Service Request SR-rm-019
Ian Maley, Travis Cooper, Charles Nelson Truett
NTC 360
November 11, 2011
Angela Young

Service Request SR-rm-019
Background
Riordan Manufacturing, a Fortune 1000 enterprise and owned by Riordan Industries. The organization established by Dr. Riordan has received a number of patents. The patents relate with developing polymers into high tensile strength plastic substrates. During 1992 Dr. Riordan bought a fan manufacturing facility in Pontiac, Michigan. During 1993, he developed into the plastic beverage storage units. For the plastic beverage storage units manufacturing, he bought one more manufacturing facility in Albany, Georgia. During 2000, Dr. Riordan developed to another country to Hangzhou, China. The Albany factory manufactures the plastic beverage storage units. The Pontiac factory manufactures the customized plastic parts. China plant manufactures the plastic fan parts. The company’s Research and Development is carried out at the corporation head office in San Jose. The main clients are automobile parts producers, aircraft manufacturers, the Department of Defense, beverage producers and bottlers, and appliance producers (UOPX, 2004).

Current Systems
Each factory is currently using various telecommunication systems. The head office in San Jose has 35 IP telephones. Additionally they use a VOIP/Data router; two 24 port switches Cisco 5950, 24 Port Hub Linksys EF2H24, Ethernet 100 base T as well as a WIN network Server.
The Albany factory using a Kentrox Datasmart 658 CSU/DSU links to the head office. They are also using a Cisco Router 1750, two 24 port 100 Mbps Nortel Baystack 45024T Enet Switch, as well as a 48 port Patch Panels which links the 20 Compaq Presario computer systems.

The Pontiac factory links to head office using a Blackblox CSU/DSU V35 Mt 100A-35 R2. The router is a Cisco 2500. The factory has in use three Nortel Baystack 107 10BT 24 port 10 Mbps Hub w/Bridge Module. They have three Nortel Baystack 107 10BT Hubs which link their 45 Compaq Desktop Computer systems.
China links to the head office with a VOIP/Data Router as well as uses a Gateway/Switch to get in touch the factory to Ethernet 100 base T. They are using a Router T1 to get in touch with the outside network. They have 40 IP telephones which link to the Ethernet. Regarding switches, they have got two 24 port Cisco 5950.
The use of VOIP offers advantages, for example communication cost and quality effectiveness by using present links, even though in some situations VOIP is less reliable. The main benefit of using a VOIP exceeds the drawbacks.
At the existing time, the organization is using three different Cisco Routers. Only the head office and China are using Ethernet. The other two factories are using Nortel Baystack Switches to link to the head office. The systems require a major improvement which requires the equipment being the same at each place.

Network Protocols
Riordan Manufacturing presently has got all data transfers operating on or via the Internet using TCP/IP network protocols. Riordan’s Corporate Head office is in San Jose and offices out to three other factories all over the country in addition to one in China. Within the Corporate office, the communications system is made up of four Cisco 5950 switches as well as two Data/Voice routers linked by T1 networking, which uses several of the protocols currently available. In Albany, GA, communication is made up of three Cisco 5950 switches, a Cisco router as well as a 48 port panel which links by TCP/IP protocols all over the whole factory. Three panels link to three different hubs. In Pontiac, MI, the hubs connect with a Cisco router all through the TCP/IP networking protocol. The servers after that link to the hubs allowing the production floor to get access to the documents as well as resources required daily. The offshore factory in Hangzhou, China works off three Cisco switches linked into two hubs and the VoIP/Data routers. Just like corporate, Hangzhou, China's factory is also accomplished using the TCP/IP networking protocol, which also use several of the protocols currently available.
TCP/IP is two different protocols with the same requirements designed for transfer of data on the networks. TCP is in the 4th layer of the OSI model, which is the transport layer that controls the movement of information between the transmitter and recipient of the network. IP, or Internet Protocol, is in the 3rd Layer of the OSI model that is accountable for preparing messages for delivery as well as converting network addresses into what is called physical or MAC addresses.
TCP/IP is also referred to as an open protocol considering it is a highly selected protocol used throughout the world these days. Interoperability is a key benefit of the TCP/IP Protocol. Size and speed are the two key drawbacks of the IP part of the TCP/IP Protocol because the more computer systems that connect to the network, the more slowly the network will function, which means the connection degrades, and because the protocol stack is big it requires time and bandwidth to transmit the information across the network.
A set of standards is needed for all networks to use a protocol, which controls data transmission in a network. It is also considered necessary that the computer systems communicate on those same protocols to prevent causing difficulties or perhaps incurring a system failure. Because Riordan Manufacturing is the world's leader at supplying plastics, all factories throughout the country as well as overseas will require protocol dependability to ensure that all areas are up-to-date with all operations and in sync with each other. The reason behind TCP/IP is therefore best suited for the network within all Riordan Production areas because most of the data transfers depend on a number of routing devices to transfer the data to the suitable site as well as the server. This protocol is a beneficial link given that it is a dependable protocol and also makes certain that there are reduced possibilities that a data transmission will be lost or mistakes which may crop up in the network, despite the fact that it is not the fastest protocol.
Riordan Manufacturing must think about the fact of improving their service to a broadband connection, which would improve performance for the user and the voice/data communication techniques on the old network within the organization. Virtual Private Networks would also be good for the organization seeing as the organization is spread out throughout the world. File Transfer Protocol, or FTP servers to assist with importing or downloading of files should be implemented into the system because most e-mail programs won't permit users to transmit big files over the Internet due to attachment limitations.

