University of Bedfordshire

Network Integration System

By, John Caiafas

ABSTRACT

This report elucidates how network system is important for the integration of companies. With
consideration of the two companies involved (Swan UK and DeGuoy), a network design is made to
satisfy the requirements of the merging companies.

In designing an accurate network system, the companies’ initial system will have to be modified and to
further provide the interconnection between the separated LAN of Swan UK and DeGuoy firm. This
will enhance the security to the network which will avoid unauthorised access.

Two feasible network system designs are proposed to the companies along with the cost analysis for
each system. With further illustration the best system is agreed on based on the technical, maintenance
and economical factors. This will be further explained in this report.

The Packet tracer 5.2 is the design software tool used to design and simulate the current and suggested
scenarios. Not all simulation was carried out using this tool, therefore a substitution method was used
instead.
 Table of Content

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................. 2

SWAN UK DESIGN BRIEF ............................................................................................................................ 2

Disadvantages. ................................................................................................................................ 3
Solution ............................................................................................................................................ 3

PROPOSALS ........................................................................................................................................ 4

PROPOSAL ONE ........................................................................................................................................ 4

Proposed Head Quarters LAN .......................................................................................................... 5
PROPOSAL TWO........................................................................................................................................ 6

SIMULATION AND RESULTS. ............................................................................................................... 7

SIMULATION TOOL..................................................................................................................................... 7
ALTERNATIVE WAYS USED IN THE SIMULATION................................................................................................. 7
Operating cost of the proposed solution one ................................................................................... 8
Operating cost of the proposed solution two .................................................................................. 8
EVALUATION OF THE SYSTEMS...................................................................................................................... 8
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMPANY ......................................................................................................... 9

FUTURE ENHANCEMENT .................................................................................................................. 10

CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 10

REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 11

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INTRODUCTION

Based on the sort of business ran by each company, the Swan UK can be said to be more of a retail
trader and DeGuoy is more of a whole sale flower specialist. Therefore in designing the network
system it has to be taken into consideration that both companies have different database of marketing
strategy.

The purpose of the design is to replace the initial systems so that there will be efficient means of
communication and most importantly, the integration of the both companies information system will
ensure a trusted partnership.

Swan UK Design Brief

Below is the initial design system for swan UK’s network

Fax
Fax

ISDN modem Switch

Switch SITE 1 SITE 3 ISDN modem

Fax
Fax

ISDN modem
SITE 2 SITE 4 ISDN modem Switch
Switch

Note:
Number of computers in the
Server Network is not scale.

HQ

Fig 1 Logical diagram of current system

The present system of the swan UK’s network contains 5 LANs including the Head Quarter’s LAN.
Each LAN can accommodate any number of PCs. It has a class ‘C’ IP addressing method which is
used with the subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, and every site’s LAN consists of a router and a system of
switch to connect all the available PCs.
In the logical diagram, only one switch and a few computer terminals are shown to make the design
better. All 5 LANs are interconnected via the internet using ISDN line. The conventional ISDN line has
very low level transmission speed and security.

The head quarter’s network is the principal element of the whole network. The HQ LAN contains the
server to provide the essential data and other networking facilities to the HQ network, other site’s
subnets and customers. The basic port level security is given. The conventional networking protocols
are used for the data transmission.

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Disadvantages.
The current scenario is cost efficient but is has big hole in the security and time aspects. The following
parts of the networks produce the inefficiency in the network.

1) ISDN inter connection.

All the site’s LANs are interconnected by the integrated Service Digital Network. The typical
ISDN can have the maximum speed of 128kbps in both upstream and downstream. The ISDN
B channel can provide higher rates with high subscription. And it uses the traditional PSTN
network as the medium. Hence the level of security is very low. For future development, the
company should invest in getting a high speed connection between the sites and HQ.

