Riordan Network Design Project
NTC/362
November, 2013

Riordan Network Design Project Riordan Manufacturing is a plastics manufacturing company that produces products such as beverage containers, custom plastic parts and plastic fans. Riordan was created in 1991 and was founded by Dr. Riordan. Riordan currently has a location in Hangzhou China and is moving that location to Shanghai China. This document will outline the network design, Project timeline, design approach, detailed design, current network topology, new network topology, security and plans for starting up new location and decommissioning the old location. Network Design Project Timeline Assignment | Timeline | Design Approach | Phase 1-Four Weeks | Detailed Design | Phase 1-Four Weeks | Current Network and Establishing New Network | Phase 2 6 weeks | Security Considerations | Phase 2 6 weeks | Decommissioning Old Facility | Phase 3 4 weeks | Old Equipment | Phase 3 4 weeks | Old and New Employees | Phase 3 4 weeks |

Design Approach and Rationale
Riordan Manufacturing is currently seeking to move the current location from Hangzhou China to Shanghai China. In order to successfully move the entire location to its new location we will setup the new location and get it up and running before we shut down the current location. In doing so we will need to purchase new hardware and software for the new location and also setup a new firewall for the new location. The good thing about purchasing new hardware is that we can upgrade the hardware and software as needed. The benefits in setting up the new location while the current location is still up and running is that we will not require any downtime for users and we can also ensure the new location is up and running successfully before shutting down the old location. For shutting down the old facility we will need to disconnect all equipment and either move it to the new location or consider selling the equipment that is no longer needed. All information on each user’s computer should be backed up to the company drive to ensure no information is lost during the move.
Detailed Design
In order to keep both facilities running in parallel the central server and backup sever will be located offsite from each building. This will allow us to have both facilities connecting to the server without having it moved or interrupted. In the network design we will use for the two locations will include routers that will connect the internet that has to go through the firewall for protection that will connect to the central server. Then the central server will connect to each individual location. Each location will be connected via a LAN and both locations will be connected through the company WAN. When the central server is connecting to the individual locations it will also pass through another firewall for protection. We will also put in place an offsite backup or better referred to as a remote backup. The back will run daily and will store the data as needed. The automated backup will save the company time and money in the long run. The backup will also provide security when creating backups with encrypting the data. With this design approach we can successfully setup the new location and have both the current and new location running simultaneously as planned until we retire the old location.
Current Network Topology
Current network design that Riordan is using is a LAN design. The server and backup server all located outside of the building location. The internet provider connects to the router and firewall directing the connection to the servers which then connects to the company LAN. Using a LAN is good for Riordan right now because it’s one office building and LANs are typically used for a group of computers in close proximity to each other and are good for sharing resources like files, printer and other applications (Mitchell, 2013). Riordan also currently uses a ring topology that is common for LAN networks. Riordan choose to use a ring topology for its current location because it’s a well-organized topology, it also allows for each computer to have equal access to all resources and it has good performance.
New network Topology
When designing the new network topology its best that we go in the direction of a hybrid topology. A hybrid topology is best used for a WAN because we can mold it to what we want depending on the needs for Riordan. We are also going in this direction because with the new location we will be connecting both LANS in each location with a WAN. As stated before the current topology used is a ring topology. So currently Riordan uses a ring topology and we know that it is reliable so we will combine the ring topology with star topology because it has a high tolerance capability creating a hybrid start-ring topology for Riordan ("Hybrid Topology : Advantages And Disadvantages Of Hybrid Topology ", n.d).
Security
Riordan currently uses a LAN network which has LAN manager. Riordan also has a firewall in place that helps protect against attacks from hackers, viruses and worms. Riordan also backs up its data on a daily basis to protect its data and stores it offsite. On top of the electronic threats there can also be physical threats like electrical threats in the system, natural disasters, hardware threats and also maintenance threats. According to "Network Security Threats" (2011), "equipment security is also important. Ways to help enhance equipment security is implementing electronic access control and also training security personal to monitor security cameras with automatic log recordings.” Providing the company with security policies and procedures helps to educate employees so they are aware of potential security threats and how to avoid them.
Hiring New Employees & Transferring Current Employees While the Shanghai China location is being setup we will start to move forward with hiring new employees. We will hire enough employees to run both locations as needed. We will provide enough time for new employees to go through an orientation and also training. Once the Shanghai location is up and running the new employees will be ready to begin. The employees in the Hangzhou location will continue to operate as normal as the Shanghai employees test and eliminate any issues in the new location. The Shanghai location will continue run and work though any issues for the first two weeks. At the end of the first two weeks management will evaluate how the organization is running and will decide if at that time the Hangzhou location will start to decommission. Current employees at the Hangzhou location will have the option to transfer to the Shanghai location.
Decommissioning old facility
Once the new location is up and running and has been successfully tested to ensure all connections and hardware/software are functioning as they should we will start to move forward with decommissioning the Hangzhou China location. Employees who have chosen to relocate will be moved to the Shanghai location. No equipment will be moved, however new upgraded equipment for those employees will be purchased. Once all employees are moved the equipment will be removed. The only equipment that will need to be removed will be physical equipment in the building. We will no longer need the desktops, switches or wires. All of this equipment will be packed and sold. The LAN and firewall used for this location will also no longer be needed. However we will still keep the current location as designed with the central server and backup server outside of the current location. This keeps it easier to function in case Riordan plans to expand in the future.
Conclusion
Riordan now has a project timeline they can follow and also adjust as the project begins and timelines may change after beginning the design phase. Riordan can review their options and the network design to see if they feel this fits their needs. Recommendations are listed for the new network design, design approach, a summary of the current network topology, the recommended new network topology, security awareness and lastly recommendations for decommissioning the old location and implementing the new location.

