The content is comprehensive, accurate, and /or persuasive.

  10

The paper develops a central theme or idea, directed toward the appropriate audience.

  10

The paper links theory to relevant examples of current experience and industry practice and uses the vocabulary of the theory correctly.

  10

Major points are stated clearly; are supported by specific details, examples, or analysis; and are organized logically.

•       The use of Wikipedia as a reference is discouraged

•       Minimum of 2 references in addition to the course texts and web sites

  10

The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points.

  10

The conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper, and reviews the major points.

  10

Readability and Style 

15 Points

Points Earned

Comments:

Paragraph transitions are present and logical and maintain the flow throughout the paper.

  3

The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.

  3

Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.

  3

Sentences are well-constructed, with consistently strong, varied sentences.

  3

Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of thought.

  3

Mechanics

15 points

Points Earned

Comments:

The paper, including the title page, reference page, tables, and appendices, follow appropriate guidelines for format.

  3

Citations of original works within the body of the paper follow appropriate guidelines.

  3

The paper is laid out with effective use of headings, font styles, and white space.

  3

Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed.

  3

Spelling is correct.

  3

Total

100 Points

Points Earned

100

Comments: