Network Topology Case Study

Sully

Hey,

As part of my course in BSc Applied Computing - Internetworking Stream - I (we all get different essays) have been asked to do a research assignment on a Typical University Campus. I have been asked to discuss more the topology and technologies used in such a network and am finding it hard to get started. I have been told there are plenty of case studies online, but im finding it very difficult to find any. It doesnt have to be a university, it could be a shop, bank etc. also.

I contacted some of the Universities around Ireland but only one person replied and stated the software they used, and nothing else. Iv searched to see if there are case studies on McDonalds, but there was one about its rollout of WiFi but not really of use.

Can anybody point me in a direction where I would find some good case studies to help me in my essay?

Any tips are also appreciated. Thanks.

Static M.e.

Have you tried approaching your own Uni and speaking to the Network admin?

He should be able to give some topology diagrams what technologies they use on the network.

Sully

No because our own lectruer asked them to do it as a presentation for our class and they refused.

I have to focus on the management side, and another guy is doing the design. Strangely, im getting a lot of stuff on Google about the design but not very good sites related to management. More so seems to be offering software!

Chopper

Hi Sully,

You might break Network Topology down into more specific parts

- The landscape - What each machine does and how they interconnect.
- Administration network - How roles and policies are used/managed.
- The DMZ - How the lan/wan is isolated from the www. The use of VPN.

In each area you will find companies who specialise and may have case studies available from customer examples. There are also the larger software houses like ORACLE, SAP, MSFT who would aim to cover the full Network Topology for their customers. Check their sales pages for technical info and case studies.


Good Luck,
Chopper

Sully

Hey Chopper,

Thanks for your post. I cant see exactly how I should search for those, as they are not specific terms that will attract much attention. Iv been searching for ages in many different ways for case studies but am finding it very difficult to find any.

One company had a case study, but it went into very little detail so wasnt of use!

Cheers.

_CreeD_

Forget the existing case studies then. If you have any knowledge of networking layout your own theoretical network segments, then go chat with the IT folks with at least something in hand for clarification and real-world scenarios. They may tell a lecturer they can't make an appointment to do a presentation but most IT guys are only too happy to show off , follow one around for a few hours, buy the coffee and chat as they go.
Chopper laid out plenty of points to start with but you're going at it the wrong way, stop thinking in terms of search-key-words.
It breaks down into
WAN and LAN
Physical and Logical Topologies
Interconnectivity devices (Switches, Routers, Access Point, Firewalls, VPN and maybe brush over IPS (though it's not strictly speaking a function of topology when in IPS mode they do control access to the network).
The Concepts of layer 2 and 3 routing.
The basics of Encryption and Stateful Firewalling.
Wireless vs. Cable etc.

Layout a hierarchical map going from the broadest topics to the details, then do a google on those details and you'll be fine. But mainly, bribe the IT folks with Coffee...and chocolate never hurts either....

Sully

OK maybe I have been looking at this the wrong way.

Would the correct approach be to discuss the following areas;
Authorization, Security management, Performance management, Bandwidth management, and Accounting management. Then some of the protocols such as SNMP,CMIP & WBEM? And try to refer to how how a campus would use these to manage a network?

My lecturer advised me today;

let's take WIT as the Case Study - 5,000 full time students / 5,000 part-time students (approx.) - User accounts required for all - email access, web access. Senior managment, Lecturers and Admin staff. So various categories of users spread across 3 campus locations. Whats involved in management of services (e.g. access to finance/accounts package, student record system etc) for these categories of users. From the network equipment perspective what is involved in managing the various routers, switches (and any other equipment you think may be necessary). What are the crucial pieces of information a network technician needs to monitor in order to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of this equipment ? You could really expand on this section.
Suggested ToC (obviously you would need to expand on these and rephrase for appropriate headings)
1 paragraph scenario description
Issues involved in management of hardware
Issues involved in management of software on this hardware (e.g. IOS/configuration management)
Provision of services to users
top security issues to be address

So I think im covering the material OK - or am I going completely of the mark? (obviously different headings)

Sully

Got the heads up the other day, but was told to implement examples of a uni/college and see how they manage their network. Iv asked my college in the hope.. but other then that, ill just have to take a logical guess at how it might be implemented.

My essay is following the FCAPS model.

One question: Can anybody verify if the following is still in use within networks? :- http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/ito_doc/ibm_nman.htm

I cant find any site to back up the claims, and its possible that document was written as far back as 1992. I contacted IBM but they refused on the grounds of company policy - they dont allow researchers to ask questions.

Cheers again