Understanding the network internals

📝 Instructions

Based on the network that you build on the prework:

You are a network consultant and have been hired to improve the network architecture of a small company. The company currently has a network that has grown organically over time and is experiencing performance and security issues. Your task is to assess the current situation and propose improvements. You have the following information:

The company has the following requirements

• The network should have the capacity to grow up to 100 devices.
• The network should be divided into sub-networks for the Marketing, Technology and Accounting departments.
• The network capacity for each department is as follows:
  • Marketing: 30 devices
  • Technology: 40 devices
  • Accounting: 15 devices
  • The remaining capacity is reserved for future growth.
• Each subnet should have its own private server. Only the Technology department's server should be available to all networks.

Questions and Challenges:

1. Assessment of the Current Situation:
   • What is the extent of the current network?
   • What problems can be expected if there are no improves to the company's network?
2. Network Topology:
   • What network topology would you use for this company?
   • How should devices and servers be connected?
3. Network equipment:
   • What type of network devices are needed (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.)?
   • What technical specifications must these devices meet?
4. Network Security:
   • What are the security measures required to protect the network?
   • How should security devices, such as firewall, be configured?
5. Network Management:
   • How will network devices be managed and monitored?
   • What policies should be implemented in terms of personnel to have a secure network?
   • Will a network management system (NMS) or monitoring tools be implemented?
6. Implementation Plan:
   • What is the implementation schedule for the proposed enhancements?
   • How will these changes be communicated to employees?
7. Ongoing Maintenance:
   • What steps will be taken to ensure ongoing network maintenance and upgrades?
   • Will security policies and incident response procedures be established?
8. Evaluation of Success:
   • How will the success of the enhancements be measured? What metrics will be used to evaluate network performance and security after implementation?

⚠️ Remember: There are no wrong answers in terms of network topologies and devices, try to make the network as optimal as possible.

🚛 How to deliver this project?

Create a text document with the answers to the questions in the instructions. Once you have your document ready, upload it to the 4geeks.com platform in the corresponding project.