Reference no: EM132379483 , Length: word count:1500
ICT120 Introduction to Computer Networks Assignment Task, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Background Information: Credit Crunch
Credit Crunch (CC) has been operating a debt recovery service for banks and other financial lending institutions for 10 years and is looking to upgrade its system.
Due to the collection of personal and financial information, data maintained by CC is considered highly sensitive. As in any business payroll and financial information is considered sensitive to those inside as well as outside the organisation.
Currently, CC leases a floor in Sydney for its head office, staff and (security) are:
1. 3 x Executive Managers (Full Access)
2. 5 x Accounting /HRM (Access to Internet, Microsoft Exchange, Financial System, and Payroll System)
3. 5 x Account Managers (Access to Internet, Microsoft Exchange, Customer Relation Management System and Debt Recovery system)
4. 2 x Information Communication Technology (Full Access)
5. 3 x Call Centre Supervisors (Microsoft Exchange, Debt Recovery System)
6. 80 x Call Centre Operators working shifts on 40 workstations (Microsoft Exchange, *Limited Debt Recovery System)
Executive Managers and Account Managers may bring the own devices and connect to the network via a wired or wireless connection. All other staff work only on wired workstations.
The core system of the business is the debt recovery system (DRS). The DRS contains two separate software systems operating on different servers:
1. Predictive Dialler Software (PDS) - is connected to the company's telephony board and makes calls to debtors based on a list of phone numbers and debtor ID's imported each morning. When a call is answered it's forwarded to a phone at an available operator's workstation and a message is sent via DCOM of the Debtor ID to the client of the Debtor Database System at that workstation.
2. Debtor Database Software - is a client / server DBMS. When a client receives a DCOM message from the PDS it requests data from the server via TCP/IP pertaining to the Debtor ID. The server sends the requested data to the client who modifies and saves the data. The operator then selects whether they are ready to receive more calls or take a break and the message is sent back via DCOM to the PDS. The server uses timed backup to send modifications of the database at regular intervals to an offsite location via TCP/IP.
Given that the person being called has already answered the phone prior to it being passed through to the operator, time is critical, both in terms of the operator answering the phone and having the debtor's data accessible to the operator.
Limited Debt Recovery System - Call Centre Operators should only have access to records forwarded to them by the server but not access to the full debtor's database.
Assignment Task -
You have been engaged as a member of a network planning team by a member of the executive management of Credit Crunch to prepare a business report on a network plan for their business. Although this is a business report it is also an academic assignment. All theory must be referenced, and all arguments put forward, supported by scholarly references.
As your target audience includes executive businesspeople, who have extensive business experience, but may have limited ICT knowledge, the report needs to explain why your recommended networking technologies/solutions are the most appropriate and how they will benefit their business. You may need to compare your recommendations with other available technologies.
Specifically, your report must address the questions in topic 1 and one of the questions in topic 2.
Topic 1 - Network Upgrade
Many of the networking devices are ageing and management has inquired about upgrading the entire network infrastructure. Whist their ISP still operates on IPv4 (IP 120.154.191.1/24) they are keen for the new network to operate (at least internally) on IPv6.
Topic 1.1 Structured Cabling Plan
You are to prepare a new cabling plan for their existing operations. You need to explain the key components included, as well as the recommendations for cable types and connecting devices.
Topic 1.2 Network Topology Diagram
You are to use Cisco Packet Tracer to build the proposed topology and include a screenshot of the topology in your report.
Topic 1.3 IP Addressing
Based on your topology you are to prepare an IPv6 addressing plan. This plan should address the range of IP addresses for any subnets you define and how the system will manage IP addressing. Your discussion may include, but not limited to DHCPv6, switching tables, routing tables.
Topic 2 - Choose ONE of the following topics
Management have also requested information about the following topics. As part of the networking design team you can choose which question to address.
Topic 2.1 Additional Site
Credit Crunch is looking to open a branch office in Melbourne with similar numbers of staff with the exception that Accounting / HRM staff will remain in Sydney.
Management have asked for your recommendations for connecting the two sites.
How would your response change if they decided to open a branch in Singapore?
Topic 2.2 VOIP
The current system uses a telephony system which costs considerable money in call costs. Management have asked you to investigate using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) for its call centre. What issues should management consider in deciding? What are your recommendations? Does this alter your proposed network topology?
Topic 2.3 Redundant Servers
Currently the office runs one database server for it's DRS. If the server crashes (which it's known to do) all work stops until the server and workstations are rebooted. Management have asked your opinion on running two or more database servers. In terms of networking how might this be achieved? How will you achieve database consistency (you may want to investigate CAP Theorem)? How does this alter your proposed network topology?
Report Format - Your report should be no less than 1,500 words and it would be best to be no longer than 2,500 words long.
The formal technical report usually contains many different sections. The following outline is recommended for this assignment:
Title page
Executive Summary
Tables of Contents
Table of Figures, Table of Tables (as needed)
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Network Upgrade
2.1 Structured Cabling Plan
2.2 Network Topology Diagram
2.3 IP Addressing
3.0 Additional Site, VOIP, or Redundant Servers
4.0 Conclusion & Recommendations
Reference List
Refer to the following references for details on report structures: Summers, J. & Smith, B., 2014, Communication Skills Handbook, 4th Ed, Wiley, Australia.