2) No Backup server.
There is only one server provided to the whole WAN configuration, therefore if the server is
down, or if any problem occurs in the server link, the whole network will be disabled which
will lead to the lack of communication between the sites and HQ. The maintenance for the
server will also interfere with the system which will cause the network to be disabled.

3) No added security
The whole network is not secured and all the router ports are open to public access. There are
no specific security algorithms applied to the network and all the site’s LANs uses traditional
security system that can easily be hacked.

4) Difficulties in the modification of the network.

Adding a new LAN or Component in the existing LAN is difficult.

5) There is no connection between Swan and DeGuoy.

6) There no communication involve between lorry drivers and the head quarter

Solution
1) The broadband connection or a dedicated lease line has to be used to interconnect the site’s
LANs and the DeGuoy network.
2) The additional servers have to be provided for data, network backup, e-commerce.
3) Port level security has to be provided to the router ports.
4) External firewall system to the HQ subnet which has the E -Commerce system.
5) Dedicated line connection with the DeGuoy to enhance the speed and security of the
interconnection.
6) Added network printers in the network, that all the nodes can use the printing facility.
7) IP telephones can be provided to all the sites. The IP telephones can provide the voice service
to the sites with no extra cost and maintenance.
8) Provides wireless end devices (3G mobile) to the lorry drivers, which has installed application
software to access the necessary data and commands from the HQ.

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PROPOSALS

Proposal One

LORRY

Multi function
Multi function device
device

DEGUOY

Switch
IP phone Switch IP phone Server
Server Mobile service
providers CUSTOMERS

Router
Router

DSL modem SITE 2 DSL modem

SITE 1

SITE 3 SITE 4
DSL modem DSL modem

HQ

Router Router

Switch Server IP phone Switch

IP phone IP phone Server

DATA BACK
E-COM WEB VoIP
BASE UP
Multi function Multi function
device device
Dedicated lease line
Fig 2 Logical diagram proposal one

In proposal one, all the sites and the head quarters are implemented and include new switch, Router,
multi function machine (print, copy, scan and fax), servers and IP phones. All the end devices are
connected in star topology to reduce the signal distortion due to the distance factor.

The Class ‘C’ IP addresses are used and the unoccupied IP addresses are left blank for future use. A
multi function machine is connected in each sits and the head quarters for printing and faxing usages of
the site and head quarters. The number of PCs can assigned as per the use of every site.

The high performance additional servers are provided in the head quarters for Web, Database and Back
up VoIP, and maintenance.
VoIP system implemented in the head quarter and each sites are provided with IP telephone to make
the communication between the sites and head quarters.

The router added in the HQ and the sites which support voice and data protocols to achieve VoIP
communication between the sites, HQ and DeGouy. Router is also having the internal firewall, IPsec
VPN capabilities, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPN support.

A VLAN is configured in every site’s LAN to make the internal data transfer secure and feasible and
separate VLAN created for VoIP server and VoIP telephone to control the heavy traffic by the voice
packets. All the remote site’s router ports are secured by port security methods. In additional in the
head quarters firewall hardware has implemented. It will give more security to the head quarters and
stop illegal access to e-commerce server.

The high speed broadband connections are used for connection between the sites and the HQ, The HQ
to internet and HQ to Deguoy connected via dedicated lease line. This provides an efficient, fastest and
secure data transmission between 2 companies. That will not affect and will not be affected by the type
of hardware and software network configuration used and the network configuration of DeGuoy. After

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the completion of the proposed works the both networks can be functioning independently and
efficiently. The VPN connections are made between HQ to sites and HQ to DeGuoy.

And the mobile device system is provided to the lorry drivers. The mobile device can be connected to
the head quarters through a mobile network with the help of mobile service provider. Smart client
application software is embedded in the hand held device. The driver can be monitored and instructed
trough it. And the load can be traced from the head quarters and warehouses.

Proposed Head Quarters LAN

In the proposal 1, there are 5 important changes to be done in the Head Quarters LAN.

