Network

//Rubric for Network section of paper: Provides a thorough network description including all of the following: 1. The type of network cabling to be used and estimated cost (in the budget) and 2. How the computers in the facility will be connected to a. the remainder of the building and b. the Internet. [2 pts] NOTE: You should contain a section in your paper with the heading “Network” – here you provide a written description of the items described here.//

Below are some ideas for the network design and layout of the building. The network design is a rough draft and doesn’t take into account existing equipment or the connection to the other building. The locations on the floor plan are approximate. Since a use for one of the former bedrooms was not specified I thought that it would make a good secure location for the storage of the network equipment. I am not certain of the HVAC in the room but that would need to be addressed before proceeding. The main network rack consists of a router that is hooked to the outside connection. How the switchers interface with the router will be determined by the router we decide upon. In this instance it is assumed that both switchers can be directly connected to the router. The switchers are then divided by task. Switcher 1 handles the wireless access points in the building as well as network drops in the two former bedrooms and the network drops for the teaching station in each classroom (except the computer lab).. This is assuming that there is a need and a budget for teaching stations in each room. Switcher 2 handles all of the network drops in the computer lab.

There is a lack of specifics about wiring plans but without a settled floor plan I thought this may be a good starting place? Also, I would assume the cable choice to be Cat6? Room sizes will be needed for an accurate estimation of cabling. -josh

Cat 6 cable makes the most sense. I would think we would want to do a star topology from a main wiring closet. Because the walls and ceiling of the small rooms are cement, it may not work to have one of them be a wiring closet. Instead, maybe we could have a wiring closet in the main room, or in one of the other classrooms in the building? Daniel, what do you think makes the most sense (because you've actually been to the space)? We also need information on the way that this lab will connect to the Internet. Where is the demarc? Does Internet access come from an ISP? -Sarah

Network

The network for the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) is a mixed network incorporating both a wired and wireless infrastructure. This mixed design is necessary due to the fact that the AISJ relies heavily on both a diverse set of laptop configurations and a fixed network of desktop workstations. The network for the lab facility computers has its own dedicated HP ProCurv 1400 switch supporting all 20 lab stations. The wireless network access points, network connections for the teaching station in the lab (as well as all other teaching stations in the building), the two ancillary lab rooms, and network access for the ceiling mounted projector and a file server, all share a second dedicated switch. This separation allows for independent management of the lab computer stations as well as an added level of security for faculty computers, and school equipment. All hard wired network ports are connected directly to the designated network switch. This is done in a star topology using runs of Cat 6 network cable housed in a racetrack mounted approximately two feet from the floor around the perimeter of the lab. The lab area that is to be upgraded is highly integrated with the rest of the building.

The lab physically shares network accesses with the entirety of the building through the design based around shared switches. Those switches are configured….(The rest of this paragraph describes how the switches are connected to either the internet or the other buildings that then provide the outside connection)

//I will post a polished more legable verson tomorrow (12-7)//