Network Hardware And Standard: Setting Up Network Workbook Assignment 8 Questions Answers
Answer
Further Investigation Questions
1. Network Hardware
Explain the role of the following two enterprise network devices and where you might use them in a large organisation like QUT.
a) Switch
Answer – A switch is a device that links various systems to a network and using a process called packet switching, allows data exchange between them. It works on the layer two of the OSI reference model and connect devices in an ethernet network. It is a multiport network bridge attached to the OSI model's data link layer. This device can be embraced by large organisations such as QUT to build a better learning environment where computers can replace offline books and teaching can provide more illustrations that can be easier to understand ("What is a Network Switch? A definition from WhatIs.com", 2020).
b) Router
Answer – A router is a simple network unit that links our networks, wirelessly or using cables, to the internet. They are like small computers with their own CPU and memory to deal with incoming and outgoing data, helping to create connectivity between local connected devices. It works on the layer three of the OSI reference model and majorly used to connect two or more different sub networks with each other. Its key use is to perform routing which is performed by using routing protocols. Mostly it is installed at the edge of the network or nearby a firewall ("What Is a Router (Residential Gateway) and How Does It Work?", 2020).
2) Network Standards and Types
Networks are everywhere, and every hardware device or protocol is governed by at least one standard. Choose a network standard or type and explore it further. Examples include, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ADSL, Infrared, 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Max, Ethernet, Satellite, NFC, RFID etc.
a) Network standard / type.
| Overview (include name, speed, description etc.) | 4G or fourth generation of mobile technology which is a successor to 3G network with an average speed of 20 Mbps and maximum speed of 100Mbps. It has increased the standard of mobile phones since network heavy tasks which previously required computers can now be done with a help of mobile phones with increased mobility and flexibility. |
| What is it used for? | It can be used for various purposes like online gaming, streaming, downloading huge data files or uploading them. With the help of high speed connection we can operate high-end systems using a low-end device. |
| Example devices that use it? | It can be used by any device which has 4G bands most common examples are mobile phones, tablets, desktops, gaming consoles and many other network operated devices. |
| Advantages and drawbacks? | Advantage - It increases mobility, it is more reliable, flexible and easily affordable provides high speed. We can easily access social networks, stream different media and transfer data from/to any device faster without disruption and it doesn’t throttle. Disadvantage - It is capable of jamming frequencies causing more threat to privacy, and the equipment used in establishing 4G are expensive. Cost of upgrading to 4G supported devices can be expensive and the energy consumption is also increased with the increase in speed. |
| Future improvements? | 5G will be the successor of 4G which will provide major increment in speed and more advantages along with some more disadvantages. The estimated speed of 5G will be 40 Mbps. |
3. Setting up networks
You are given a project to propose network setups for three different people. Design a solution that fits the needs of each person.
For each, detail:
- Internet plans
- Required devices (modems, routers, access points, switches, adapters, cabling, etc.), and
- Security (firewalls, encryption, etc.).
One or two paragraphs are required for each answer (diagrams are also helpful!).
a. Pete is setting up a family network, he has five computers in his household that have a mix of wireless AC and wireless N cards and also a number of phones and tablets. He wants a solution that allows everyone to access the internet and is secure as well.
Answer – according to his needs a high-speed internet connection is needed which can works wirelessly. A wireless router or internet router is installed by the internet service provider (ISP) which support 802.11a, b and n channel bands. The computer systems, phones and tablets will connect to this wireless router to access internet service. The device or router will be configured with enough security like VPN, NAT (ISP defined) or WAP authentication (user defined) to maintain security in the network. There are so many service providers available to deliver this service for home usage ("Home Wi-Fi Providers | Wireless Home Internet Services", 2020).
b) Steph has recently moved houses and the new property only has ADSL wiring available. Whilst NBN is scheduled to be installed in 6 months, the current ADSL connection only achieves 1.5 Mbps and is certainly not fast enough to use video streaming services. She would really like to be able to watch Netflix again. She has a desktop computer, smartphone, and an assortment of WIFI connected smart-home devices. What are her options?
Answer – in this scenario, Steph has to wait to move her internet service to NBN after next six months when there a connection will be available. Till time she has to work with the ADSL connection. If the speed of the connection is not sufficient for live video streaming and to watch videos on Netflix, she can request and upgrade the ADSL plan to the upgraded one to ADSL1 or ADSL2+. The ADSL1 connection is capable to deliver a speed of 8192 kbps or 8 Mbps and it is possible that the ADSL2+ connection may be available in that area, which is capable to deliver speed of up to 24000 kbps. That means she can have a max speed of 24 Mbps that is far sufficient to play live videos and streaming and Netflix. If the internet connections are available and she upgrade the connection speed and plan, she will get enough speed to run the desired things. If it is so, she will no need to move her internet service or connection to NBN ("What’s the difference between ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2+? | Compare Broadband", 2020).
c) Dave is a gamer and Twitch streamer and so needs fast and reliable internet. He also needs to regularly share large files (20GB+) between his and his housemate’s high-end desktop PCs. There are a total of two PCs, as well as a laptop, and two phones to be connected. What does he need for his setup?
Answer – according to the scenario, Dave need a high-speed internet connection with a high-speed internal connectivity between devices. First, he needs to connect all the computer systems with a high-speed connection using an ethernet cable like fibre optic or CAT7. So that all the devices, used by Dave has connected with each other and can share large data, locally over a high-speed. Secondly, he needs a high-speed internet connection that may be a leased line which can deliver a speed from 940 Mbps to 2000 Mbps. This will help in sharing of large data files as described in the scenario to other users or housemate’s desktop PC. The speed of a leased line is far higher than any usual internet service and provide a dedicated link with reliability of the connection. Using this approach, Dave will have completely solved his issues both internally and externally (Armstrong, 2020).
Customer Testimonials