1) The proposed router will support voice and data packet protocol and mange the heavy traffic.

2) A backup server has to be accommodated

a. Date backup.
b. Network Security.
c. Extra storage.

3) A hardware firewall system provided to the head quarters.

a. To avoid the unauthorised access of the confidential data and network facilities.

4) The E-Commerce has to be isolated from the public network.

a. More confidential data
b. More threat to be hacked.
c. More access to the public.

5) A proper security protocol has to be applied to the server and backup server.
a. Prevention of spoofing and sniffing.

Simulated packet tracer diagram of solution 1

Fig 3 simulated packet trace diagram of solution 1

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Proposal Two

LORRY

DEGUOY

Switch
Switch Multi function
Multi function Mobile service
CUSTOMERS device
device providers
Router

SITE 2
SITE 1

SITE 3 SITE 4

HQ

Router Router

Switch Multi function Switch

Multi function device Multi function
device device

DATA
Main
BASE & E-COM WEB
server
Back up

Dedicated lease line

Fig 4 Logical diagram proposal one

In the second proposal, the sites LAN’s are almost the same as the first proposal. However, in this
proposed technology, there is no server included in each sites LAN, whereas, broadband technique was
used in the initial proposal

To make data transfer safer and faster, a dedicated lease line is provided to each sites and HQ. The
dedicated line provides the necessary security for the transmitted data. This will ensure authorised
access only and there will be no spying of the data transfer between the sites and head quarters.

The high speed dedicated line between the sites and head quarters provides the same connection
between the Swan UK HQ and DeGuoy HQ. This will not be affected by the type of hardware and
software network configuration used and the network configuration of DeGuoy. After the completion
of the proposed technology, both networks will function independently and efficiently.

The separate VLAN’s are created in the head quarter and sites to make the internal data transfer secure
and feasible. All the remote site’s router ports are secured by port security methods. In additional in the
head quarters firewall hardware has implemented. It will give more security to the head quarters and
stop illegal access to e-commerce server.

Also the moving Lorries can be connected with the network using a mobile network with the help of
another service provider.

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Simulated packet tracer diagram of solution 2

Fig 5 Simulated packet trace diagram of solution 2

SIMULATION AND RESULTS

Simulation tool

The packet tracer V5.2 was used for the simulation of the proposed systems. This is a Cisco’s academic
purpose network simulation software mainly designed for switch and router simulation. Therefore, the
network element available in the library is limited and device centred.

EIGRP protocol used in the router to assign the routes dynamically and basic configuration developed
in the devices and simulated

Alternative ways used in the simulation

The following elements of the network scenarios in the designed system cannot be exported into the
simulation design.
 Broadband connection: and in the simulation it is replaced by the interconnection of internet
clouds and the connection was simulated by DSL link.
 The dedicated links and VPN connections also cannot be simulated in packet tracer V5.2.
They are modelled as Frame relay as it has some similarities with the dedicated connection.
And simulated.
 The special functioning software installations cannot be simulated in the simulation tool.
 The hand held mobile device also cannot be simulated by using the tool. And there are no
substitutions available for this model. So it just assumed as a remote node and included in the
simulation.

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Operating cost of the proposed solution one

HQ Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Total

Broadband
- 600 600 600 600 2400
connection
Dedicated
19200 - - - - 19200
lease line
Network
12000 6000 6000 6000 6000 36000
maintenance
Network
117600 24000 24000 24000 24000 213600
Administration
Mobile
12000 - - - - 6000
connection
283200

Operating cost of the proposed solution two

HQ Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Total

Dedicated
lease line
19200 9600 9600 9600 9600 57600
Network
10000 6000 6000 6000 6000 34000
maintenance
Network
117600 20000 20000 20000 20000 197600
Administration
Mobile
12000 - - - - 6000
connection
301200

In the proposed solution one used broad band connection at the sits and dedicated lease line at the HQ.
but in proposed solution two all the sits and HQ used dedicated lease line to connect, so that the yearly
charge by the providers is more compare with first solution.

