designing a local area network

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LAB 8: DESIGNING A LOCAL AREA NETWORK

OBJECTIVES

After completing this lab you should be able to do the following:

Design a Local Area Network based upon a given scenario Create a spreadsheet that outlines the cost of implementing a LAN that you designed

CONTENTS

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 2Part One: Accessing the Design Tools .................................................................................................. 2Part Two: Weblan-Designer Links ....................................................................................................... 3

Part Three: Modeling ............................................................................................................................ 4Part Four: Scenarios .............................................................................................................................. 6Part Five: Cost Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 8Submitting your Lab Report ................................................................................................................. 8

HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND COMMUNICATIONS REQUIREMENTSFOR THIS LAB

A Windows-based computer Access to the Internet

USEFUL LINKS

http://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.main
http://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.mainhttp://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.main


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LAB 8

Figure 1: The Windows Internet Explorer showing the URL for theAUT WebLan-Designerhome page intheLocatortext box and the Go to arrow to the right of the text box

Introduction

In the previous lab you learned about computer and communications hardware, cable standards, LANfundamentals and media access. In this lab you will extend your knowledge of computer technology andlocal area networks by designing a LAN for a fictional organization. You will create the LAN by firstreviewing design concepts. You will then use on-line tools to design a pictorial representation of theLAN. Tutorials available at the AUTs WebLan-Designers home page will provide you with theconceptual knowledge and tools you will need to learn how to design a LAN.

Part One: Accessing the Design Tools

The following steps outline the procedures required to design your local area network.

1. Double-click the Internet Explorer icon on the Windows Desktop. The Internet Explorerbrowser window appears (Figure 1).

2. Enter the URL,http://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.main, into theLocator text box.
http://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.mainhttp://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.mainhttp://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.mainhttp://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.mainhttp://elena.aut.ac.nz/homepages/weblandesigner/index.php?fuseaction=home.main


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3. Click the Go to button to the right of the Locator text box or press the Enter key.

Figure 2: TheAUT WebLan-Designerhome page showing the Wiredand Wireless LAN links in the leftcolumn of the page

4. TheAUTs WebLan-Designers home page appears (Figure 2).Part Two: Weblan-Designer Links

1.

Notice the links in the left column of the AUT WebLan-Designer home page.

2. Click the Tutorial link to display a pre-test that you can take to review your existing knowledgeof LANs and LAN terminology, and learn how to use the Modelingtools that can be used tocreate LAN diagrams.

3. Click the Quiz link to display a quiz that you can take to test your knowledge of LANcomponents, topology, and concepts.


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4. Click the Key Terms link to display a Glossary of LAN-related terms.5. Click the Review Questions link to display a list of questions with answers that can be used for

reviewing or confirming your knowledge of LANs and the OSI model.

Figure 3: The AUT Wired LAN Modelingpage

Part Three: Modeling

1. Click the Modeling link in the Wired LANsection.2. The Wired LAN Modelingpage appears (Figure 3). This page is quite intuitive and easy to use.

First select the Topology for your LAN by clicking the down-arrow in the Topology text box todisplay a list of choices.

3. Next select the number of workstations, servers, and printers required you want to add to theLAN by clicking the down-arrow and selecting a value from the list that appears. You can alsotype the value from the keyboard.

4. Click the Generate Model button. TheInformation Bardialog box appears (Figure 4).


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Figure 4: TheInformation Bardialog box

Figure 5: TheInformation Bar pop-up menu that is displayed after right-clicking the Information Bar

5. TheModeling toolneeds to use a JavaScript pop-up. Click the Close button in theInformation Bardialog box (Figure 4).

6. Right-click the Information Bar on the Wired LAN Modelingpage to display a pop-up menu with 4choices (Figure 5).

7. Click the Always Allow Pop-ups for this Site choice.8. Click the Yes button in the dialog box that appears to allow pop-ups from this site (Figure 6). Click

the Retry button in the dialog box that appears next (not shown).


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9. A diagram of the LAN appears (Figure 7). From this point on the diagrams that you create with themodeling tool will appear without displaying theInformation Baror any warning messages.

Figure 6: TheAllow pop-ups from this site? dialog box

Figure 7: A sample LAN model diagram

Part Four: Scenarios

Click the Scenarios link in the Wired LANsection. The Wired LAN Scenarios page appears (Figure 8).Review the four example scenarios. Create a LAN diagram for Exercise Scenario Two using the WebLanModelingtool. Also create a written description of your design.


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Figure 8: The Wire LAN Scenarios page

Figure 9:Exercise Scenario 2. Use this information for creating your costs spreadsheet.


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Part Five: Cost Analysis

1. After completing the LAN forExercise Scenario Two, create a spreadsheet that includes the costs thatwould be incurred by implementing the design (Figure 9).

2. Use the following guidelines for designing and completing your spreadsheet.a. List each of the items that must be purchased separately.b. Indicate the cost per unit and the number of units in your spreadsheet.c. Include the cost of cabling and assume that all cabling is either UTP or fiber. Assume that a pre-

built UTP patch cable, 10 feet in length costs $50.

d. Include estimates for the monthly costs for WAN services (the T1 line and DSL connections).Assume that the company has agreed to a two-year contract for both services from either the sameor different service providers.

e. You may assume that all workstations are similar in design and costs to those that you obtainedprice quotes for in lab 4.f. Include a cost estimate for all servers, switches, and hubs (if included in your design). Indicate

the number of ports per switch or hub since this affects the cost.

g. Include the installation expense. Assume that installation rates are $100 per person hour. Use thefollowing time estimates in your calculations:

i. 45 minutes to install and configure each switch or hub.ii. 30 minutes to install each UTP connection

iii. 60 minutes to install each fiber optic connectioniv. 30 minutes to install and configure each workstationv. 20 minutes to install and configure each printer

Submitting your Lab Report

Create a new page on your Google site and name it Lab Eight Report. Copy diagram you created forExercise Scenario Two to the Lab Eight Report page. Attach your cost estimate spreadsheet for this LANdesign to the Lab Eight Report page.

Documents

designing a local area network