DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAMPNET NETWORK
Introduction
If applied properly, sophisticated computer networking can help companies optimize their operations. In effect, computer networking provides a road to the future by allowing company information systems to talk to one another in an optimum manner. E-commerce enables businesses to streamline their everyday operations. At the same time, computer networking is allowing the dissemination of important output from smart technology to the appropriate parties whether they are within or outside the organization ( & 2003). Networking is something that gives so much benefit to businesses and institutions. Through networking business gets to share data, share different files, compare and contrast information and perform various activities using a specific data without the use of portable devices. The use of networking helps business in sharing data that other people may need to do the certain task or activity assigned to them. The use of networking helps in sharing different files.
These files may be in the form of reports, presentation, or letters. Moreover the use of networking helps business in comparing data with other data owned by other people in the organization. The use of networking helps business in acquiring data from different people in the organization and then comparing it with other works to come up with something that can help the company achieve its goals. Lastly networking helps in making sure that various activities can be performed by people using a single data without using portable devices. There can be different benefits of networking. One benefit of networking is it helps in making business activities be done easier; it creates an environment of efficiency. Networking through it having to undergo shorter processes to transfer files helps in making activities easier. Networking also helps in speeding up certain business processes. Networking removes the high probability of errors since files and data can be shared directly. This paper will create a network model to satisfy the needs of the CampNet Network. The different qualities and characteristics of the network will be included. A topology that can be used will also be included. The paper will also contain a network simulation. Moreover the paper will conduct an analysis of the performance of the network.
Network model for CampNet
The Internet is a network of networks. A simplified but useful view of it involves end-points, end-networks, and a core. The end-networks are the networks of companies, universities, and other organizations. The end-points are individual home users, typically with a single connected computer, although little end-networks are forming in homes as well. The core is a collection of ISPs (Internet Service Providers) such as AOL-Time-Warner, AT&T, BBN, and MCI. Each end-point or end-network connects to an ISP, and the ISPs have interconnection points ( 2000). Internet network topology is vast, and the engineering mechanism is intricate and introduces feedback into the traffic. Packet header collection and organization of the headers into connection flows yields data rich in information about traffic characteristics and serves as an excellent framework for modeling. Internet traffic data are ferocious. Their statistical properties are complex, and databases are very large. The protocols are complex and introduce feedback into the traffic system. Added to this is the vastness of the Internet network topology. This challenges analysis and modeling ( 2000). Networks help organizations and people in making sure that the files needed and vital can be transferred from one computer to another.
Figure 1
Proposed Network Model for CampNet
(*Taken from )
Figure 1 illustrates how star topology looks like. Bus, ring and star are the three basic topologies for networks, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Bus and star topologies require Ethernet Network internet card (NICs), while ring-based networks require a Token Ring NIC. Ethernet and Token Ring are the two most commonly used network access methods, although some newer methods use a combination of the two. An Ethernet network is less expensive to deploy, hence its greater popularity ( 1998).
A star topology is the topology that performs well. The structure is like a shape of a star; there is a central system that is connected to all members of the network. This quality of star networks help in making it less prone to failure of connection. When one member of the network fails other networks won’t fail because of the central system. The structure of a star topology network helps in making it easy to determine the problems and fix the problems. A star network topology is easy to replace or remove if there is a necessity for it. There are two things that prove that using a star topology may not be a good thing. Star topology is expensive. Due to its unique and complex architecture; star topology is expensive to implement for a company. Another problem that star topology may pose is it requires extra hardware for it to be installed. These two problems of star topology can be compensated by the fact that star topology works better than the other topologies.
CampNet network and the cost of implementing the design
WAN technology
Based on the scenario, the network has a gateway. If the gateway connects to the internet, the security remote access connection has to be implemented, so the VPN will be the best choice for this design of application.
The VPN can be classified based on its application:
- LAN – to – LAN VPN for connecting Local Area Network in the same intranet.
- LAN – to – WAN VPN for connecting Local Area Network through the WAN connection.
- Remote – LAN – access virtual private dial network (VPDN) for accessing Local Area Network and extranet application over a dial – up network.
Based on the scenario the LAN – to – WAN VPN will be better to install for the remote access than others because the whole network is based on the Ethernet connection but the Ethernet also has the gateway for the WAN connection.
- Cost of VPN
The first and the foremost reason have to do with pure economics. For the security problems, we can build a network using the private line but it is very expensive to setup. The most cost effective way to build remote access using the Internet such as Telnet and other remote access technologies, but the sensitive data traveling over the Internet is not secured from hackers, crackers and competitors. By the above reason, the VPN will be the best choice because it is inexpensive and more secure.
