Assessment 1: Network Design (Research)

Length: 500 words.

Task

In this assessment, you are required to read Assessment 2 (Research Network Design) and research a range of options/methods that can be used for network designing in Assessment 2. Based on your research you are required to post your views on pros and cons of each available option for the completion of Assessment 2 and select an option that you will use to complete that assessment.

In your post you must also justify the reasons behind your selection. Your post will be marked on:

• Expressing your professional viewpoint on the topic.
• Justifying your viewpoint with valid and credible evidence.

You are also required to provide constructive comments on at least one other student's post. The final marks for this assessment will be provided along with Assessment 2.

Rationale

This assessment has been designed to assist students with the completion of the 4th assessment task "Research Network Design" by researching the various available tools/methods.

Regular posting also opens peer to peer learning opportunities that will also prove to be helpful for problem solving some of the upcoming tasks that students will encounter later in this subject. This assessment item aims to assess the following learning objectives of this subject:

• be able to explain how data flows through the internet;
• be able to ascertain and evaluate selection of applications and protocols for transferring data across the internet; and
• be able to discuss the evolution and ongoing change of the internet.

Assessment 2: Network Design (Implementation)

Task

This is a practical assessment and will enhance and test your practical skills related to the subject topic. You are required to set up a simple network using minimum three PCs and minimum two routers, or use simulation software to set up the same network.

To complete this assessment you are expected to refer to information beyond the text book. This assignment is open; in that you are free to choose the devices or software you use to complete the specified tasks. Students are expected to accomplish this task by utilising the necessary commands discussed in lectures and also described in the prescribed text book.

There are numerous web sites available that discuss Linux networking. You are expected to list your sources of information for the different tasks. When completing this project, you may encounter errors or experience difficulties getting your setup to work. If this occurs, your challenge is to analyse why they happen and report on how you solved the problems you encountered.

Task 1 - Setting up a Network

You are required to set up a network consisting of PCs, routers and servers. You need to configure routing between routers (minimum two routers required). The routers will have multiple network interfaces. The PC (client) will be connected to one of the router's interfaces and other PCs (servers) will be connected to the second router's interface.

Client <--> Router <--> Router <--> Server(s)

Setup separate server for each application/service. Each side of the router will be in its own LAN (or WAN) segment and should have a different network address, use ONLY private IP address ranges to design this network.

Perform the following activities and support your workings with screenshots:

1. Configure the PC, Server and Router interfaces with appropriate network addressing;

2. Configure routing (IP packet forwarding) on the routers;

3. On the client ping the client's own network interface, then the local router gateway interface, then the remote router interface, then the server;

4. Use the traceroute command from the client to the server. Include results of the traceroute in your submission.

Task 2 - Configuring Network Services

Using the same network topology that you have setup in Task 1, perform the following additional activities:

1. DHCP: Configure DHCP on the server and show that the client PC has successfully received an IP Address and other network parameters (default router, netmask, DNS) using DHCP;

2. WEB Server: Configure a WEB server on dedicated machine, with URL as www.YOUR NAME.csu.edu.au

3. DNS: Configure a DNS Server on the server device and demonstrate that forward and reverse DNS are working from the client PC; test DNS Server by browsing www.YOUR NAME.csu.edu.au from client PC, DNS must resolve this URL to IP address of WEB Server

4. Firewall: Configure traffic filtering on the router to block TCP traffic only between one of the client PC and WEB Servers, and provide evidence of such traffic filtering.

A series of screen shots with commentary on each of the required tasks is to be submitted. The submission must include a comprehensive explanation of each task and all the commands used along with the output (or final result) in report format.

Rationale

This assessment is designed to enhance analytical skills, planning and design capabilities of students under some predefined requirements. In particular, the assessment covers the following learning objectives:

• be able to analyse IP addressing requirements and design an addressing scheme;
• be able to analyse the requirements of IP routing and choose appropriate routing methods;
• be able to demonstrate how internetworking devices obtain their network configuration;
• be able to explain how data flows through the internet; and
• be able to ascertain and evaluate selection of applications and protocols for transferring data across the internet;