Topologies in Use
The topology used by Riordan Manufacturing is the Bus Topology. This is one fundamental backbone cable linking hordes of systems as well as devices to one another. When a device desires to connect to one more device on this kind of network, the network transmits a message that all of the other devices can see; however just the intended device can accept and process the message. The benefits of using the bus topology, is that it is simple to use, very easy to set up and doesn't need much maintenance. Riordan also selected the Bus Topology for its versatility, the amount of links which it needs to run, and ease of setup for the size that Riordan is. Switching
The networks at all of Riordan's production areas require improving to enhance data transfer rates and voice communications caliber. The San Jose area has four switches, two routers as well as one hub operating on a 100 BASE-T backbone. The present hub generates a point on the network, which is prone to packet collisions, causing CSMA/CD to time out the nodes, resulting in a slowdown in the network traffic particularly the location where the servers link. The most effective network is the Albany area, composed of one router as well as three switches running over CAT5E. Improving this network will benefit the other three areas permitting the administrator access to helpful software tools. The network at the Pontiac area is running one router as well as four hubs over CAT3. The cabling alone at this area results in severe slowing of the network traffic with enhanced packet collisions due to the inclusion of four hubs and no switches. The Hangzhou area has two routers, three switches as well as two hubs operating on 100 BASE-T. The switches used at this area are not capable of running the VOIP telephones linked to the network and the use of hubs retards the voice quality with the loss of packets due to data collisions.
The team suggests improving all of Riordan's networks to switching. Switching will decrease packet collision on the network and permit the inclusion of VLANS, QoS, and Ether channels. Configuring VLANs to segregate broadcast domains would be particularly useful to Riordan's VOIP telephone systems. By setting telephones in their own VLAN, considerable amounts of incorrect broadcast traffic are not received. Data loss caused by packet collisions, incorrect data and packet loss may cause bad voice quality and the loss of voice communication while using IP phones. One more characteristic that which would assist with voice quality is QoS priority settings to permit voice packets priority while switching. The only downside of improving the Riordan network is the enhanced expense of equipment.
Team B’s recommendation is to update all backbone infrastructures to 1000 BASE-T cables with Ether channels using a fiber optic pair at every factory, every switch and hub is upgraded to port switches, Cisco Catalyst 2950 SX 48, which uses fiber pairs over Ether channels and setting up the VLANs, they segregate the IP telephones and configuration of QoS packet priority settings for the voice VLAN. San Jose, Pontiac as well as Hangzhou must have all hubs substituted for switches and all switches upgraded to the Catalyst 2950 switches. Albany must also have all switches upgraded together with the backbone as setting up all Cisco networking hardware will permit that network manager use of the Cisco Works software for node overseeing as well as link management. Access to this kind of software will permit the manager to find errors in the network rapidly and any failures which may crop up. The team suggests that once Riordan’s network switching update is implemented, a substantial rise in network speed as well as quality will be observed. Additionally, voice communications will have the most betterment. Network Security
The virtual world is an asset to have communication between employees, branches, customers as well as suppliers real-time particularly when dealing with accessing bigger files. The virtual element also results in vulnerability. These types of vulnerabilities incorporate unauthorized access, viruses, data corruption, and data thievery. The suggestion to Riordan Manufacturing is to put into action a number of security measures. The first being Firewalls; A firewall works as a filter for traffic to and from organization devices (servers, workstations, PDA’s, and so on.). The firewall is twofold; hardware as well as software. Configuring the firewall settings in the routers will prevent access without consent. Also every device (server, work station, PDA, laptop) possesses software firewall settings and configured to bar all access without verification. The team is suggesting buying the Cisco Security Management Software. The software package helps in managing safety for a number of devices as well as configuration for firewalls including the configurations for the recommended virtual private network (VPN). It also offers management for the departmental sub-nets as well as access control lists (ACL’s). Access control lists have got two approaches, white listing as well as blacklisting. White listing only permitting applications to operate and have been added to the access control list. Blacklisting happens when everything operates other than items on the block list. The suggested method for Riordan Manufacturing is white listing. This method permits the network to be a managed atmosphere. Centralizing particular hardware will allow higher security and easier maintenance. Keeping the servers, switches as well as routers in one room, which needs verification for entrance and device verification will avoid equipment tampering. Entrance verification will be a keypad, which needs access codes for the doors to open. It is also suggested that other security measures be taken; for example video monitoring of this area. Planning for detachable storage devices by giving alerts will provide in-house defense against network corruption from plugging in a device brought in for private use or malicious aims. Authorization for network access will be user ID as well as password. The ID will be exclusive and will not display the user’s name or standing. A randomly created alphanumeric ID will prevent getting user ID’s by unauthorized individuals. The passwords will once again be alphanumeric and need at least eight characters with the passwords changing every 45 days to increase protection against unauthorized access. Anti-virus software, which includes protection against malware and spyware, will help in safeguarding the network from attacks. The software definitions will be set to upgrade automatically and the security staff will evaluate blocked as well as eliminated items to assess what kinds of attacks are taking place to help in security reports. Riordan Manufacturing has workers who need remote access using laptops as well as Smart phones. This results in a new degree of security risk in the case of thievery. The data on these devices will include additional powerful encryption of data and each device will permit remote data wipes. A data wipe is remotely accessing the device and eliminating data in case required. Training of employees is crucial to keeping a network safe. Staff needs to be conscious of policies, procedures as well as possible risks; including awareness of persons around safe areas, protecting sign on information, encrypting sensitive data, and specific security questions to ensure persons are in their allowable areas. For instance, there isn't any reason that any worker would request another employee’s password.

Conclusion
Riordan Manufacturing’s network design is not the same in each area, working with equipment that is not effective in keeping pace with the data flow and isn't dependable. The designs are prone to attack and illegal access. The main focus of updating Riordan Manufacturing’s network is getting all areas to a standard design. Using correct hardware, analyzing protocols, configuring to organization requirements, checking for security as well as implementing new security policies is required. This design includes up-graded hardware as well as software making a network environment which is quick, dependable as well as secure. These modifications will have justifiable cost permitting high profitability from precision, efficiency as well as security.

References
Shelly, G. B., Cashman, T. J., & Serwatka, J. A. (2004). Business data communications (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Course Technology.
Tomsho, G., Tittel, E., & Johnson, G. (2004). Guide to networking essentials (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Course Technology.
Apollo group. (2004). Riordan Manufacturing. Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Business/Riordan/Internet/IndexPort.htm