- Response times and performance
The performance is the very important factor for the network connection but the VPN can provide best solution for this case. For example, if users’ access is over a private network or shared public network the users would ideally like to have the same level of performance in either case. Some factors also affect the performance of VPN. For example the VPN has not predetermined path between two end points so that the response time will be short.
- Reliability and efficiency
The VPN will provide the highest level of data privacy, since potentially sensitive data is being routed across a public network. The VPN provide two popular solutions for data privacy. But the Telnet and some remote access technologies do not provide such solutions to protect the data privacy.
Reference cost of network initial installation
|
items |
num |
Per meter |
Total price |
notes |
|
Line for connection |
1600m |
100Euro |
160000Euro |
Connection each building |
|
2M Internet connection (for 3 years) |
|
£0 |
10300Euro |
Internet connection |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amount |
|
|
170300Euro |
|
Simulating the CampNet Model
Network simulation helps in ensuring that the network will be usable and it will not create more problems for the organization using it. Network simulation is a program installed into computers to check the status of the network, how data flows and whether or not data goes to its destination. In simulating the network the main consideration is how the system will work and what different problems can be encountered
Link1 fail simulation
When the link1 which is between node 0 and node 1 failed, as the picture shown above, the two Ethernet access links from node 2 to node 3, and node 3 to node 1 will perform the link between node 0 and node 1 temporarily to make a new 2M video single, both CBR and FTP data-stream moved to the new connection to keep transmission.
When the link2 failed, the CBR transmission between node0 and node 2 will pass the node1 and 3 to arrive destination.
The last situation of simulation was the disconnection of the link3. The screen-shoot shows the green data-stream (FTP data) will pass the node 1 and node 0 to arrive destination.
Performance Analysis
As important as it is, performance measurement is only part of a more general process called performance evaluation, performance analysis, performance assessment, or performance study. A 1995 report sponsored by the National Research Council on infrastructure performance describes performance measurement a technical component of the broader task of performance assessment, determining whether the infrastructure is meeting the community’s objectives. Performance analysis is the systematic and comprehensive evaluation of a technology or technological system, an evaluation that focuses not only on technical effectiveness, but also other dimensions such as safety, cost, reliability, and quality ( 2001). As part of the feedback loop of prediction and performance, evaluation may include assessing current performance in light of the experience base, identifying performance trends and anomalies, and making decisions or recommendations concerning future performances ( 2001).
New tests may be called for or new criteria defined. Performance standards are evaluative criteria agreed upon and recognized by members of a particular community and designed to be applicable across a wide variety of contexts. Such communities may be composed of scientists, industry workers, public policy makers, and/or the users of the technology in question. Performance standards may apply to materials or processes of construction, but increasingly they have come to be defined in relation to the actual use of a technology, to its performance in the field rather than the lab ( 2001).
Some Internet networks, particularly those serving the research and education communities, do make summary network performance data publicly available using map interfaces. These interfaces are popularly referred to as network weather maps. The maps are public-spirited information dissemination tools that provide network customers with useful information and that can also have a marketing function ( 2003). Another method for monitoring network performance are trace routes, these are Internet utilities that allow the active monitoring of real-time data routing and the debugging of connectivity problems ( 2003). Trace route works by reporting the routes that data packets travel through the Internet to reach a given destination and the time taken to travel between all the nodes along the route. Trace routes reveal the hidden complexity of data flows, traversing ten, twenty, or more nodes, seamlessly crossing oceans and national borders and moving through networks often owned and operated by competing companies, to reach a given destination ( 2003). The network can work better if the best and most compatible router will be used. There are two types of routers static and dynamic. Both are good kind of routers but the dynamic routers have the capability to determine routes without anyone directing it. This kind of router uses information from other routers via a routing protocol or routing algorithm. Choosing the best router helps in creating lesser problems for the company and makes file sharing easier.
In using the network there can be different problems that will be discovered. One problem is system failure. There are times when system failure occurs; system failure causes transactions and activities to be delayed. There are things that can be done to recover from system failure. One is implementing a fault tolerant design. Fault tolerant design helps in speeding up recovery time from a hardware fault. Another thing that can be done to recover from system failure is use RAID or Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. A Raid system combines two or more disks to create a virtual disk structure that can continue to function even if one disk fails. Another problem that may be encountered is data loss. One way to counter such problem is using a backup. Different backups can be used; these may be single backup server, individual tape units, and independent redundant backup. Storing backups off-site is a critical part of any backup policy because it helps in guarding against physical calamities. Another way to counter such problem is the use of an Uninterruptible power supply (UPS). UPS is a device that continues to supply electricity even after a failure in power occurs. UPS can communicate with a server through the use of specialized software.
References
