EverTrain is a fast growing organization that specializes in corporate training. It operates offices in 13 cities around the world. They specialize in government contract, human resource, customer service, and security training. Since there are many regional laws and cultural variations, EverTrain uses its offices to maintain knowledge of local laws and customs. The companys IT strategy so far has been to let the local offices make their own IT decisions. However, management has decided that it is now time to create a standardized and comprehensive corporate IT telecommunications standard.

Use the list of Key Topics from Module 2, outside research, your textbook to make recommendations for each of the question posed. Provide justifications for each recommendation. When you craft your recommendations and justifications, be sure to refer to number of the key topic (e.g. 3a, or 12b) that supports it.

Question 1: Local offices - Each office has separate departments for each of the specialized training areas, so each department wants to have its own LAN. Make a recommendation for the LAN networking technology in the local offices. Specifically, make recommendations for

A. The Access layer (Network protocol, wired infrastructure, Wi-Fi deployment, and interconnect hardware)

B. The Distribution layer (wired infrastructure and interconnect hardware).

Key Topics from Module 2

Chapter 6: Wired and wireless LANs

Why use a LAN?

Information sharing: file exchange, email, search the Internet

Resource sharing: printer sharing, internet sharing, cost saving

Dedicated network server and peer to peer networks

Dedicated: One larger computer acts as a network server

Can be interconnected to form enterprise networks or replace a mainframe

Used as Web servers, application servers, file servers, database servers, print servers, or remote access servers

Peer-to-Peer

All computers run peer-to-peer software that enables them to act as both a client and a server

NIC enables computers to physically connect to the network

Wired LANs use UTP/STP wiring or fiber optic cable

Network hubs and switches provide interconnection or cables

Wireless NIC (Wi-Fi) connect with radio waves to Access Points (Wi-Fi Routers)

NOS (network operating software) performs the data link and network layer functions

Requires the client and server software

Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) most commonly used

Contention based, and has to deal with collisions

Can operate on 10/100/1000Base-T and 10GbE

Switches are often better than hubs due to speed

Wireless Ethernet is Wi-Fi

Uses Star topology

Best practices Wire with 10/100/1000Base-T and overlay with Wi-Fi

Chapter 7: Backbone Networks

Two basic components

Network cable UTP or fiber optic

Hardware routers, gateways, switches

Backbone architectures

Access layer the connection of the LAN

Distribution layer Connects the LANs in a building

Core Layer Connects buildings

Best Practices Switched distribution layer, Routed core layer, gigabit Ethernet

Chapter 8: Wide Area Networks

Circuit Switched Networks A physical switched connection is established and maintained during communications. Connection is broken when ended.

Dial up with POTS or BRI ISDN

Speed: POTS 64Kbps, ISDN 23-64Kbps channels

Dedicated Circuits hard-wired, point to point

Topology ring, star, mesh

T-Carrier T1(1.544Mbps) to T4(274Mbps)

SONET OC-1(54Mbps) to OC-12(622Mbps)

Packet Switched Connect to common carrier

ATM no error control, up to 622Mbps

Frame Relay no error control, up to 45Mbps

Ethernet Between 1Mbps and 1Gbps

MPLS Supports many protocols, fast

VPN Encrypted tunnel over the Internet, inexpensive but unpredictable

Best Practices

Switched for low volume, low cost

VPN or Frame Relay for low transmission needs

Ethernet for high traffic

Chapter 9 - The Internet

How the Internet works its a network of networks, connecting through MAEs, NAPs

Users connect to an ISP through a POP

DSL/Uverse Dedicated circuit, connect to local DSLAM

Cable modem Shared circuit, connects through DOCSIS

Fiber to the Home (FTTH) 100Mbps to 1Gmps through Fiber optics

WiMax Wireless but never adopted by industry

T Services 1.544Mbps and up