Assessment 3
Designing and implementing a network
CSE2NFX Network engineering fundamentals
Objectives
- Examine the given scenario and create a performance analysis document.
- Apply appropriate network physical standards for different network scenarios.
- Determine and plan the appropriate classless IP addressing scheme for the given scenario.
- Assign proper subnets / VLSM subnets.
- Configure the networking devices.
Copying and plagiarism
This is an individual assignment. Students are not permitted to work in a group when writing this assignment. Plagiarism is the submission of another person’s work in a manner that gives the impression that the work is their own. La Trobe University treats plagiarism seriously. When detected, penalties are strictly imposed.
Further information can be found on http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/academic- integrity/explanation/plagiarism
Submission guidelines
Your assignment submission should be typed, not written/drawn by hand. Submit the electronic copy of your assignment through the subject LMS.
Submission after the deadline will incur a penalty of 5% of the available assignment mark per day capped at 5 days. No assignment will be accepted after 5 days. If you have encountered difficulties that lead to late submission or no submission, you should apply for special consideration.
Part A: Design the proposed network topology
Scenario
Digital Graphics Design (DGD) is a medium-size graphic design company located in Melbourne. It offers a wide range of graphic design services to different companies/clients to popularise their brands and help them with their publicity by creating state-of-the-art pieces such as flyers, logo, multimedia presentations, magazine titles, visiting cards, websites, profiles, and adding graphics to existing marketing material as per the client’s requirements.
The office consists of two levels. As a part of their expansion the managing director of DGD has recently hired two more levels within the same building.
Table 1 shows the total number of staff and devices by location and Figure 1 illustrates the current network setup.
| Level | Staff/devices | Number |
| Level 1 | Administrative staff | 30 |
| IT support staff | 4 | |
| Database server | 1 | |
| Printers | 2 | |
| Level 2 | Graphic designers | 40 |
| Marketing staff | 22 | |
| Printers | 2 | |
| Level 3 | Website developers | 35 |
| Managers | 10 | |
| Printers | 2 | |
| Level 4 | Project coordinators | 15 |
| Accounting staff | 5 | |
| Programmers | 30 | |
| Printers | 2 | |
| Total | 200 |
Table 1
Figure 1
All staff computers, database server and printers are connected to D-Link DES-1026G 24-port 10/100 (Mbps) unmanaged switches via Cat3 cable. Also, a Linksys gateway device is connected to the network for internet access. All staff save their work-related data over the local area network to a centralised database server (located on level 1).
However, after the inception of two more levels, the network performance has dropped. Staff are complaining about the slow transfer of data to the database server; also when sharing their work- related data over the local area network to other computers.
You have been appointed to redesign an appropriate local area network for DGD. The design should ideally be such that all the staff from one level can communicate with all other staff within the office with good speeds. The managing director of DGD also expects users to experience fast download speeds when browsing the internet. To avoid a slow and sluggish network, the managing director of DGD has asked you to propose a LAN design to fulfil the above requirements.
You need to perform the following task.
Task 1: Produce a performance analysis document
Based on the above information, you are required to produce a performance analysis document, including the following.
- Examine the existing local area network topology (as shown in Figure 1) and perform an analysis on why the current network performance is slow.
- Your recommendations for improving LAN performance.
- Recommended network components as part of improving the LAN performance. Provide a list of network components, network component specifications, quantity, location and compliance IEEE standards of the selected networking components.
You can use Table 2, shown below, as a template to list the components of your topology. The first two rows are examples. Starting from the third row, you will have to provide an answer for the Cisco 2811 router and your chosen network components.
| Component | Specification (Number of ports, speed, connector type) | Quantity | Location | Compliant standards |
| Hub (example) | 16 ports, RJ45 connector | How many hubs? | Level number | IEEE 802.3af |
| Cable (example) | UTP | N/A | Everywhere | Cat3 |
| Cisco 2811 router (Given to you by DGD) | 2 built-in Gigabit Ethernet ports More expansion slots are available to add more Ethernet ports. | 1 unit | Level 1 | <research and provide the standards for this device> |
Table 2
Part B: Implement IP routing in a simulated environment
Scenario
Digital Marketing (DM) is an enterprise marketing firm. As a part of their expansion, DM is planning to open two new branches in Sydney and Canberra. The managing director of DM has decided to use IPv4 class B network address 172.16.0.0/16 for both new offices.