Due to the included server in the sites, each site needs a network administrator to control and monitor
the network but in solution two the normal technician will be more than capable to manage the
network. Thus, maintenance and administration cost will be more in solution one compared to solution
two. Also, because of the implementation of the VoIP in the HQ, the maintenance cost in solution one
will be more than that of solution two.

Initial implementation of the solution one is higher than the solution two but Solution one has the
additional features then the solution two and also less operating cost.

Evaluation of the systems

Both systems explained in the previous chapter have many advantages over the existing network and
they can satisfy the company’s requirements. However, the company doesn’t require a high level
security and high profile net service which will be utterly essential for E Commerce sites. Here the
evaluations are done for the optimised system for the companies’ requirements.

In the first system, a high speed broad connection is provided to the sites and dedicated lease is
provided to the HQ to improve the connectivity. But in the second system all the sites and HQ are
provided with dedicated lease line. And in the both solution HQ to the DeGuoys’ network is provided
by a dedicated line which does not depend and will not affect the DeGuoys’ network.

The first solution is comparatively cheap and provides a high speed internet access to all sites. This will
be more than enough to meet the company’s requirement. There is no separate hardware and software
installation maintenance required for the Broadband connection at the sites. This satisfies the company

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requirements as well as cost effectiveness. Therefore the first solution can be implemented in the
company network.

To improve the data backup and network maintenance, every site is provided with a separate server in
the first design. And also in both designs, HQ is provided with severs. (One each for Web database
server, network control and maintenance, Database, backup server and E-Commerce server).

In the second model, only servers are connected in the HQ and no more servers for the site’s LANs. As
the sites processes less number of computers and low amount of data. Since most of the data’s are sent
from the head quarters, the need for a server in the sites is not important. However for the future
development and the data back up, each site may need servers.

The first solution is implemented with VoIP service so it will give additional feature to the company to
make call between the HQ, sites and the DeGuoy. So that the proposed solution one is effective than
the second solution.
In the solution two the service providers charge will be higher than the solution one instead of using
dedicated lease line for each site and HQ. So that the solution one is cost effective.

Recommendations to the company

According to the evaluation based on technical and financial aspects it’s clear that the first model is
more efficient for the company’s requirements and it is more cost effective. It is therefore
recommended that the implementation of the first model will improve the network performance for the
company and will provide the required and essential security for the network.

In terms of maintenance and future changes in the network, it can easily be carried out in the hardware
implementation of the model.

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FUTURE ENHANCEMENT

If the company requires stronger level of security and safer data transfer from the sites or to the sites,
the broadband connection can be replaced with a high speed dedicated lease lines like DS3/T3.

Mobile devices can be implemented on delivery Lorries which will provide the lorry drivers with
integrated GPS devices so that the company can easily locate the load.

In future the company can also implement Wireless Network to get a wider area of communication
interface.

CONCLUSION

The current scenario of the company’s network is designed. And two suggested networks are designed
and simulated in the packet tracer environment. The recommendations for the company is made upon
the simulation and cost evaluation results. Some of the elements in the design (such as Firewall, mobile
terminals, broadband connection etc...) are not available in the packet tracer environment. In this case,
an appropriate substitution is made to make the simulation easier and less complicated.

And the cost analysis in done based on the data available in the internet and other specified service
providers. This may vary from the analysed result. But the suggested system is still having low cost and
less maintenance when compare to the other solution.

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References

Cisco Certified Network Associate Study Guide, 6th Edition- Todd Lammle (559-607) (426-430)

http://www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk/products__solutions/broadband__internet_services/business_br
oadband.aspx#features_benefits
25.05.2010 22:30

http://threestore.three.co.uk/dealsummary.aspx?offercode=24TL10D017
25.05.2010 22:40

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