Planning and Implementing: Network Architecture, Essay Example

In fig 1.1, network architecture is demonstrated showing connectivity of workstations, servers, printers and switches within each department.  Workstation located in Jane’s office is linked by an Ethernet switch that is connected to the server.  In the same way, Jim’s office is also linked with the same switch that is connected to the server. The server room architecture consists of servers, printers and switches. Server is linked with printer that is connected by a separate IP address. Moreover, the cube architecture consists of six workstations that are altogether connected with a separate switch terminating on another switch.  The data transmission of this wired architecture is constructed on CAT 5. Switches are not considered as intelligent devices. However, layer 3 switches have a capability of configuring multiple virtual local area networks. Normal Ethernet switch do not have configuration capability, whereas, layer 3 or manageable switch has the capability of configuring multiple VLAN (Ethernet switch.2011). As per network dictionary, VLAN is defined as a concept of a logical network consisting of collection of devices related to one or more local area network connected to each other. However they are attacked to several local area network segments Virtual LAN.

Installing a Server

A windows based server that will operate on Microsoft Windows is required. Likewise, it will construct an infrastructure in order to operate information technology from back end (Windows Server System.2007, n.d).

• The first step is to insert the DVD of Windows Server 2008 into the DVD drive.
• After loading the DVD, windows will ask for reboot. After rebooting, Windows will load files, as shown in Fig 2.1

Figure 2.1

• In the next step, windows will ask user select an option for installing language. After language selection, user will click Next to proceed.
• Click ‘Install now’ tab for initiating the installation process

Figure 2.2

• Users are familiar with Product activation, as the wizard is similar to Microsoft Windows home versions, as shown in fig 2.3. Enter the Product ID and click next or one more option i.e. automatically activate Windows installation, after performing these steps, click Next.

Figure 2.3

• After entering the appropriate product ID, the next option will be to select the type of license. User will also select the appropriate version as well, as shown in Fig 2.4.

Figure 2.4

• Click next, after reviewing the license agreement as shown in Fig. 2.5

Figure 2.5                                                        

• The next step is to select the installation type. However, installation type option is for advanced users for required utilities for network monitoring. As this is a server installation that will operate on a network, user will click the option available- Custom (Advanced) as shown in Fig. 2.6.

Figure 2.6

• In this process you have to decide where you want to install windows and select “Where do you want to install Windows?” usually Disk 0, or first disk, select Next.

Figure 2.7

• After following all the steps, installation process will begin, Copy the setup file form the DVD to the hard drive this will only take a few moments. The installation process duration depends on the hardware specification. The window Server takes up about 10 GB of hard drive space. The installation process has begun as seen in Fig. 2.8

Figure 2.8

• The login screen will appear after windows server installation as seen in Fig 2.9. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to log in.

Figure 2.9

• Windows server installation is now complete. The primary configuration of the server will align organizations requirements.

References

Windows Server System. (2007). Network Dictionary, , 528-528.

Ethernet switch. (2011). Computer Desktop Encyclopedia, , 1.

Virtual LAN. (2007). Network Dictionary, , 515-515.