PROJECT SUMMARY: You have been asked to submit a proposal to a client, Sara Johnson, who is moving the small firm to a new office

PROJECT SUMMARY: You have been asked to submit a proposal to a client, Sara Johnson, who is moving the small firm to a new office location. The proposal is on the analysis and design of the office network. In preparing the proposal, you must decide on the architecture, topology, and network hardware and software of the new network. GENERAL REQUIREMENT: 1. For the proposed network, show both the logical and preliminary physical designs of the network. 2. Read through the Request for Proposal document (on pp. 4-6 later) as it will give you an understanding of the background and some initial requirements of the network.

BACKGROUND

Sara Johnson is the owner of a small landscaping firm. The owner is moving the business to a new office location and has asked you to submit a proposal for the network and all associated hardware and software. Knowing that you are an expert in networks, Sara Johnson is depending on you to analyze and design a network for the new office. HIGH-LEVEL REQUIREMENTS After meeting with Sara Johnson, you have gathered the following high-level requirements from the client: 1. Sara Johnson used the AT&T Business DSL for an Internet connection before in the old office. AT&T stopped offering new DSL services in 2020. Sara Johnson would like to explore other broadband options (e.g., AT&T Business Fiber, Spectrum Business Internet, etc.) for connecting the office to the Internet. 2. In addition to Sara Johnson, the firm has four full-time employees. 3. The new office needs four desktop PCs for the employees, one desktop PC for Sara Johnson, and one networked laser printer. All these devices need to be networked. 4. Each PC runs Windows OS and has Microsoft Office. The employees access a scheduling system over the Web. 5. The employees access their emails over the Web (through a business email provider). 6. The company maintains no local server. 7. Sara Johnson does NOT want a wireless network. CONTENTS OF REPORT You have been asked to submit a proposal for building the office's new network. The client requires a network proposal that includes the following sections: 1. Executive Summary: A description of the objectives of the proposal and a high- level summary of the report. 2. Needs Analysis: Described below. 3. Logical Network Design: Described below. this part is done 4. Technology Design: Described below. 5. Cost Assessment: Described below. 6. References: See pages 1-3 of this handout.

NEEDS ANALYSIS SECTION The Needs Analysis section basically contains the requirements of the network. You need to conduct a NEEDS ANALYSIS to come up with the specific requirements (i.e., more detailed than the general requirements shown above) of the network. The Needs Analysis will look at: ? Needs and specific requirements of the users (Sara Johnson and employees). ? Various applications necessary to support those needs. For example, Web email is an application. ? Data rate needed to support those applications. Needs Analysis must be detailed enough so that you can justify the solutions that you recommend in the proposal. After determining the needs, you then generate a Logical Network Design (which includes a logical network diagram).

TECHNOLOGY DESIGN SECTION TECHNOLOGY DESIGN refines the logical network diagram generated and produces a physical network design that will meet the requirements. The Technology Design section consists primarily of physical network design. In this report, you only have to produce a Preliminary Physical Network Design. The Preliminary Physical Network Design needs to include, at a minimum, the following: ? The exact configuration of each piece of hardware (e.g., router, printer, PC, etc.) such as manufacturer's names and models, and a brief description (in your own words with citations and references) of each piece. COST ASSESSMENT SECTION After you have gathered the exact configuration (manufacturer's name/model number) of each piece of hardware (and software), present a detailed cost estimate of the entire network. The Cost Assessment section should include a detailed cost assessment of the network, including cable, hardware, software, and labor. (Assume that 300 ft. of cable is needed for the office network.) Labor is an important component of cost, so include the cost of labor required to install the network. Use a planning figure of $300/person-hour and estimate the cost of labor required to implement the network. In addition, include the ongoing, operational cost of the network (such as monthly Internet Service Provider fee or any periodic maintenance cost) for three years. In other words, present both the initial, fixed cost of the network and the ongoing, operational cost of operating the network. Use a table to summarize the different cost items, as well as provide explanations of some important cost items in a separate paragraph. Notes As with any real-life problem with ambiguities or unresolved considerations, you must make your own assumptions, but be sure to explicitly state any assumptions. Feel free to find materials that support your recommendations. Your instructor may provide additional guidelines, but make sure that you provide adequate justification for any recommendations you make.