One of the most important network design considerations for an organization network is the selection of the network operating system. The Network operating system shapes the entire network and determines the operation of the network. The choices available for the proposed network at Ocper Inc. are few and provide sophisticated features, relatively easy setup and administration and high reliability.
For Ocper Inc., the Microsoft Windows NT operating system is the most ideal network operating system. The operating system offers some services that are rarely offered by the other network operating systems. This includes file and print services that allows sharing within the network in a convenient and efficient way. Additionally, the operating system is ideal for small enterprise network. Given the nature of the proposed network at Ocper, Microsoft Windows NT is ideal and is cost beneficial to the organization. This system is also easy to setup, administer and maintain.
Describe how you would incorporate the new servers into the environment proposed in Assignment 1 and how you would address what additional changes might be needed
The environment proposed for Ocper Inc. is a LAN network with a star network topology, which is preferable for the small setting in the organization. A star topology has a central conduit or transmitter that acts as a connection with all other nodes or workstations in the network. The central herb could also serve as a server and communicate with all other devices (Dean, 2010). A common instance is when there is the need to share internet access in the network, the server will be configured to provide the service and all other nodes will depend on the server for service. The network environment proposed also allows easy upgrade of the network without major changes or incurring additional costs. To incorporate the new servers, a network repeater, and additional cabling will be required. Each server will be connected to the central hub where communication will still be controlled. The repeaters will be used to strengthen the signal from the communicating devices (Dean, 2010).
The client server model proposed enables the configuration of these servers to provide service particularly file sharing service through the star topology. The new servers can additionally communicate with one another and with other network clients that need their services. Determine the best option for VPN access for the employees to remotely access the Ocper, Inc. network and explain your reasoning
There are two options for deploying the VPN remote access in a network setup this are IP Security (IPsec) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technologies. Both options have their merits and demerits and depend on the organizational user requirements and the existing technology processes in the organization. However, for the Ocper, Inc case, the IPsec option is the most ideal for remote access. Given the nature of requirements that is pure access for employees of the company, the option is the most ideal since it is widely used and easily understood by the end users.
Additionally, the system would require no additional software and programs to implement the technology. Windows network operating system has an inbuilt VPN functionality that support the PPTP and L2TP/IPsec VPN technologies, therefore, saving the company additional expenditure that would be incurred in other technologies.
The remote access is established with the aid of pre-installed Windows NT operating system installed in the systems. This helps to focus on the company network which includes clients and server stations in the network.
References
Cisco. (2012). Remote-Access VPNs: Business Productivity, Deployment, and Security Considerations. Retrieved 02 27, 2014, from Cisco: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/security/asa-5500-series-next-generation-firewalls/prod_white_paper0900aecd804fb79a.html
Dean, T. (2010). Network + Guide to networks. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.
Phillip, H. (1995). Network Operating Systems: Making the Right Choices. ddison Wesley Professional.