Before moving to the actual design and implementation phase, the managing director provided you with a simulated design of the proposed network (as shown in Figure 2), which will assist you in understanding the entire network topology.
Figure 2
Table 3 shows the number of host addresses (including WAN link) for both branches’ LAN.
| Branch | Network | Number of hosts |
| Sydney | LAN1 | 440 |
| LAN2 | 390 | |
| LAN3 | 280 | |
| WAN1 (Sydney to Canberra) | 1 | |
| Canberra | LAN4 | 530 |
| LAN5 | 340 | |
| LAN6 | 485 |
| WAN1 (Canberra to Sydney) | 1 |
Table 3
You have been hired as a network engineer to effectively design the IP addressing scheme for each LAN and WAN link by minimum address wastage. Each LAN has a different number of host requirements, so, in this scenario, the FLSM method is not a good idea. You need to apply the VLSM method and perform the following task.
Task 1: Design the IP addressing scheme
This is a critical planning step. To support your planning, two table templates (Table 4 and Table 5) are given below.
- Fill Table 4 with the planned IP addressing scheme (in dotted decimal notation) for each LAN by using the VLSM method.
| LAN1 | |
| Customised subnet mask (VLSM subnet mask) | |
| Address prefix length (i.e., 172.16.0.0./?) | |
| VLSM subnetted network address | |
| First usable IP address | |
| Last usable IP address | |
| LAN2 | |
| Customised subnet mask (VLSM subnet mask) | |
| Address prefix length (i.e., 172.16.0.0./?) | |
| VLSM subnetted network address | |
| First usable IP address | |
| Last usable IP address | |
| LAN3 | |
| Customised subnet mask (VLSM subnet mask) | |
| Address prefix length (i.e., 172.16.0.0./?) | |
| VLSM subnetted network address | |
| First usable IP address | |
| Last usable IP address | |
| LAN4 | |
| Customised subnet mask (VLSM subnet mask) |
| Address prefix length (i.e., 172.16.0.0./?) | |
| VLSM subnetted network address | |
| First usable IP address | |
| Last usable IP address | |
| LAN5 | |
| Customised subnet mask (VLSM subnet mask) | |
| Address prefix length (i.e., 172.16.0.0./?) | |
| VLSM subnetted network address | |
| First usable IP address | |
| Last usable IP address | |
| LAN6 | |
| Customised subnet mask (VLSM subnet mask) | |
| Address prefix length (i.e., 172.16.0.0./?) | |
| VLSM subnetted network address | |
| First usable IP address | |
| Last usable IP address |
Table 4
- Fill Table 5 with the planned IP addressing scheme (in dotted decimal notation) for the WAN link by using the VLSM method.
| WAN link (Sydney to Canberra) | |
| New VLSM subnet mask (customised subnet mask) | |
| Address prefix length (i.e., 172.16.0.0./?) | |
| VLSM subnetted network address | |
| First usable IP address | |
| Last usable IP address |
Table 5
Task 2: Build the topology
After designing the IP addressing scheme, you need to create the network diagram shown in Figure 2 using a Cisco Packet Tracer. Use suitable cable types when cabling the devices (for example, Ethernet or serial). Label the devices as depicted in Figure 2.
- Save the Cisco Packet Tracer file as xxx_cse2nfx_assessment3.pkt (where xxx is your student number).
- Include a screenshot of your topology as evidence of the completion of this task.
