In this assignment, you will apply your knowledge of IP addressing schemes, address translation, routing protocol, and network topologies to design a simple network architecture for a mid-sized organization that meets user requirements and supports core business operations.
Course Learning Outcomes
The following course learning outcomes are assessed in this project:
· Apply knowledge of software and hardware requirements to design basic network applications that address specialized needs.
AI may be used as a tool to support your process with proper documentation but may not create or write any part of your project for you. AI-generated projects will result in an academic integrity violation as outlined in the Study.com Academic Integrity Policy.
Instructions
Scenario:
You have been hired as a network designer by WaveRight Solutions, a growing IT services company. The company consists of three departments–Administration, Sales, and Support. The organization currently operates in a small setup but is expanding to a new office that will accommodate approximately 50 employees.
WaveRight Solutions requires a scalable and secure IP-based network that supports internet connectivity, data sharing, VoIP communication, and access to centralized resources such as printers and servers.
As the network designer, your task is to plan and document a complete network design that meets the company’s requirements for performance, scalability, and reliability.
Tasks
Create a network design document that includes the following components:
1) Network Requirement Analysis
· Describe the networking requirements of the organization, including the number of users, devices, and supported applications.
· Briefly explain the reasoning behind your assessment–why these specific needs matter for the organization and how they influence your overall network design choices (e.g., bandwidth needs, departmental demands, scalability considerations).
2) Topology Design
· Propose logical and physical network topology for the organization.
· Draw clear and precise network diagrams.
· Briefly describe the reasoning behind your topology decisions, including why you selected the specific layout and how it best supports performance, scalability, fault tolerance, and departmental structure.
3) IP Addressing and Subnetting Plan
· Outline an IP addressing scheme for the organization.
· Provide subnetting tables showing network segments and host allocations.
· Briefly explain the reasoning behind your addressing choices, such as how you determined network segments, host allocations, and efficient use of IP ranges.
4) Reflection on Design Choices
· Discuss one design challenge you encountered and how your final solution meets real-world networking needs.
Deliverables:
Network design document that includes:
· Detailed overview of the network design
· Logical and physical topology diagrams
· An IP addressing scheme with subnetting tables
· Reflection (200-250 words) on challenges and real-world relevance
You may refer to the course material for supporting evidence, but you must also use 1-2 external sources. All sources should be cited using APA format.
Formatting
Please write your project in APA format and submit it as a Microsoft Word or Google Docs file.