A network is a set of hardware devices connected with each other in order to provide its users with desired functionality (NetworkDictionary.com, n.d.). Design of a network depends on the number of computers in it and could be rather different. Network topology differs as well and depends on the level of reliability that it must have. Ring, star, bus, and other topologies are used in different situations and cases in order to provide various solutions for network designers.
In this case, it is necessary to construct a network for a person who is starting a small billing business and has asked to design the network. The network must organize two workstations, two laptops, one server for three users, one networking printer, file and folder sharing, internet access; provide basic security environment and access to multiply email addresses. All these devices should provide computers and laptops of the employees with the access to the local network, the Internet, and printing functionality.
The network is going to be set up according to the following plan. Network will have file and print server, connected to the network printer. File and print server in network will be connected to the hub that will provide access to the server. Server will be connected to the router that will provide access to the internet. Therefore, we will get network that can be easily secured and protected from the outside intrusion. The network will be built using star topology in order to provide all computers with access to the server simultaneously in disregard to the actual functionality of each computer (WarePrise.com, n.d.).
In addition, network will include Wi-Fi access point in order to provide laptop users with extra functionality, such as wireless access to the network, network printer, and the Internet. The diagram below provides us with the graphic illustration of how the network should be designed:
Network design
Fault Tolerance in a Network
Fault tolerance is critical for some systems, such as large data storages, internet providers, etc. Thus, fault tolerance in general is the ability of a computer or a computer network to keep operating in the event of a hardware failure. Holmes (2010) defines fault tolerance as “a design that ensures a computer application will remain functioning in the event of catastrophic failure.” In addition, network fault tolerance as the example of redundancy presupposes the use of several telecommunication providers and connection lines for a business building, for example. In case of emergency with one vendor, the others will not fail business operations (Holmes, 2010).
Fault tolerance can be added to a computer rather simple. Additional uninterruptable power supply (UPS) plugged into another power socket than the main one will assure extra redundancy to the power supply of a computer (LeMahieu, Bohossian, & Bruck, 1998). In case of hard drive disk failure probability, it would be wise to add several hard drives and combine them into either Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) Level 1 Disk Mirroring or RAID Level 5 Stripe Sets with Parity. These steps would assure continuity of …