Number of Employees and Total Devices
Review the scenario and client expectations https://app.sophia.org/tutorials/introduction-to-networking-scenario-and-client-expectations about Greenfield Properties.
Based on the information provided by the client, answer the following questions in 2-4 sentences each. Be sure to explain your answers in detail.
How many employees will the new company have, and how many total devices, including PCs, tablets, and smartphones? (Ref: Touchstone Scenario)
What network architecture will be used: client/server or peer-to-peer? Why? (Ref: Types of Networks https://app.sophia.org/tutorials/types-of-networks)
When on-site employees access the network, will it be a PAN, LAN, or WAN? Why? (Ref: Types of Networks https://app.sophia.org/tutorials/types-of-networks)
What type(s) of cable should be used to connect the in-house hosts to the switch or router? (Ref: Coaxial & Twisted Pair Cables https://app.sophia.org/tutorials/coaxial-and-twisted-pair-cables)
Describe the types of servers that will be needed in order to meet the company’s networking goals. (Ref: Network Operating Systems https://app.sophia.org/tutorials/network-operating-systems)
Do you think the servers should be on-premises, cloud-based, or a hybrid? Why?
What operating system(s) should be used on the servers? Why? (Ref: Network Operating Systems https://app.sophia.org/tutorials/network-operating-systems)
Will multiple servers be virtualized on a single physical server? Why or why not? (Ref: Network Operating Systems https://app.sophia.org/tutorials/network-operating-systems
If you chose Microsoft Server software, which edition will you select, and why? (Ref: Network Operating Systems https://app.sophia.org/tutorials/network-operating-systems)
If you choose Linux, which distro(s) will you select, and why? (Ref: Network Operating Systems https://app.sophia.org/tutorials/network-operating-systems)
Number of Employees and Total Devices:
According to the Touchstone Scenario, the new company will have a total of 100 employees. However, the scenario does not provide specific information about the number of devices, including PCs, tablets, and smartphones.
To estimate the number of devices, we can assume that each employee has at least one device, such as a PC or laptop, and some employees may also have tablets or smartphones. Therefore, the total number of devices would likely be equal to or slightly greater than the number of employees.
Network Architecture: Client/Server or Peer-to-Peer:
Based on the client’s requirements and the scale of the network, it is more appropriate to use a client/server network architecture.
In a client/server architecture, there is a central server that provides resources and services to client devices. This architecture is suitable for Greenfield Properties because they require centralized management, security, and control over network resources. It allows for better scalability and enables efficient sharing of resources such as files, printers, and databases.
Peer-to-peer architecture, on the other hand, is more suitable for smaller networks where there is no centralized server and each device has equal capabilities and responsibilities. It may not provide the level of control and management that Greenfield Properties requires.
On-Site Employees Accessing the Network: PAN, LAN, or WAN:
When on-site employees access the network, it would be considered a Local Area Network (LAN).
A LAN is a network that covers a limited geographic area, such as an office building or campus. In this scenario, on-site employees are within the same physical location and connected to the same network infrastructure. LANs offer high-speed connectivity, low latency, and secure communication within a localized area, making them ideal for on-site employee access.
Personal Area Networks (PANs) are typically used for individual devices connecting to each other in close proximity, such as Bluetooth connections between a smartphone and a wireless headset. Wide Area Networks (WANs) cover larger geographic areas and are used to connect multiple LANs over long distances, such as branch offices in different cities.
Types of Cable for Connecting In-House Hosts to Switch or Router:
To connect in-house hosts (such as PCs) to the switch or router, twisted pair cables should be used.
Twisted pair cables are commonly used in Ethernet networks due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility. They consist of pairs of insulated copper wires twisted together to minimize interference and crosstalk. The most common type of twisted pair cable used in Ethernet networks is Category 5e (Cat5e) or higher, which can support data transfer rates up to 1 Gbps.
Coaxial cables are another type of cable commonly used for television or cable internet connections but are less suitable for connecting individual hosts to a switch or router in a local area network setup.
