Table of Contents
1.0 Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 System analysis and requirements specification ........................................................................................................ 2
1.1 Hosts ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Essential Services .................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2.1 Network Address Translation (NAT) ................................................................................................................ 2
DHCP/DNS ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Web Server [Brisbane HO] ........................................................................................................................................ 2
MySQL Server [Brisbane HO] .................................................................................................................................... 2
Exchange Server (email, calendar) [Brisbane HO] .................................................................................................... 2
Voice over IP (VoIP) ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Intranet [Brisbane HO] .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Active Directory Server ............................................................................................................................................. 3
File Server [Brisbane/Melbourne HO]...................................................................................................................... 3
Backup Server [Brisbane/Melbourne HO, External] ................................................................................................. 3
Corporate Server ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Stock Database [Brisbane/Melbourne HO]............................................................................................................... 3
HR Database [Brisbane/Melbourne HO] ................................................................................................................... 3
Accounting Database [Brisbane/Melbourne HO] ..................................................................................................... 3
Video Conferencing Server [Brisbane/Melbourne HO] ............................................................................................ 3
Instant Messaging (IM) ............................................................................................................................................. 3
2.0 Security ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3.0 Network architecture and topology design ................................................................................................................ 4
3.1 Network Option One ............................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Network Option Two............................................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 Generic Network Design ......................................................................................................................................... 6
1.0 Overview
2.0 System analysis and requirements specification
To provide the best level of productivity and growth in the network, the following will outline the business
requirements we expect for ABC Co over the next 2-3 years. We have estimated a 150% growth over this time.
1.1 Hosts
Based on figures provided about the current and estimated employment at each location, we are planning for:
229 users in the Brisbane Head Office
90 users in the Brisbane Warehouse
136 users in the Melbourne Head Office
75 users in the Melbourne Warehouse
Additionally each location will have space allocated for wireless hosts, servers, and printers.
1.2 Essential Services
To increase business productivity, and meet the requirements of the network design, we will implement a number of
crucial and helpful services throughout the network.
1.2.1 Network Address Translation (NAT)
The NAT will be deployed at each location, and will allow the internal hosts and those on the client wifi connection
to communicate with the internet without requiring a unique global IP address. Since IPv4 address’s are limited and
expensive, each location will use a dynamic IP address provided by the ISP for internet connections, however this will
not apply to the servers located in the DMZ at Brisbane.
Bastian Host?
DHCP/DNS
Essential to every network, the DHCP will provide each host on the network with its address. Most user hosts will be
set a dynamic leased IP in a specific subnet, while servers and printers will be given static addresses. The DNS
provides resolution to and from IP addresses and domain names
Web Server [Brisbane HO]
The web server will be located in the server room at the Brisbane Head Office, and will be networked within the
DMZ, outside the corporate network, allowing connections from outside the corporate network. This is one of the
key hardware components of the e-commerce website that ABC Co. has required.
MySQL Server [Brisbane HO]
Used primarily by the Web Server, and located with it in the Brisbane Head Office server room, the MySQL server
will provide the data to the web server for dynamic page creation. However the server will also be securely
connected to the internal corporate systems to automatically update and add products and stock levels from the
warehouses. The MySQL server is also a key hardware component of the e-commerce website.
Exchange Server (email, calendar) [Brisbane HO]
Voice over IP (VoIP)
As one of ABC Co.’s major expenditures was telephone services, moving the company to Voice over IP (VoIP) will
further reduce their day to day costs. VoIP uses standard IP services to deliver high quality voice to specialised
handsets, while using standard telephone numbers.
Intranet [Brisbane HO]
An additional service we will provide is a local Internet, hosted at Brisbane head office, only within the corporate
network or through mobile VPN, the Internet will provide staff with a central place to read news and
announcements within the company. We recommend the internet be made as every users browser home page.
Active Directory Server
File Server [Brisbane/Melbourne HO]
Found at both head offices, will be RAID protected high capacity file servers, providing various departments with
allocated storage space. As an first level of backup, this server will retain deleted files for a specified period to
protect from accidental deletion, and use RAID technology to prevent data loss from hard drive failure.
Backup Server [Brisbane/Melbourne HO, External]
Using similar hardware as the File Server, but running invisible to the user, the dedicated backup server will retain
copies of all critical information from all four of the businesses locations in the Brisbane and Melbourne server
rooms, as well as a contracted offsite location.
Corporate Server
Stock Database [Brisbane/Melbourne HO]
HR Database [Brisbane/Melbourne HO]
This is a server specifically assigned to the Human Resources department to run their client/server applications
within the corporate network. This server is only accessible to HR staff.
Accounting Database [Brisbane/Melbourne HO]
This is a server specifically assigned to the Accounting department to run their client/server applications within the
corporate network. This server is only accessible to Accounting staff.
Video Conferencing Server [Brisbane/Melbourne HO]
An important need of ABC Co, the video conferencing server will provide Video conferencing between the two head
offices with the ability to support 16 users at once. Doing this through a client server architecture will greatly reduce
the demand over the leased line, and prevent each participant having to send their video feed individually to every
other participant. The Video Conferencing is very high bandwidth, and would perform better, and be able to provide
higher image quality if a leased line option was used.
Instant Messaging (IM)
To further improve the communication between staff, Instant Messaging (IM) will be implemented on each users
machine, and provide quick and easy communication with any other member of staff, that may not require the
attention of a phone call, but faster conversing than email. IM is free, and has a tiny impact on network usage.
2.0 Security
Firewalls, DMZ
3.0 Network architecture and topology design
To best suit ABC Co.’s needs we have provided the following two network methods to interconnect offices. This
choice mainly only affects the Wide Area Network (WAN), while most Local Area Network (LAN) design will remain
consistent.
All major backbone connections (such as those between the router, switches, and servers) are CAT6 cable, running
at 1000mbit/s. Connections between switches and the hosts (and printers) will also run on CAT6 cable, at 100mbit/s
as to reduce the costs of switches, but provide easier upgrading in the future. The number and size of the required
switches will depend on the layout of the hosts in each specific building.
3.1 Network Option One
The follow WAN topology design uses high speed, private leased lines. This is the ‘better in almost every way’ option,
but costs significantly more. Since the leased lines never travel through any public channels, data sent over the lines
does not need to be encrypted. However due to the higher costs, redundancy is not present over the WAN
connection
Leased Line
Leased Line
Warehouse
Head Office
BRISBANE
Mobile Sales over VPN
ISP Connection
ISP Connection VPN Connection
The Internet ISP Connection
MELBOURNE
ISP Connection
Head Office
Warehouse
Leased Line
Leased Line
Figure 1 - WAN Topology (Option One)
External
Servers
Floor 3-A Floor 3-B
Corporate
Servers
ISP
Connection
Floor 2-B
DMZ
Floor 2-A
VPN
Connection
Floor 1-A Floor 1-B
Figure 2 - Brisbane Lan Topology (Option One)
3.2 Network Option Two
This design relies on the Internet as means to communicate between the different offices. Since the Internet is a
public space, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is required to ensure data is sent securely. Using the internet will be
slower, and require very high speed internet connections at every office. It does however provide interconnectivity
between each location individually
Warehouse
Head Office
BRISBANE
Mobile Sales over VPN
ISP Connection ISP Connection
VPN Connection VPN Connection
The Internet
ISP Connection
VPN Connection
MELBOURNE
ISP Connection
VPN Connection
Head Office
Warehouse
Figure 3 - WAN Topology (Option Two)
3.3 Generic Network Design
These diagrams relate to the network design regardless of network topology choice.