Layer 2 Domains Paper
We have chosen an extended star topology connection using a router to designate the VLANS and two 24 port switches to provide the most cost effective setup for this small office network. Being the very small nature of the setup we are using a class C network of 192.168.0.1 that we will designate the first 20 IP addresses of each VLAN as static to support any servers we might install as well as printers we may install in the future. The other 106 host will be set to DHCP for the computers and allows additional computers in the future. The rest of this paper will discuss why we have made these choices.
First we will talk about why we have used a C class network.
Second we …show more content…
Knowing all of the advantages and disadvantages of the star topology gives the network manager a clear understanding of what is required to keep the network up and running to the fullest efficiency possible.
Although the most important use of VLANs is management, we have decided to have both floors be in a centralized distribution area with high quality switches, UPS (uninterrupted power supply) and router. In our office both floors need to interact with each other. VLANs are a way of combining computers and hosts via a subnet. Since hosts that are members of a particular VLAN can talk to one another, this VLAN grouping provides an inherent security. However, to get hosts from different VLANs to talk to each other, we would need to setup inter-VLAN routing. In doing this, it would make the security point of a VLAN debatable. Furthermore, there are administrative costs with VLANS and we ultimately want to keep it simple. We will have a domain controller on our file server. Within the domain controller, we will be able to group different employees into different categories within active directory. This way certain users will only have access to the data needed, on the file server, to perform their duties.
References
Naik, A. (2011, March 23). Star Topology Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved February 15, 2014, from Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/star-topology-advantages-and-disadvantages.html