For this homework, students will design a networking solution for a fictional company (Wichita Boat, Inc). This will require that the infrastructure be upgraded and expanded in a manner that produces an efficient, secure, reliable, solution. The solution should include:

A very brief description of the organization

A description of the reason(s) behind the IT changes Tradeoffs that were made in selecting the solution (A discussion of alternative solutions may be necessary)

A list and description of requirements for the implementation Implementation requires more than just IT products.

A detailed description of the design (This needs to include illustrations of the network design of the solution.)

Wichita Boat, Inc.

Wichita Boat, Inc. is expanding and has asked for your help with their IT problems. You have met with the company president and learned the following information.

Wichita Boat, Inc. is located in Wichita, where it has office space and a manufacturing plant. The plant has some large equipment. The office has 100 users and the plant has 45 users. The infrastructure consists of an aging file server, an old application server, 45 desktop computers, and two networked laser printers on a 10base-T local area network. The servers are housed in a room that stores janitorial equipment and supplies. The network electronics consist of one 24-port switch and two 20-port hubs. Internet access does not exist. The server currently hosts about 150TB of data. Management estimates that another 800TB of data will be created over the next three years.

The current users have some problems that they want fixed during this expansion. First, those who travel want access to the company network and its information systems when they are away from the office. Second, upper management has no privacy when printing. And third, the employees on the shop floor have made numerous complaints about the accounting system. They report that MS Office seems to work alright, but that the accounting system routinely disappears.

Part of the expansion will be local. Thirty-five office employees and 24 plant workers will be added. Each of the new office employees will need a computer, whereas only half of the new plant workers will need a computer. The company will have unused space in its current building. The company also wants a web site to advertise its products, support its customers, and sell accessories. The stipulation has been made that the web presence must not compromise the performance, reliability, or security of the company’s network.

Wichita Boat, Inc. has just purchased a supplier that’s located in River Falls, WI. The River Falls office will remain in its present location. The former supplier’s network will need to connect to the Wichita network so that users at both sites can share files and email messages. The users at the former supplier’s office will also need to use the accounting application that is located in Wichita.

A small office will be setup in Banjarmasin, Indonesia for about one year. The members of this office will research local boat-building techniques and investigate purchasing local lumber. This office will have three employees. One employee will remain at the office, while the other two are expected to spend most of their time out of the office.