RUAHA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

P.O BOX 774, IRINGA-TANZANIA

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE.

COURSE NAME :
COURSE CODE : RCS 211
LECTURER NAME : MR.RUTTA.
TYPE OF WORK : GROUP ASSIGNMENT.
DATE OF SUBMISSION : 21/04/2023

NAME REGISTRATION NO. SIGN

FARID SALEH MWENDA RU/BSCSE/2022/114
DANIEL RICHARD CHARLES RU/BSCSE/2022/043
SEKELA GYM TRAINER RU/BSCSE/2022/
PHILMINNA TOLU RU/BSCSE/2022/
GOODLUCK GOZBERT RU/BSCSE/2022/
PETER JOKER RU/BSCSE/2022/
ELVIS YARED BAGUMA RU/BSCSE/2022/
JULIUS NYERERE RU/BSCSE/2022/
GROUP03 QUESTION:
CNT Books has expanded considerably since you got a network up and running three years
ago. It now occupies an entire floor in the building, and its LAN has grown to include several
servers and more than 60 workstations. CNT Books has recently purchased another book
company and needs more space and computers. Expansion plans include leasing another
floor four stories above the current offices in the same building and adding 35 workstations
and at least one more server immediately, with additional equipment purchases expected.
What type of network is called for -- LAN, WAN, MAN, or internetwork? What additional
devices might be needed to ensure efficient network communication?
ANSWERS:

 SUITABLE TYPE OF NETWORK FOR EXPANSION PLANS:

Due to the expansion plans and the need to connect across multiple floors within the
same building, a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) or an Internetwork (connecting
multiple LANs) would be more suitable.

1. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network):

 A MAN would be appropriate if the expansion involves connecting
multiple buildings or a large area within the same city. It's designed to
cover a larger geographical area than a LAN but is still confined to a
specific metropolitan region.

2. Internetwork (connecting multiple LANs):

 If the expansion involves multiple LANs within the same organization,
an Internetwork might be more suitable. This can involve connecting
LANs on different floors or in different sections of the building.

Therefore, the above types are suitable rather than using LAN (Local Area Network) which is
limited to small geographical area OR WAN (Wide Area Network) which connects devices
across long distances used to connect offices in different cities or countries.

 ADDITIONAL DEVICES FOR EFFICIENT NETWORK COMMUNICATION:

1. Routers:
 Routers are hardware devices that connect different networks and
manage data traffic between them. They determine the optimal path
for data to travel between networks, facilitating communication.
Routers are crucial for linking multiple floors or segments within a
building.

2. Switches:
 Switches are networking devices that create a robust internal network
by connecting various devices within the same floor or segment. Unlike
hubs, switches intelligently direct data only to the device that needs it,
enhancing local communication efficiency.
 3. Cabling Infrastructure:
 Cabling infrastructure involves the physical wiring that connects
devices in a network. High-quality cabling, such as fiber optics or
advanced Ethernet cables is essential for fast and reliable data transfer
between different floors or sections of a building.

4. Access Points (Wireless):

 Access Points are physical devices that enable wireless devices to
connect to a wired network. They are strategically placed to ensure
seamless wireless coverage throughout the expanded space.

5. Firewalls and Security Appliances:

 Firewalls are security devices, either hardware or software-based, that
monitors and control network traffic based on predefined security
rules. Security appliances encompass various hardware tools, such as
intrusion detection/prevention systems, antivirus appliances, and VPN
gateways, to protect the network from unauthorized access and cyber
threats.

6. Additional Servers:
 Servers are powerful computers configured to handle specific tasks,
such as hosting applications or managing network resources.
Additional servers are needed to accommodate the increased load,
and their configurations should consider redundancy and failover for
reliability.

7. Network Monitoring Tools:

 Network monitoring tools are software or hardware solutions that
track and analyze network performance. They help identify
bottlenecks, monitor resource utilization, and ensure the efficient
operation of the network.

8. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS):

 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a hardware device that provides
temporary power during electrical outages. It ensures continuity of
operations, preventing data loss and network downtime by supplying
power to critical devices until normal power is restored.

Therefore, creating a strong network for CNT Books involves key devices. Routers connect
different parts, switches enhance internal communication, and quality cabling ensures fast
data transfer. Access points offer wireless coverage, while firewalls secure against threats.
Additional servers handle increased workload, and monitoring tools ensure optimal
performance. Uninterruptible power supply prevents data loss. Together, these devices
form a comprehensive network, ensuring connectivity, security, and reliability for CNT
Books' expanding operations.
REFERENCES:
 DESIGNING AND OPTIMIZING ENTERPRISE NETWORKS by JOHN DOE
 https://www.networkworld.com/
 https://blog.netwrix.com/2019/01/08/network-devices-explained/