RECENT ASSIGNMENT

ICT703
Network Technology and Management
Assessment Task 2
Assessment and Submission Details
Marks 35% of the total assessment for the course
Due Date – Week 12: Friday at 5PM
Submission details
Please submit this assignment as a single MS Word document (.docx) via the assessment module of the course web site on Blackboard. All assignments will be checked for plagiarism and/or collusion between individuals.
Please note that each student needs to make a second copy of the assignment and this copy must be produced within 24 hours of it being requested by the Course Coordinator.
Assignment submission extensions will only be made using the official Faculty of Arts, Business and Law Guidelines. Requests for an extension to an assignment extension must be made prior to the date of submission.
Notice: Parts of this assignment brief are taken from the Cisco Networking Essentials course that is copyright material. © 2017 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) is a Cisco Networking Academy.
Background:
You have obtained a contract position at a small advertising company called AnyCompany Corporation. Your contract responsibilities are to help them update their IT resources. The company originally started with two partners who produced print flyers for local businesses. Their list of customers has greatly expanded, and their customers are demanding more interactive advertising media, including video presentations. The partners recognize the business potential in this new market and have hired you to review their existing IT resources and produce a proposal that allows the company to take advantage of this new market. The partners have stated that if the proposal meets their requirements, they may hire you full-time to implement and manage these new resources.
You now have an idea of the scope of the project that you have undertaken, but do not have all of the information required to proceed. Using the details provided in the following sections you are required to prepare a professional business report of 2500 words addressing the nine activities identified below.
Part 1: Gather System Requirements.
AnyCompany Corporation has provided a written summary containing a floor plan, and a verbal interview with a company manager. Gather as much information as possible from these two sources to help you plan a technical solution for AnyCompany Corporation.
Step 1: Review available information.
AnyCompany Corporation Information: Because AnyCompany Corporation is a very small business, it has no IT department. Everyone has taken care of their own resources. If they could not fix the problem, they would call in an outside service technician. The machines are connected together through a 10/100Mb switch. The two partners and the office manager all have older PC tower computers with 2 Gb of memory, a 250 Gb hard drive, and 7 USB ports. The processors are AMD Athlon 64 x2 dual core processor and a CD/DVD read/write drives.
The systems are all still running the Windows 7 operating system, and there is a lowcapacity, monochrome laser printer attached to each machine. These machines are not capable of running the software required for video development.
The office will be reorganized, and additional employees will be hired to handle the new video production work. The company will have the following employees:
Administrative Manager – Duties include scheduling work, hiring and managing part-time workers, weekly payroll, and project tracking. The administrative manager uses spreadsheet and database software and must be able to use email provided by the ISP.
Film and Graphics Production Editor (one of the partners) – Requires special editing software that uses very high-resolution graphics and requires at least 16 GB of memory to run effectively. The software also interfaces with a video capture interface board that uses PCIex16 slot in the computer. This specialized software only works in a Windows 10 environment. It is important that the computer purchased for this position supports high-resolution video and has enough memory to enable the editor to work quickly. The production editor produces the final copies of the films and works within very tight deadlines. The editor must also be able to use email provided by the ISP.
Film Crew – The other six employees are mobile workers, consisting of two production assistants, two camera people, a production manager (one of the partners), and a film director. They are in the office an average of two days per week. The rest of the time is spent either at customer sites or on film locations.
Because all of the mobile workers are required to have access to email and production schedules, both at the office and while on location, it is important for them to be able to connect to the main office from anywhere. They have no special software requirements, but they do need a large hard drive to store the film files while they are working on them. The mobile workers must work at various locations and may not always be able to plug into a data port. It is important that they are able to connect to the internal network wirelessly.
Because of the sensitive nature of some of the documents and records required by the administrative manager, a private color laser printer must be installed in the manager’s office. A combination copier/printer and high-resolution scanner must also be purchased and shared among all employees.
For the purposes of training and compatibility, all of the computers should use the same operating system and applications, if possible.
No budget has yet been established for the completion of this project. The company is moving into this new line of business in order to boost their revenue, so it is important that the project be completed with the lowest possible expenditures.
Office Floor Plan
Step 2: Interview the Administrative Manager.
Susan Roberts: I am the new administrative manager for AnyCompany Corporation. I am very glad that we have hired you to help us plan our IT requirements and would like to discuss these with you. I understand that you have already been supplied with a list of our planned staff and some information about how they use their computers. I have some details that might be important as you select equipment and media for our new facilities.
You: It is nice to meet you, Susan. Yes, I received a letter that listed the numbers and types of employees working at the redesigned office. It is my understanding that there will be eight employees: two office employees and six mobile workers. Any information you can provide about how these workers will use the network can help me prepare the proposal for your local network.
