Help me design a network

just Scott · 22 Apr 2010 at 18:09

Hey guys. Not that great at networks, never really done much of it outside of my little home network, so I'm not entirely sure what kind of hardware I need for a network of this scale. I've been given this scenario and I need to produce a LAN design for it and then justify the hardware choices, network topology, MAC protocol, internet connectivity, etc.

The scenario is this: An organization has built a new 3-floor building for multimedia design. The new building will have 5 different departments where each department has about 50 users with a possibility to add more users. Also, a new department may be needed in the future. The organization has decided to install a LAN for the users in the new building. The organization also wishes to connect to the Internet and to operate its own world wide web (WWW) and email servers. The organization also has two other branches; each has its own network. One branch is located next to the new building (10 m distance) while the other is located in another city.

Seems simple enough, I have an idea in mind on how to lay this out. But I thought I'd get some more informed opinions before I continued to see if I'm heading in the right direction. Firstly, I'm wondering if there's a free network design tool I can use to make the layout look nice?

I'm basically wondering about hardware choices for now, and how the buildings are going to connect to the internet. Also hardware choices for connecting the 3 sites together I'm not sure about. Ethernet can be used for the one 10m away right? If so, what other hardware needs to be used to connect the two buildings beside the cable? Same question for the one in another city, but could you use fibre optics for that?

Thanks for any help dudes.

Dist · 22 Apr 2010 at 18:36

Is this for some school work or something?

Deleted member 77746 · 22 Apr 2010 at 18:47

How about you tell us the network design and maybe someone can point out ifs and buts.

just Scott · 22 Apr 2010 at 18:51

optitech-uk said:
How about you tell us the network design and maybe someone can point out ifs and buts.

What do you mean? The scenario is all I was given.

Dist said:
Is this for some school work or something?

Aye it is.

PhillyDee · 22 Apr 2010 at 18:52

optitech-uk said:
How about you tell us the network design and maybe someone can point out ifs and buts.

This.

You post your solution, and then let others pick it apart. This way you learn

I have no idea btw!

matthab · 22 Apr 2010 at 18:57

Thats very easy, regular thing for me to design that. Ill help you on a few things but the rest you will have to research

Ethernet can be used for the one 10m away right?

100m but signal starts to degrade at about 80m

One branch is located next to the new building (10 m distance) while the other is located in another city.

Depending on budget fibre or ethernet for the 10m distance then use a WAN link for the other building.