Case Study 1:
Conduct an online research to obtain an array of data over a period of time for a trend of your interest. For example, the data could be the number of smartphone users from 2005 to 2012, or the number of Verizon's FTTH subscribers from the launch of their FiOS service to 2012, or the number of security breaches on government agencies from 2000 to 2012, or the number on worldwide Internet users from 1992 to 2012, or the number of satellites launched by the US since Sputnik.
We want to enter the data array into Excel, and plot the corresponding graph showing the variation of the data in time, labeling the vertical axis (data) as Y, and the horizontal axis (time) as X. X could be in years, months, days, etc.
We want to use Excel graphing, and the Trendline utility to extract a function Y(X) to model the data variation; for example, Y(X)=0.25X+12.2 is a straight line model; or Y(X)=X2+2X+1 is a quadratic model, X>0. Once we extract the Y(X) model equation, we can use it to estimate a prediction (forecasting) of the trend Y into a near future X.
Write a Word document to describe the subject briefly, present the data acquired (in a table), show the resulting Excel graph and the Y(X) model obtained by Trendline analysis, and discuss the data and model. Then, use the Y(X) model extracted to do some prediction (forecasting) of your data trend Y into the near future. The Trendline feature of Excel allows you to display the Y(X) model equation on the plot itself.
The document is required to:
include the data set used (in table form, with source referenced)
include the Excel plots, with proper labeling, and showing the Y(X) model equation directly on the plots
be at least 3 pages long (excluding name and references page), double spaced, 11 point font
have at least 3 references, listed and cited in APA format
The final report, upon submission for grading, should be processed automatically by turnitin.com for plagiarism check (max score is 15%). You may rework the paper, and resubmit it to improve the score.
Case Study 2:
The U.S. government has put in place IPv6-compliance mandates to help with the IPv4-to-IPv6 transition. Such mandates require government agencies to have their websites, email and other services available over IPv6.
Let's consider that you've been appointed as the IPv6 transition manager at a relatively small branch of a government agency (e.g., a branch of the Social Security agency in a medium-size town). Your main responsibility is to produce a plan with a timetable for achieving compliance with the IPv6 mandate. The plan should specify the guidelines, solutions, and technologies for supporting IPv6 throughout the agency branch. The plan should include the following, among other things:
Summary of the applicable government IPv6 mandate
Brief description of the networking facility at the branch (LANs, servers, routers, etc.)
Summary of the main IPv6-related RFCs that pertain to the IPv6 support
Cooperation with ISPs and equipment vendors to implement IPv6 support
Summary of the solutions and technologies to be employed in implementing IPv6 (e.g., dual-stack, tunneling, translation)
Timetable for completion of IPv6 transition
Plan for testing the IPv6 compliance in expectation of an audit by the government
The deliverable is a report (in Word) of 6 to 10 pages, excluding the name and biblio pages, with 3 to 5 solid references (APA format), at least. The use of drawings and other graphics is highly recommended.