Roberts: Both Fred Michaels, the film and graphics production editor, and I are in our offices during regular business hours. We need access to email, which we currently get from our ISP. The email system that they provide uses a web client that we can access over the Internet. We are also able to access this email from our home computers
It is necessary for both of us to share files between ourselves and also with the mobile workers. These files are usually spreadsheets and documents, but sometimes, when we are close to deadlines, we have to send large film files back and forth between the mobile workers and the office. Files must be available for download during the day, and also at night, when we are away from the office. These film files are usually between 5 GB and 20 GB in size.
You: The information I received also indicated that you require a shared printer. How do you plan to use this printer?
Roberts: We want to have a color printer that is also capable of making copies. Because we expect this printer to be expensive, it is necessary for everyone to be able to print to it when they are in the office. Some of our storyboard documents are over 100 pages, with lots of graphics.
You: How often are the mobile workers in the office? What do they need access to when they are in the office?
Roberts: Our mobile workers can be in the office anytime, day or night. They usually work out of their homes or on location, but when we are near a deadline, they can be in the office for 24 hours at a time. When they are in the office, they need to be able to use the printer and scanner. I do not want to keep files that the mobile workers need to use on my computer, because they might need them at times when I am not in the office, and the computer is not turned on. I also need to share files with Fred while we are working in the office. These files can be kept on my computer or his.
You: I understand that your email accounts are provided over the web by your ISP. Do you see a need for locally hosted web or email accounts?
Roberts: We also employ temporary, part-time employees when we need them. We want to be able to set up email accounts for them to use while they are working with us. We usually don’t have more than five or six temporary employees at any one time. All of them work from their homes and use their own computers.
You: Thank you for your time. I think I have enough information to get started. Are you the contact person if I have any further questions?
Roberts: Yes, please call me if you need more information. Thank you.
At this point, it is a good idea to review the notes and information that you have gathered and clearly summarize the requirements. If something is not clear, go back to the information-gathering step. Do not guess or assume anything, because mistakes can be very costly.
Step 3: Select the appropriate services and equipment.
After you have gathered all the appropriate information, it is time to do some research. You must now use your knowledge and research skills to propose an appropriate technical solution for their limited budget and time requirements. Proposing a solution that is beyond the financial capabilities of the company is of no benefit. However, it can be helpful to propose a solution within the current budget, and offer suggestions that would improve network performance or productivity if additional funding becomes available. If you can justify these extra expenditures, the company may consider them for later implementation or may even find the extra funding needed.
When developing a plan, it is often easier to start at the end user and then work back toward the network and any shared resources, and then finally, any external connections to the Internet or other networks. Many different forms have been developed to help with planning and equipment selection. It is a good idea to use one of these forms or to design your own to keep everything organized.
Activity 1
Use the following form to develop a proposed computer system for each of the employees at AnyCompany Corporation. Search the Internet or local sources for availability and pricing information. Use the same form to propose a server that can support their email and FTP requirements.
Computer System Planning Form
Job Role:
Location:
Component
Recommendation
Processor:
(Manufacturer, Model, Speed)
Memory:
(Type, Amount)
Hard Drive:
(Type, Capacity)
CD-ROM/DVD:
(Read, Read/Write, Speed)
USB Ports:
(Number, Location)
Video Card:
(Manufacturer, Model, Video RAM)
Sound Card:
(Manufacturer, Model)
Modem:
(Internal/External, Speed, Standard)
Network Card(s):
(Ethernet: speed, Wireless, Standard)
Operating System:
(Manufacturer, Version, Compatibility)
Monitor:
(Size, Resolution, Refresh Rate)
Printer:
(Manufacturer, Model, Type, Speed)
Speakers:
(Manufacturer, Model, Type)
Internet Connection:
(USB, Ethernet, Wireless)
After the end-user systems have been selected, it is time to look at the workflow and decide on any shared components and network technology to support this workflow. This can include such things as shared printers, scanners, and storage as well as any routers, switches, access points and integrated service routers. When planning a network infrastructure, always plan into the future. For larger companies, because it is usually a substantial investment, the infrastructure should have a lifetime of about 10 years. For smaller companies and home users, the investment is significantly less and change occurs more frequently.
Activity 2
Using the Internet and locally available resources, select a high-speed, color copier/printer for the AnyCompany Corporation office. Provide supporting details to justify your selection.
Activity 3
Propose a network layout for AnyCompany Corporation. Because the company has limited funds available for this project, it is important that only equipment designed for the small business and home markets be used.
Activity 4
It is necessary to plan the Internet connectivity, and which services are provided by the ISP and which services must be provided in-house. Larger companies usually provide services in-house, while small businesses and individuals normally rely on an ISP to provide these services. Most ISPs offer a variety of services and service levels. Selecting an ISP is complicated, and not all technologies and services are available in all regions of the world.