References
Hybrid Topology : Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology . (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.ianswer4u.com/2012/05/hybrid-topology-advantages-and.html#axzz2jiHwVSRr
Mitchell, B. (2013). LAN - Local Area Network. Retrieved from http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/lanvlanwan/g/bldef_lan.htm
Network security: LAN Manager authentication level. (2013). Retrieved from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj852207.aspx
Network Security Threats. (2011). Retrieved from http://network-communications.blogspot.com/2011/04/network-security-threats.html

Student/Group Name(s) Course | Date Assignment | Content/Development (30 points total) Subject Matter (15 Points):Key elements of your choice of one the following service requests below. Write a cumulative 10- to 12-page paper incorporating your prior work. Solve the design problems of your Virtual Organization. Illustrate all network design using Microsoft® Visio® or Toolwire®. Address the following in your paper:  Include a final network design. Include a timeline for the project. Explain the design approach and rationale. Analyze the detailed design. Prove that the design meets the data rate requirements. Analyze the existing security situation in the organization. Identify the predominant electronic and physical threats to communications networks. Explain the importance of explicit enterprise security policies and procedures. Describe potential threat detection and protection techniques. Explain the importance of explicit enterprise security policies and procedures. Describe how firewalls mitigate some network attack scenarios. Describe common security concerns inherent to wired, wireless, and mobile networking. Design a security hardware and software environment that will protect the organization. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.Displays an understanding of relevant theory Major points supported by specific details/examples Research is adequate/timely Writer has gone beyond textbook for resources | Your paper covered all the key elements I was looking again for this final project. Your design was right on and your detail design was an appropriate to scale with the company you chose. Your security analysis along with choice of hardware and software is a match with the design I was hoping to see. I appreciate the detail you shared with me. Good job. 15 points | Higher-Order Thinking (15 Points): * Writer compares/contrasts/integrates theory/subject matter with work environment/experience * At an appropriate level, the writer analyzes and synthesizes theory/practice to develop new ideas and ways of conceptualizing and performing | Your paper was written with a higher order of thinking and had the appropriate level of writing for this class. 15 points | Organization (20 Points total) * The introduction provides a sufficient background on the topic and previews major points * Central theme/purpose is immediately clear * Structure is clear, logical, and easy to follow * Subsequent sections develop/support the central theme * Conclusion/recommendations follow logically from the body of the paper | Your introduction was good. You had a central theme and your paper structure was clear and easy to read. Your conclusion finalized the paper well. 20 points | Style/Mechanics (50 Points total) Format—20 Points * Citations/reference page follow guidelines * Properly setup according to APA guidelines * Properly cites ideas/info from other sources * Paper is laid out effectively--uses, heading and other reader-friendly tools * Paper is neat/shows attention to detailGrammar/Punctuation/Spelling—15 Points * Rules of grammar, usage, punctuation are followed * Spelling is correctReadability/Style—15 Points * Sentences are complete, clear, and concise * Sentences are well-constructed with consistently strong, varied structure * Transitions between sentences/paragraphs/sections help maintain the flow of thought * Words used are precise and unambiguous * The tone is appropriate to the audience, content, and assignment | Your format was setup properly and met all the expectation I was looking for this week. 20 points Your grammar and punctuation were right on track. You had no spelling errors. 15 points Your paper was readable / enjoyable. I appreciate your writing style. 15 points | Comments / Grade You did a good job this week. See further comments above. Your grade is 100. |