Task 3: IP address assignment
Fill Table 6 with the appropriate IP addresses, subnet masks and gateways, as per the IP addressing scheme from Task 1. Once you complete Tables 6 and 7, it will be easy for you to configure the Ethernet and serial interfaces in Task 4.
| Network | Device/interface | IP address (in dotted decimal notation) | Subnet mask (in dotted decimal notation) | Default gateway |
| Sydney router F0/0 interface | N/A | |||
| Sydney router F0/1 interface | ||||
| Sydney router F1/0 interface | ||||
| LAN1 | Sydney_PC1 | Example 172.16.x.x | Example 255.255.x.x | Example 172.16.x.x |
| LAN2 | Sydney_PC2 | |||
| LAN3 | Sydney_Server1 | |||
| Canberra router F0/0 interface | N/A | |||
| Canberra router F0/1 interface | ||||
| Canberra router F1/0 interface | ||||
| LAN4 | Canberra_PC1 | |||
| LAN5 | Canberra_PC2 |
| LAN6 | Canberra_Server1 |
Table 6
| Network Device/interface IP address (in dotted decimal notation) Subnet mask (in dotted decimal notation) Sydney to Canberra Serial interface on Sydney (Serial0/0/0) Serial interface on Canberra (Serial0/0/0) |
Fill Table 7 with your planned IP addresses for the WAN1 link.
Table 7 Task 4: Configure the Ethernet and serial interfaces
- Configure Ethernet interfaces of all the end devices (i.e., Sydney_PC1, Sydney_PC2, Sydney_Server1, Canberra_PC1, Canberra_PC2 and Canberra_Server1) with the IP addresses, subnet masks and default gateways from Table 6.
- For Sydney_PC1, Sydney_Server1, Canberra_PC1, and Canberra_Server1 take screenshots of the completed IP configuration window as evidence of the completion of this task and include them in the Word file.
- Configure and activate the Ethernet and serial interfaces on each router using IP addresses and subnet masks from Tables 6 and 7.
- Issue the command ‘show ip interface brief’ on both routers and provide screenshots of the output.
Task 5: Configure the Sydney and Canberra routers
Perform basic configuration of both routers (i.e., Sydney and Canberra) as per the given instructions in Table 8 (below).
| Sydney | Canberra |
| a) Hostname | h) Hostname |
| The hostname of the router should be Sydney. | The hostname of the router should be Canberra. |
| b) Passwords | i) Passwords |
| Passwords on the router should be as follows. Plain text mode password as computer Encrypted password as powerConsole password as consolepass | Passwords on the router should be as follows. Plain text mode password as computer Encrypted password as powerConsole password as consolepass |
| c) MOTD | j) MOTD |
| The message of the day banner (MOTD) should be seen on the router as ‘This assessment is about designing and implementing an internetwork!’. | The message of the day banner (MOTD) should be seen on the router as ‘This assessment is about designing and implementing an internetwork!’. |
| d) Saving configuration | k) Saving configuration |
| Ensure that you have saved the above configuration to NVRAM. | Ensure that you have saved the above configuration to NVRAM. |
| e) Static routing | l) Static routing |
| Routing and linking the internetworks of Sydney and Canberra routers. Static routes should be implemented between Sydney and Canberra routers to route the packets between the networks of those routers. | Routing and linking the internetworks of Canberra and Sydney routers. Static routes should be implemented between Canberra and Sydney routers to route the packets between the networks of those routers. |
| f) Connectivity test | m) Connectivity test |
| Issue the ‘ping’ command from Sydney_PC1 to Canberra_PC1.Issue the ‘ping’ command from Sydney_PC2 to Canberra_Server1. (All ping results should be successful.) | Issue the ‘ping’ command from Canberra_PC1 to Sydney_PC2.Issue the ‘ping’ command from Canberra_PC2 to Sydney_Server1. (All ping results should be successful.) |
| g) Evidence gathering | n) Evidence gathering |
| Provide screenshots of router configurations (startup-config file) in the tabulated form (side by side, as shown here in Table 8). | Provide screenshots of router configurations (startup-config file) in the tabulated form (side by side, as shown here in Table 8). |
Table 8
Part C: Short answer questions
Q1. In Part B, Task 1, you have designed the IP addressing scheme for each of the six LANs by using the VLSM method. If the number of users is doubled in each LAN, will the current LAN be able to accommodate the additional users? Explain in detail to support your answer.
Q2. In Part B, Task 4, you have configured Ethernet and serial interfaces. Imagine, you have configured Ethernet and serial interfaces for the Sydney router, but you have ONLY configured an Ethernet interface on the Canberra router. In this situation, what will happen? Explain in detail to support your answer.
Q3. Provide a scenario where the FLSM method is better than the VLSM method, and the VLSM method is better than the FLSM? Explain in detail.
