Reference no: EM133735923

Network Design & Administration

Answer all the questions systematically and include references using the APA referencing system where necessary.

Assignment: Optimising Asynchronous Communication in a Smart Home Network

Objective: This assignment aims to assess your understanding of asynchronous communication principles and their application in designing efficient and reliable data exchange mechanisms within a smart home network.

Case Scenario:

Consider a modern smart home equipped with various interconnected devices, each with different communication requirements:
Security System: Requires high-speed, reliable communication for transmitting sensor data and alarm signals.
Appliances: These may involve periodic data exchange for monitoring and control, with varying levels of urgency.
Entertainment: Demands high bandwidth for streaming media content but with some tolerance for latency.
Environment Control: Involves relatively small data packets for temperature readings and control commands.

These devices communicate with a central hub (e.g., smart home hub, router) using a combination of wired and wireless asynchronous communication protocols.

Task:
Network Design: Propose a suitable network topology and communication protocol(s) for this smart home environment. Justify your choices based on factors like:
Data Rate Requirements: Match the chosen protocol's capabilities with each device type's data rate needs.
Reliability: Ensure reliable data transmission for critical functions like security and appliance control.
Latency Tolerance: Consider the acceptable delay for different applications (e.g., real-time control vs. streaming).
Scalability: Accommodate the potential addition of new devices in the future.
Bandwidth Allocation: Analyse the bandwidth requirements of each device type and devise a strategy for efficient bandwidth allocation within the network. Consider techniques like:
Prioritisation: Assign higher priority to time-sensitive or critical data streams.
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM): Allocate dedicated time slots for different devices or applications.
Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM): Utilise different frequency bands for simultaneous data transmission.
Error Handling: Asynchronous communication is susceptible to noise and interference. Explain how your proposed network design addresses potential errors using mechanisms like:
Error Detection Codes: Implement error detection techniques (e.g., parity bits, checksums) to identify corrupted data.
Error Correction Techniques: Explore error correction methods (e.g., Automatic Repeat Request - ARQ) to ensure data integrity without requiring retransmission.

Deliverables:

Submit a report (maximum 3 pages) structured as follows:
Network Topology: Provide a diagram illustrating the proposed network layout, clearly indicating the devices, connections, and communication protocols used.
Protocol Justification: Explain the rationale behind your choice of protocol(s), addressing the factors mentioned in the "Network Design" section.
Bandwidth Allocation Strategy: Describe your approach to bandwidth management, including any prioritisation or multiplexing techniques employed.
Error Handling Mechanisms: Detail the error detection and correction methods integrated into your network design to ensure reliable data exchange.
Conclusion: Summarise your design choices and highlight how they contribute to an efficient and robust asynchronous communication infrastructure for the smart home.