Running Head: CASE STUDY: JAMS MANUFACTURING (NETWORK TOPOLOGY) 1

Case Study: JAMS Manufacturing (Network Topology)

Student’s Name:

Institutional Affiliation:
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Executive Summary

Transitioning from regular machine set up to network requires a great deal of correct

configuration. Selection of required software and hardware configuration, communication over

Virtual Private Network, and proper network topology. Bus topology has been selected and

recommended for the office building and the three plants because of its simplicity in

implementation. Server configurations have been kept the same in all locations. Hardware

configurations are also the same for all the desktop systems of the office building and

manufacturing plants. The building and the three plant networks are connected with each other

via a secure VPN tunnel. In general, the network design provides low-cost expense equipment

yet efficient to the company.

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Transition

In this case study, there are ten workstations in each manufacturing plant and 25

workstations in the office building. For this scenario, the network design should not include

dependency among users; therefore, it needs to be essential and a basic LAN would be useful.

According to the requirements, there is a need for wireless networking, and therefore any

wireless devices like smartphones and laptops are out of scope in this scenario.

A bus topology is the most suitable network design because;

a) A ring design includes many interconnections between devices, therefore, rendering a

huge dependency on each other. The major problem with this network design is that if the

systems break or the entire network topology goes. It is not recommended for this

particular case study the business is on a low budget cannot be able to accommodate

these changes.

b) Comparing to a bus topology, a star topology has much less tolerance towards failure.

Repairing or replacing another device needs a huge budget. The capital investment of

business very less to make these changes.

For these reasons, a bus network design will be the best in the given scenario.

The network architecture would consist of a client-server network. The server will be

running on the latest Windows Server 2019 operating system, which will store the shared data in

a centralized location and also manage the entire network. The latest Windows Server 2019 also

has an improved Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and shielded virtual

machines. All the workstations and the peripherals would be connected to the main server

(Lathrop & Owhadi, 2016). The network architecture will include the main server with 25
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workstations. For the scenario of manufacturing plans, ten workstations will be connected to the

server too. Other elements in the client-server architecture will include a router, cable modem, a

printer, and a gigabit switch.

Hardware

Router

It is used to transfer data packets between computer networks. In this case study,

the router will be an essential device within the architecture that would be between the Gigabit

switch and the modem. Cisco RV 160W is a gigabit VPN and firewall capabilities.

Ethernet Switch

It is utilized to connect many computers together within the same network using Ethernet

cables. In order to ensure that the throughput is high, a gigabit Ethernet switch is used. The

suitable one would be Cisco Nexus 7700 F4-Series 30-Port 100-Gigabit Ethernet.

Clients

In the case study, there are 25 workstations in the office building and ten workstations

each in the manufacturing plant. Any device such as a printer or the workstation will be regarded

as the client. All the workstations will be connected to each other in the network topology

through the Ethernet switch using Cat 6 Ethernet cables to minimize errors and have less lag.

The HP Z4 Workstation would work best and is recommended in the given scenario (Forecast,

2019).
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Servers

A server is a more powerful computer that offers various shared resources to

workstations. It has the capability to store large volumes of data and, at the same time, manage

the entire network. Unlike workstations or regular PCs, the servers include server software which

is specific in particular and is designed to serve as a central location to store data and manage the

computer network.

Hardware Firewall

A firewall is a system invented to protect unauthorized access to or from a private

network (Sharma et al., 2018). All the data passing through the network must pass through a

firewall. It evaluates the data passing through and blocks malicious ones that do not meet the

specified criteria. Cat 5/5 e cables are utilized to connect the hardware firewall to the Ethernet

switch and the router.

Hence, a firewall acts as a protective layer between the internet and a computer network.

Software

Windows Server 2019: Windows servers are commonly known for making the best

server software in the world. The latest one comes with improved security, priority customer

support, dependable computing environment, and stability. Among its vast feature, it is also

across various distinct third party services and solutions.

Windows 10 64 Bit is the latest version of the operating system released by Microsoft,

which is consumer-oriented(Segarra et al., 2017). The windows operating system is ranked as

one of the most reliable and trusted systems for businesses across the globe.
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Benefits of this transition

The focus will only be on user-oriented tasks- The server will handle the major workload

of storing data since there will be a centralized server in each of the buildings.

Users will not be dependent on each other.

The built-in hardware firewall provides an extra layer for the security of the data as

opposed to the software-based firewall.

The current architecture is designed to allow for easy expansion in the future when the

need arises.

Cost Summary

Software/Hardware Price (USD)

Printer x3 300 each

Workstation x 55 (Inclusive of Operating 250 for monitor and 1000 for workstation each

System)

Server software x3 230 each

Cable modem x 3 120 each

Gigabit Switch 340 each

Servers x 3 1200 each

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Router x 3 250 each

Miscellaneous Cat 6, Cat 5/5 e Cables, other accessories.

Human Resources 5 Network Engineer, 2 Developers, 1 Project

Manager.

Reference

Sharma, S., Goudar, R. B., Puttasubbappa, C. S., & Fingerhut, J. A. (2018). U.S. Patent

Application No. 15/647,459.

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Forecast, G. M. D. T. (2019). Cisco Visual Networking Index: Global Mobile Data

Traffic Forecast Update, 2017–2022. 

Segarra, S., Marques, A. G., Mateos, G., & Ribeiro, A. (2017). Network topology

inference from spectral templates. IEEE Transactions on Signal and Information Processing over

Networks, 3(3), 467-483.

Lathrop, F. L., & Owhadi, E. (2016). U.S. Patent No. 9,459,678. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent

and Trademark Office.

 Plan Analyze and Design Configuration and Setup Test Deliver

Preparation of theb Preparation for the project

Signoffs Hardware sizing Vendor selection Purchase and store Install Individual machine test
detailed project plan management

Identify the lest critical set

Conduct adetailed Raise atender for Raise invoice for purchase
Underrstand the Discuss and prepare a of machines for the Test each machine and
Get signoffs on the plans feasibility and procurements of harware of hardware and software
requirements communication plan hardware and software plant after upgrade
compactiiblity study as per of bill of material from the selected vendor(s)
upgrade

Conduct market research

Conduct a higher level of for the best possible Discuss and prepare athe Conduct bthe quality test Install the hardware and
Discuss and prepare a risk
feasilbility and compactiible configuration criteria nfor vendor on the selected pieces of software on the identified Get signoffs
mitigation plan
compactibility study mapping the requirements selection harware and software parts machines
of each of the building

Identify the vendor for

Discuss and prepare
Prepare a detailed project different harware and Store the parts in
adetailed configuration
plan software from the selected awarehouse
design for the computers
vendor

Prepare a bill of
Discuss and agree on the
materials(hardware and
set of deliverables
software sizing)

get signoff of the materials

Work Breakdown Structure

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The ‘Red’ written texts are milestones