Submitting your assessment
When you have completed all the tasks, submit the assessment on the LP. You should submit the following:
- Submit your assignment in a single Word document called xxx_cse2nfx_assessment3.docx
(where xxx is your student number).
- Submit your packet tracer file called xxx_cse2nfx_assessment3.pkt (where xxx is your student number).
Assessment marking criteria
| Part A: Design the proposed network topology | ||
| Technical proposal document has been provided with the following: | Mark/Item | Mark/Task |
| A.1.1 Existing topology has been carefully analysed. | 4 | 24 |
| A.1.2 Explanation of why the existing network is slow. | 4 | |
| A.2.1 Suggestions have been provided for improvement on the LAN. | 8 | |
| A.3.1 List of network components has been provided. | 1 | |
| A.3.2 Network component specification has been provided in tabulated format. | 2 | |
| A.3.3 Quantity for each network component provided. | 2 | |
| A.3.4 Network component location listed. | 1 | |
| A.3.5 Compliance IEEE standards for networking devices have been provided. | 2 | |
| Part B: Implement IP routing in a simulated environment | ||
| Part B – Task 1 | ||
| B.1.1 Filled table with planned IP addressing scheme for LAN1. | 5 | |
| B.1.2 Filled table with planned IP addressing scheme for LAN2. | 5 |
| B.1.3 Filled table with planned IP addressing scheme for LAN3. | 5 | 35 |
| B.1.4 Filled table with planned IP addressing scheme for LAN4. | 5 | |
| B.1.5 Filled table with planned IP addressing scheme for LAN5. | 5 | |
| B.1.6 Filled table with planned IP addressing scheme for LAN6. | 5 | |
| B.1.7 Filled table with planned IP addressing scheme for WAN link. | 5 | |
| Part B – Task 2 | ||
| B.2.1 Network topology has been created using Packet Tracer. | 4 | 12 |
| B.2.1 Packet Tracer file saved correctly. | 4 | |
| B.2.2 Topology screenshot provided. | 4 | |
| Part B – Task 3 | ||
| B.3.1 Filled table with appropriate IP addresses, subnet masks and gateways (in dotted decimal notation). | 15 | 19 |
| B.3.2 Filled table with planned IP addresses for WAN1. | 4 | |
| Part B – Task 4 | ||
| B.4.1 Configured Ethernet interfaces of all the end devices with the planned IP addresses, subnet masks and default gateways. | 4 | 20 |
| B.4.2 Screenshots of the completed IP configuration window have been provided. | 4 | |
| B.4.3 Configured and activated Ethernet and serial interfaces on each router. | 4 | |
| B.4.4 Proposed IP addresses, and subnet masks have been used during configuration. | 4 | |
| B.4.5 Screenshots of ‘show ip interface brief’ command have been provided. | 4 | |
| Part B – Task 5 | ||
| B.5.1 Hostname configured correctly on Sydney router. | 1 | |
| B.5.2 Passwords configured correctly on Sydney router. | 1 |
| B.5.3 Message of the day banner (MOTD) configured correctly on Sydney router. | 1 | 14 |
| B.5.4 Configuration has been saved in NVRAM of Sydney router. | 1 | |
| B.5.5 Static routing implemented correctly. | 1 | |
| B.5.6 Successful ping results provided. | 1 | |
| B.5.7 Screenshots of the startup-config file have been provided. | 1 | |
| B.5.8 Hostname configured correctly on Canberra router. | 1 | |
| B.5.9 Passwords configured correctly on Canberra router. | 1 | |
| B.5.10 Message of the day banner (MOTD) configured correctly on Canberra router. | 1 | |
| B.5.11 Configuration has been saved in NVRAM of Canberra router. | 1 | |
| B.5.12 Static routing implemented correctly. | 1 | |
| B.5.13 Successful ping results provided. | 1 | |
| B.5.14 Screenshots of the startup-config file have been provided. | 1 | |
| Part C: Short answer questions | ||
| C.1.1 Explanation is fully correct and acceptable. | 5 | 15 |
| C.2.1 Explanation is fully correct and acceptable. | 5 | |
| C.3.1 Explanation is fully correct and acceptable. | 5 | |
| Total | 139 |
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