MIS589_WK4_Mini-case-MegaCorp_PC
Questions:
MegaCorp is a large manufacturing firm that operates 5 factories in Dallas, 4 factories in Los Angeles, and 5 factories in Albany, New York. It operates a tightly connected order management system that coordinates orders, raw materials, and inventory across all 14 factories. What type of WAN architecture and WAN service would you recommend? Why?
Recommendations:
When designing a WAN, numerous factors must be considered. Organizations attempting to connect multiple factories or offices and remote personnel must take into account a number of variables that will impact overall costs and network functionality. When designing and implementing wide area networks (WANs) that integrate voice, video, asynchronous and synchronous data and LAN traffic, all aspects of the organization's goals must be factored into the WAN design. Specific attention must also be paid to upfront cost, line charges, network throughput, security, and the inclusion of application and emerging technologies.
Requirements will change, depending on whether you are creating a new network, modifying an existing network or integrating an existing network with other networks. Assuming there is an existing network, the next step is to inventory the network, identifying the circuits and all associated hardware (routers, firewalls) and software supporting the network, and summarizing all network-related expenses. Finally, access to network performance statistics (such as throughput, latency and dropped packets) is needed to establish a baseline for the new network configuration. (Kirvan, 2014)
With the limited information provided I will make the following assumptions; first the existing network in place requires more bandwidth thus the reason we have been hired, second the company’s current network configuration is legacy (perhaps an ISDN), and finally third