Types of Servers Needed:
To meet the company’s networking goals, Greenfield Properties would require several types of servers:
File Server: A file server would be needed to store and share files among employees. It allows for centralized file storage, access control, and data backup.
Print Server: A print server would be required to manage and control printing activities. It allows for centralized management of printers, printer drivers, and print queues.
Email Server: An email server would be necessary to handle email communication within the organization. It enables the sending, receiving, storage, and retrieval of emails.
Application Server: Depending on specific business needs, Greenfield Properties may require application servers to host and provide access to specific applications or services required by employees.
On-Premises, Cloud-Based, or Hybrid Servers:
The choice between on-premises, cloud-based, or hybrid servers depends on various factors including cost, scalability, security requirements, and IT infrastructure capabilities.
In this scenario, considering that Greenfield Properties is a new company without an existing IT infrastructure, it may be more practical to opt for cloud-based servers. Cloud-based servers offer flexibility in terms of scalability and cost-effectiveness since there is no need for upfront hardware investment or ongoing maintenance. Additionally, cloud providers often offer robust security measures and high availability.
However, depending on specific requirements or regulations that may require data to be stored locally or concerns about data privacy and control, a hybrid approach could also be considered. This would involve using a combination of on-premises servers for certain critical applications or sensitive data while leveraging cloud-based servers for other services.
Operating Systems for Servers:
The choice of operating systems for servers depends on compatibility with the required server applications and specific IT expertise available within Greenfield Properties.
For Microsoft-based servers, Windows Server operating systems are commonly used. They offer strong integration with other Microsoft products and have extensive support for various server applications. Windows Server editions such as Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2016 could be suitable choices.
Alternatively, Linux-based servers could also be considered. Linux distributions such as Ubuntu Server or CentOS are known for their stability, security features, and open-source nature. They provide flexibility in terms of customization and often have lower licensing costs compared to Windows Server.
The choice between Windows Server and Linux would depend on factors such as application compatibility, support requirements, familiarity with the operating system within the IT team, and any specific software dependencies.
Virtualization of Servers:
Virtualizing multiple servers on a single physical server can bring several benefits such as improved resource utilization, cost savings, easier management, and flexibility in scaling.
In this scenario, virtualizing multiple servers on a single physical server would be advantageous for Greenfield Properties. It allows them to optimize hardware resources by running multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single server. They can allocate resources dynamically based on demand and easily add or remove VMs as needed.
Virtualization also simplifies server management by providing centralized control over multiple VMs through virtualization management tools. It reduces hardware costs by consolidating servers into fewer physical machines.
However, the decision to virtualize depends on factors such as the workload requirements of each server application, performance considerations, available hardware resources, and the technical expertise within the IT team.
Microsoft Server Software Edition Selection:
If Microsoft Server software is chosen for Greenfield Properties’ servers, the edition selection would depend on their specific requirements and budget constraints.
For small to medium-sized businesses like Greenfield Properties, Windows Server Standard edition would likely be sufficient. It offers essential features such as Active Directory services, file sharing capabilities, remote access functionality, and support for virtualization technologies like Hyper-V.
Windows Server Datacenter edition provides additional features such as unlimited virtualization rights and advanced storage capabilities but comes at a higher cost. It is typically more suitable for enterprises with larger-scale deployments and specific needs for high-performance computing or advanced storage functionality.
Ultimately, the edition selection should align with Greenfield Properties’ networking goals, budget considerations, scalability requirements, and feature needs.
Linux Distro Selection:
If Linux is chosen as the operating system for Greenfield Properties’ servers, several popular distributions could be considered based on stability, security features, community support, and compatibility with required server applications.
Ubuntu Server: Ubuntu is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive community support. It offers long-term support (LTS) releases with regular security updates.
CentOS: CentOS is a free and open-source distribution based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It provides stability, strong security features, and compatibility with RHEL applications.
Debian: Debian is known for its stability and robust package management system. It has a large community base and offers long-term support.
Fedora Server: Fedora is a cutting-edge distribution that provides frequent software updates and focuses on innovation. It is suitable for organizations seeking the latest features and technologies.