MITS4004 IT Networking and Communication Case Study Sample

Subject Name : IT Computer Science

Abstract

Computer Networks have become a very useful and common utility in the universe, It is much more than interconnection between electronic devices. Computer network is a system that connects two or more computers to share or transmit digital information. Setting up a computer network is a quick and useful way of organizing, analyzing, sharing information and resources within a business or a company. One of the important aspects in computer networking, connectivity, communication and security is the intranet which is a private network used by organizations to share information between the employees securely. In this comprehensive case study, we present a concept on network connectivity (NBN), security and setting up intranet such as Local Area Networks (LANs).

Conspiring a Robust Home network infrastructure.

Introduction

Networking enables devices and end points to communicate to each other, this is important for business, service providers and consumers to transport and exchange data [1]. Computer networking is not only restricted to transferring and exchanging of data but also entails designing, construction, security management, security maintenance and operation of the network infrastructure. In this comprehensive case study, we scrabble about establishing a robust National Broadband Network connection. To achieve the main objective of designing a network infrastructure that meets requirements of a software developer that needs to have a perfect work- at-home experience, we will have to analyze security issues, performance on speed and other factors of networking, then select an ideal National Broadband Network (NBN) service provider for setting up a Local Area Network (LAN) and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) for connecting computers and several servers.

National Broadband Network (NBN) Service Providers

National Broadband Network is an Australian national large-scale layered network architecture in telecommunication. It involves transmission of data over a wired-based communication technology that is operated by NBN Co limited [2].

To select a befitting NBN service provider for work-at-home setup, we consider various factors such as connection speed, terms and conditions for contract provision, internet packages and also check on the reviews of customers that have used the service providers. Even though there are more than 170 NBN service providers in Australia, some providers are only available in some parts of the country [4], it therefore essential to check for the availability of the service provider in the region where the home-set-up is done. To provide detailed information on how this decision should be made, we discuss speed connectivity, contact provision terms, data allowances and customer reviews where most decisions come from.

Speed connectivity

In light of the factors to be considered, the NBN service provider to be selected should offer high-speed connection with sufficient upload and download bandwidth that can handle the demands of VPN connection in the software developers’ office. Speed is one of the most important criteria for characterizing the quality of broadband [3]. Since there is a variability in broadband network speed measurements among providers it is important to understand the differences in these measurements to make a valid decision while choosing a provider that is used while setting up a reliable National Broadband Network for the software developer.

To gain much information on speed of broadband providers, we consider the consumers reviews(customers) to obtain information about speed experience on how the broadband is configured i.e capacity, speed that is marketed by the providers; where uploads and download speed provides a glimpse on how link between the consumers’ locality and the provider is being configured on network equipments such as cables , digital subscriber line(DSL) modems and routers[3].

Understanding what NBN speed is, it is considered that the network provider should offer a NBN plan with upload/download speed of 50Mbs, for the software developer to efficiently handle

data-intensive tasks including VPN connections to the office.

Data allowances

Data allowance is the amount of data that a user can consume within a specific period without inviting additional charges or reduced internet speed by ISPs. Selecting an NBN service provider with appropriate data allowance is essential to developer’s activities making sure it accommodates without running into data usage limitations. Unlimited data allowance on an NBN plan is a better choice for large-scale activities but different providers provide the plan with distinct speed so it is advisable to check on both speed and data allowance at once when doing the comparison.

Contract terms

An agreement between Internet service providers (ISPs) and customers refers to specific contract terms and conditions which might include: data allowance, service description, pricing and fees, termination procedure, service level agreement.

These terms should be considered for any networking set-up planned before choosing an NBN service provider.

Selecting an NBN Service Provider for establishing robust network connection.

After comparing various NBN service providers, we have to select "Exetel" as the most suitable choice for the work-from-home setup of the software developer. The decision is based on analysis of factors previously discussed to ensure an efficient and reliable network connection. Exetel satisfies the following conditions that led to its selection as the suitable NBN service provider for the setup.

Unlimited data allowance: Exetel plan provides a substantial 6 months unlimited data allowance, that can accommodate the software developer's frequent use of data-intensive applications and all online duties of other household members.
High-Speed Connection: Exetel offers a fiber-optic NBN plan with download and upload speeds of up to 100 Mbps
Customer Reviews: Considering consumers indisputable reviews and feedback, Exetel is known for its reliable and consistent

Network Connectivity Setup

When planning for home network setup there are features to put into consideration first before doing any setup [6].

Number of devices- knowing the number of devices that will be used in the house is essential for home network setup. Depending on the devices to be used, you can decide on the choice of wireless routers or cable length.

House size- The area that should be covered by the network is vital in planning home network setup. In some cases, broadband connection cable might fall short without covering the entire house, in such cases use TP-Links might be useful also use of Wi-Fi router can allow the entire house to have a good network connection.

Other futures are Network Transmission speed which have been discussed earlier, Future- proofing and security which will be discussed in the next section.

Considering these factors and the other previously discussed ones we can set up the home-set-up network for the software developer as shown in the diagram below.

Home Setup router-switch network diagram

The home setup network diagram for the software developer includes the following elements:

NBN Connection Point: This represents the point of entry for the National Broadband Network (NBN) connection into the house.

NBN service provider (Exetel) Modem: Connects NBN service and serves as the interface between the external network and the two-story home network.

Router: It manages the internal network and directs traffic between devices.

Wireless Access Points (WAPs): These are gadgets that provide Wi-Fi coverage throughout the house.

Ethernet Cabling: Connects devices, such as the modem, router, Working PC, and access points.

Devices: These are devices that are connected to the network, such as the software developer's computer (Working PC), two students’ laptops, smartphones, and other devices.

Network Security

Security is a major concern when designing a home network. To avoid potential threats and vulnerabilities in any setup, the following must be worked on:

Firewall Configuration: Configuring firewall controls and monitor network traffic in a setup ensuring that there is no unauthorized access or filtering malicious data.[6]

WPA3 Encryption: Securing wireless network with WPA3 encryption provides security for any wireless communication, therefore preventing unauthorized access to the network.

Firmware Updates: Router firmware consistent update is an important activity that ensures security vulnerabilities are patched promptly.

Conclusion

The selection of Exetel as the NBN service provider, together with the meticulous network diagram and robust security measures, gives a reliable and efficient home network infrastructure. The setup satisfies software developer's work-from-home requirements. The comprehensive

approach taken in this case study showcases the intricacies involved in designing a modern and secure home network environment.

References

Scarpati. “Networking(computer)”. TechTarget. https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/networking (Accessed Aug 14, 2023)
LeMay. “What does retail service provider actually mean?”. Delimiter. https://delimiter.com.au/2011/03/09/nbn-what-does-retail-service-provider-actually- mean/ . (Accessed Aug, 14,2023)
Bauer, D. Clark, W. Lehr, “ Understanding broadband speed measurements”, pp. 4, pp. 5, August 2010
Venz. “List of NBN Providers in Australia”. ForbesAdvisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/au/internet/nbn-providers/ (Accessed Aug, 15,2023)
Carzaniga, Basic concepts in Computer Networking, September 19, 2014.
Anthony Tantillo, Network Security through Open Source Intrusion Detection Systems, May 2012.