Using the curriculum and other available resources, select a local ISP to provide connectivity for AnyCompany Corporation. It will rely upon this ISP for DNS and web mail.
The ISP must also provide 99.999% uptime for access to the internal FTP/email server. Because you are the only IT person at AnyCompany Corporation, it is also important that the ISP provides a high-level of technical support. Create a comparison worksheet for several local ISPs, including costing.
Activity 5
Which internal services must be offered by AnyCompany Corporation, and which devices provide these services?
Activity 6
Complete the following network planning form as it relates to the proposed AnyCompany Corporation network.
Are wired connections required? Number:
Are wireless connections required? Number:
Wireless standard Choice of a/b/g/n/ac
Firewall required? Yes/No
ISP connectivity required? Yes/No
Type of ISP connectivity Choice of DSL, cable, serial, dialup
Internal or external modem required? Yes/No (if Yes, then type of modem)
Cables required? Yes/No (if Yes, then type of cable)
Battery backup required? Yes/No
Part 2: Plan the installation.
After the equipment has been selected and the required services planned, the physical and logical installation is planned out. Physical installation includes the location of equipment and devices, along with how and when these devices are to be installed. In the business environment, it is important to minimize disruption of the normal work processes. Therefore, most installations, changes, and upgrades are done during hours when there is minimal business activity. For the home, this is less important but should still be considered.
Physical installation should also consider such things as adequate power outlets and ventilation, as well as the location of any necessary data drops.
Activity 7
Using the provided floor plan and other appropriate information, plan the physical layout of all equipment data drops and power outlets. In addition, devise an implementation schedule that takes into account the work practices within AnyCompany Corporation.
Equally as important as planning the physical layout of the network and equipment is planning the logical layout. This includes such things as addressing, naming, data flow, and security measures. Servers and network devices are assigned static IP addresses to allow them to be easily identified on the network and to also provide a mechanism for controlling access to these devices. Most other devices can be assigned addresses using DHCP.
Activity 8
Devise an addressing scheme for AnyCompany Corporation. The scheme must provide all
network devices and servers with a static address and allow all other hosts to be configured via DHCP. Assign all devices an appropriate name.
Activity 9
AnyCompany Corporation is concerned that their files and resources may be vulnerable through the wireless network. Provide a security plan that allows only AnyCompany Corporation employees to connect to the wireless network and gain access to company information and resources.
Part 3: Prepare and present the proposal.
All of the gathered information and the proposed technical solution must be assembled into a format that makes sense to the company who has asked you to provide a solution. The formal report usually contains many different sections, including:
• Title page
• Executive Summary
• Tables of Contents, Figures and Tables
• Introduction
• Project proposal, comprising needs statement; goals and objectives; methodology and timetable; technical solutions and evaluation; budget summary; future plans
• Conclusions
• Bibliography and List of Refences
• Appended information
The report is often presented to various groups for approval. When presenting the report, present it in a confident, professional, and enthusiastic manner. The report must be technically accurate and free from spelling and grammatical errors.
Assignment Requirements and deliverables
You are to prepare a formal proposal report for AnyCompany Corporation that includes all the components listed above by detailing the equipment, management and security requirements for the above case study and justifying suitable technologies to enhance the business’s communications and networking within and outside the organisation. Be sure to include all cost information and network diagrams.
The report must be written in Microsoft Word. Multiple files will not be accepted.
Report Structure: The report must be formatted using the following guidelines:
• Paragraph text: Use 12-point Calibri single line spacing
• Headings: Use Arial in an appropriate type size
• Margins: 2.0cm on all margins
• Header: Report title
• Footer: Page numbering – up to and including the Table of Contents use roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv), restart numbering using conventional numerals (1, 2, 3, 4) from the first page after the Table of Contents.
• Title Page must not contain headers or footers
• The report is to be structured as a formal business report.
• Refer to the following references for details on report structures: Summers, J., Smith, B. (2014), Communications Skills Handbook, 4th Ed., Wiley, Australia
Referencing: The report is to include appropriate references and these references should follow the Harvard method of referencing. Note that ALL references should be from journal articles, conference papers, technical papers, recognized experts in the field or vendors’ and service providers’ websites.
Marking: The assignment will be marked according to the marking guideline at Appendix
A.
Appendix A – Marking Guideline
Marking Criteria Maximum
Marks Marks Obtained
Title Page and Tables of Contents / Figures / Tables 0.5
Headers and Footers and Page Numbering 0.5
Executive Summary 1.5
Content
Introduction 1.5
Activity 1 3
Activity 2 2
Activity 3 3
Activity 4 3
Activity 5 3
Activity 6 3
Activity 7 3
Activity 8 3
Activity 9 4
Conclusions & Recommendations 2
Citations, Bibliography & In-text Referencing 2
Total Marks 35 /35
Comments: