Within an organization, the dependability of network infrastructures has become top priority. The fundamentals of how this infrastructure works within the organization requires a systems thinking mindset and the ability to properly develop an analysis plan. You have been tasked with analyzing the current network architecture of the organization and determining any key changes that should occur as the organization prepares for future growth. You will evaluate traffic patterns to determine critical aspects of your business and provide basic insight into what should be done to the network from a capability aspect and from a security viewpoint as the organization prepares for future growth. Ultimately, you will recommend a design for the future network architecture of the organization.
Prompt
For this milestone, you will create a project analysis plan. Your plan will identify the network applications of the current network including a description of how the current network is designed by explaining how the different layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model relate to each other within the network.
Refer to the following files when completing this milestone:
- Organizational Network Diagram – Current
- Dallas Office Network Diagram – Current
- Memphis Office Network Design – Current
To complete this assignment, address the following critical elements:
- Identify the network applications that are a part of the current network.
- Identify and label the components of the network with the appropriate OSI network layer(s) (refer to the Organizational Network Diagram – Current file)
- Provide a nontechnical description of the role and functions of key components, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
- Provide a brief analysis of the current network configuration in terms of day-to-day business operations. Consider the following questions as a guide to your analysis:
- What is the impact of losing connectivity between the Dallas router and the Memphis router? Which applications might be impacted between locations?
- What is the risk of just having a single router or switch within the Memphis office?
- How effective is the firewall in the current network?
- Summarize the project requirements and deliverables
What to Submit
Your assignment should be 1 to 2 pages in length with double spacing and should conform to academic writing standard expectations for mechanics, content organization, and use of APA style.
See attached additional resources.
