LOCAL AREA NETWORK PROPOSAL FOR LAB 8

Introduction

A LAN is a high-speed data network that covers a relatively small geographic area. It typically
connects workstations, personal computers, printers, servers, and other devices. LANs offer
computer users many advantages, including shared access to devices and applications, file
exchange between connected users, and communication between users via electronic mail and
other applications.

Purpose:

To design the Local Area Network (LAN) for Computer Lab 8 in the Faculty of Information
Technology and Quantitative Science, University Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam.

Objectives:

a. To form this LAN with one valid IP for Internet uplink connection.
b. To make all in the Lab to be able to communicate with each other besides sharing all
network resources available.
c. To draft a simple network.
d. To make all user in the network communicate via electronic mail

The existing infrastructure:

1. Computer Lab 8:
a. 12 PCs
b. 1 laser printer
c. 1 dot matrix printer
d. 1 scanner
All PCs are equipped with 10/100 NICs and Windows 98 2nd Edition.

LAN Proposal – Computer Networking 1

Propose LAN for LAB 8

a. Network Structure/Topology

Network topology chosen for this proposal is STAR Topology. A Star Topology is designed
with each node such as file server, PC and printer connected directly to a central hub. Data on a
star network passes through the hub before continuing to its destination. The hub manages and
controls all functions of the network.
The topology is chosen because:

• Easy to install and wire.

• No disruptions to the network then connecting or removing devices.

• Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

• Easy to maintain

• A fault in a cable only affects the computer or node it is attached to and is easy to
locate.

Beside that STAR Topology have disadvantage when implement it. The Disadvantages of
a Star Topology are:

• Requires more cable length than a linear topology.

• If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.

• More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of the concentrators.

b. Protocol
The protocol used with star configuration is usually Ethernet.

LAN Proposal – Computer Networking 2

c. Suggested Hardware

1) 3Com 10/100 16 Port Hub

2) UTP Cable – CAT 5
3) RJ45 Connector
4) RJ45 8 pin Crimping Tool
5) UTP RJ45 Cable Tester
6) Wire Cutter
7) Cable Ties

d. Costing

# Component Price (RM)

1 3 Comm Office Connect Dual Speed Hub 16 Port 650.00

100Base TX/10 Base T

2 AMP UTP CAT-5 Cable 1 BOX (300 Feet) 320.00

3 AMP RJ-45 Connector – 100 pieces 100.00

4 RJ-45/R-J11 –8 pin / 4 pin Crimper with Cutter – 1 Unit 185.00

5 UTP RJ-45 Cable Tester 250.00

6 Cable Ties/Tag 80.00

TOTAL PRICE 1585.00

LAN Proposal – Computer Networking 3

 e. LAN Diagram

LAB 8 – Local Area Network Proposal

PC 1 PC 2 PC 3 PC 4
4
PC 5

• Email Server
• DNS Server
• Application
Server

HUB
7x 8x 9x 10x 11x 12x 7x 8x 9x 10x 11x 12x

PC 6
Ethernet

C
7 8 9 101112

A 12 34 56 1x 2x 3x 4x 5x 6x 1x 2x 3x 4x 5x 6x
A B

PC 7

Switch
PC 8

Firewall PC 12 PC 11 PC 10 PPC 9

Router

DSU/CSU M
odemBank
Internet

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f. IP Address Assignment

We have allocated the IP address range for all the PC in LAB 8.

Range of IP Address : 202.184.230.2 until 202.184.230.17

(Extra 4 IP Address for additional PC)

The DNS server and Gateway already fix by UiTM system administration. Below are the

allocation of Subnet, DNS, and Gateway of the LAN in lab 8.

Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.128

DNS Server : 202.184.229.2 (UiTM DNS Server)

Gateway : 202.84.230.1

Security and Troubleshooting

• Usually there will be firewall assign in the UiTM Intranet before pass through the Internet

(refer to plan layout diagram).

• UTP cable for each connection should be not more than 100 meters.

• Cable tester is use to check connection for each connection.

• All cable connection must follow EIA/TIA – 568 specification.

• Both ends of each cable connection is tag for troubleshooting purposes.

Network Management

In this proposal, we propose to use ‘WhatUp Gold’ as Network Management software. This is a

shareware software and does not incur extra charges to our proposal. WhatUp Gold can

monitor network devices, applications and services and gives information about problems in the

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network. It is compatible will all PC’s in the lab 8 that running Win 98 operating system.

Standard WhatsUp Gold features fall into three categories: mapping, monitoring, and

notification.

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References:

http:/www.3com.com. Accessed date 19/03/2002

Net Age, 3 Com magazine Q3 2001. P29

Coputer War, March 18, 2002

InTech, The Star, January 29,2002

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