Network Basics - Research Paper Example

Full Paper Network Basics After reviewing the current network media, hubs are not the best option. Hubs copy every data packet from one port to the other i.e. host to destination. This functionality creates more traffic as compare to the functionality of a switch. Likewise, the school has also decided to introduce more services on the Local Area network (LAN), hubs is not a best option as it will create more traffic and degrade network functionality. Therefore, switches instead of hubs are recommended.

As per scenario, only two public IP addresses are available. One public IP address can be configured on a router interface and the other will work as a gateway. Before moving further, we will discuss the functionality of Network address translation, as it is considered as a key component in this scenario. As per network dictionary, it is defined as a process of mapping one group of IP address to another that is transparent to end users. Likewise, the requirement of address translation initiates when the internal or private IP addresses cannot be accessed by the outbound network.

However, NAT can also be considered as a security and privacy control in some cases. If each room has 24 computers, seven rooms require 168 IP addresses. If we use class C IP address scheme, we will have a total of 253 IP addresses. In a class C IP addressing scheme, 3 octets are used up making a total of 24 bits. The remaining octet that comprises of 8 bits supports a total of 255 IP addresses. The summary of this scheme is demonstrated below: Gateway IP Address: 192.168.0.1 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.

0 Broadcast IP Address: 192.168.0.2 Total Available Hosts: 192.168.0.4 -192.168.0.255 Router WAN IP address: 125.110.85.3 The above mentioned calculation shows the availability of total 252 hosts. As per current scenario requirements, we need 168 IP addresses for computers located in 7 rooms of the school. Likewise, the IP address 125.110.85.3 is a public IP address that will route the schools traffic from the WAN interface of the router and the gateway of a router will also bind a public IP that will work as a gateway.

Moreover, NAT functionality will translate internal private IP addresses and convert them for transmitting via a public IP address. For enabling Internet of specific computers, a proxy server will serve this purpose. Network administration can install Microsoft Internet security and acceleration (ISA) server for defining group policies and add users in a group named as ‘Internet access allowed’. ISA server binds the MAC address and IP address of a specific computer that needs Internet access.

Furthermore, users can be added or deleted from this group as per requirements. A second example includes a creation of a Domain, as it will provide centralized administration with the inclusion of Microsoft Active directory. Network administrators can change user access levels on a single computer that is called a domain controller, and the changes will be applied to all the computers of the school or for a group of users. However, if school administration does not impose Internet restriction any specific group of users, internet connection sharing is also a cost effective option that can implemented without creating a domain or installation of a proxy server.

For future considerations, school is expanding and most probably, number of computers will also be increased due to more enrollments. For addressing this challenge, 32 port switch installation is recommended in every room. Cisco 3750 series switch is capable of being stacked in which multiple switches are considered to be one logical switch (Donahue, n.d) and can be installed in every room so that the remaining 4 ports can be utilized by the newly installed computers. As we have selected class C sub netting scheme, we have total 252 hosts from which 168 are already assigned to the legacy systems.

The remaining 84 IP addresses are still left that can be configured on any new system, network device or printer. In case of a major expansion, IP version 4 can be shifted to different classification schemes. For instance, a range from 1.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255 provides a total of sixteen million IP addresses that are more than enough for a school. However, these the amount of available IP addresses varies in different classes such as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class, D and Class E. References Network address translation. (2007). Network Dictionary, , 334-334.

Donahue, n.d. G.Network warrior O'Reilly Media. Jang, M. H., & Downes, n.d. J.Mastering fedora core 5 Sybex.