Network Design Project Task 4 - Making The Connections

In this task, you are putting all the infrastructure and devices into place. For example – where the switch is placed in the lab? How are these new rooms/networks connected to the main institution network? How much cabling do you need? How do you connect the different floors?

Once your group has chosen the internetworking devices you will need for your network, the devices must be interconnected. Your group needs to consider four physical areas when planning: work area, telecommunications room (distribution facility), backbone or vertical cabling, and distribution or horizontal cabling. The purpose of this discussion is for the groups to consider the physical connections that must take place for networking to be successful. Figures 1 and 2 gives you a basic idea of cabling structure. You will also need to find out about what type of media (twisted pair, fiber optic, wireless) you need and its capabilities. Not all media are created equal and each has its own capabilities and limitations. Figures 3 and 4 shows you some examples.

a) Identify the work areas on your floor plan.
b) How many connections, patch cords and switch ports have you determined you need?
c) Identify cable types and length.

Deliverables:
• Sketch/drawing of your PC & network devices arrangement.
• The cable length in the identified work areas.
• Due: Week 12 - Sunday 3 January 2021, before 6pm. Submit a PDF file at e-learning.

**Note: Measure the floor plan for the case study to see the maximum distance they have to cover from the MDF (Main Distribution Facility). Do not forget to add in the cable length going up the walls and around corners. Record the lengths.
**Tips: Scale is important here, to correctly suggest locations and cable structure. Cable lengths need to be determined and matched with technology used.