Network Design Consultation
Network diagrams are schematic displays of project schedule activities and the interdependencies between these activities. When developed properly, this graphical view of a project’s activities conveys critical schedule characteristics required to effectively analyze and adjust schedules – thus resulting in accurate and feasible schedules. This document addresses what should be considered in the development of a network diagram, how network diagrams are created, and how they may be analyzed to identify necessary corrective actions and ensure optimal schedule definition.
Development stage – initial development
Function of routers
The routers in the network provide a gateway between the networks. Router 1 will provide a gateway to the Internet, Router 2 will provide a gateway between the workgroup networks; file server web server and the Isolation LAN, which will connect the administration network and the isolation LAN. The routers will select the best path using a metric which can be calculated on Hop count, bandwidth, delay, reliability and Load. The metric hop count is used by OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and RIP (Router Information Protocol), hop count is the number of routers the packet has to cross between source and destination. EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) uses bandwidth and delay as default metrics but can also be configure to include bandwidth and reliability in this calculation which is a much more precise metric than Hop count. The routers are located in the core layer of the network and provide a gateway to the WAN.
Application of routing protocols
Function of routing protocols
The routing protocol main functions are:
• Discovers directly connected neighbors
• Propagates routing information/ advertising known routes
• Update routing table
• Prevention of routing loops
The router establishes a connection between neighboring routers and then begins exchanging routing updates about each routers directly connected
Development stage – initial development
Function of routers
The routers in the network provide a gateway between the networks. Router 1 will provide a gateway to the Internet, Router 2 will provide a gateway between the workgroup networks; file server web server and the Isolation LAN, which will connect the administration network and the isolation LAN. The routers will select the best path using a metric which can be calculated on Hop count, bandwidth, delay, reliability and Load. The metric hop count is used by OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and RIP (Router Information Protocol), hop count is the number of routers the packet has to cross between source and destination. EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol) uses bandwidth and delay as default metrics but can also be configure to include bandwidth and reliability in this calculation which is a much more precise metric than Hop count. The routers are located in the core layer of the network and provide a gateway to the WAN.
Application of routing protocols
Function of routing protocols
The routing protocol main functions are:
• Discovers directly connected neighbors
• Propagates routing information/ advertising known routes
• Update routing table
• Prevention of routing loops
The router establishes a connection between neighboring routers and then begins exchanging routing updates about each routers directly connected
References: Dean, T. (2010). CIS175: Network+ guide to networks: 2009 custom edition (5th ed.). Boston: Course Technology, Cengage Learning. Huson, G. (1994). The Architecture and Design of the Network. The Operational Environment. Retrieved from http://www.potaroo.net/papers/1994-6-wkshp/wkshp7.html Network Design Considerations for Cisco Mediator Deployments. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/solutions/Verticals/Government/mediator-AAG.html