In this exercise, you will diagram network devices that you are most familiar with - the ones in your home or your apartment. Your assignment is to draw a network diagram of "your" home network. It can be either the one at your apartment, or one from your parent's house.

You probably don't want to limit yourself to a smaller network like your own dorm room, since these do not have a lot of devices on them like most home networks do.

You will use Visio to complete your network diagram. Section 2 of this homework document walks you through some of the steps you'd need to use Visio to diagram your network.

Assignment

Your assignment is to diagram your network with Visio AND explain the network elements in a Microsoft Word document. Your network diagram should describe the network elements in a common (your) home network. You are not required to make the diagram fit a particular network (you can make it up if you want).

Network Diagram

Complete the network diagram using Visio. If you do not have this software, you can locate it through the Virtual Lab System or you can get it through the Microsoft Imagine Program.

Your network diagram must include the following network elements, each labeled as to its FUNCTION an IP ADDRESS:

A cloud to represent the "Internet Service Provider's Network"

A DSL, Cable Modem or similar device that connects your network to the ISP's network

A router*

A switch*

A wireless access point*

At least one wired PC

At least one wireless PC or device

At least one "other" network device (smart appliances, smart TVs, digital streaming devices, network attached storage, Voice over IP telephone access device, etc.)

* If all three of these functions are in one device, only one device is needed to be on the diagram, but it must be labeled appropriately.

Your network diagram must include the following information in a label, across the top of the diagram:

The name of the network (e.g. Smith Family Home Network)

Your name, Penn State email address, and date you completed this diagram

Network Description

Complete a description of the network diagram in a corresponding Microsoft Word document. Put your name and Penn State email address on the header of the document and title it with the same title you used for your diagram. Now, for each network device on your diagram, explain the following items:

Now, for each network device on your diagram, explain the following items:

Manufacturer and Model of the device - e.g. Dell Optiplex 980, Apple Macbook Pro, Linksys WRT-120NRM, etc.

IP Address - If this device has a fixed IP address in your network, document it here. Otherwise, document the IP Range that it might get from the DHCP server in your house/apartment.

Function - What does this device do and for which users? E.g., "Mom's Laptop" ... and add a short description of what each device does or what the user does with the device.

Note: If you have several of the same kind of device on the network, only one description is required for each different kind. For example, if Mom, Dad, Phineas, Ferb and Candace all have laptops and use them for the same kinds of functions, then you only need to describe them once in the document, but all five need to show up on the diagram.

What to turn in...

Your Network Diagram from Visio in .vsd format

Your Network Description from Microsoft Word in .docx fomat

Step 1: Open Visio

In the classrooms and on the vlabs system here is where it will be located:

Start | All Programs | Office Productivity | Microsoft Office 2013 | Visio

Open Visio

Step 2: Choose "Detailed Network Diagram"

Choose Detailed Network Diagram

Note, you might have to wait for the diagram options to populate

Step 3: Choose "US Units" (if it appears) and Click "Create"

Select US Units

Step 4: Place your network devices

Drag and drop a network device from the Stencils Palette on to your diagram.

Place your network devices

Note: Find additional useful shapes under "Computers and Monitors" and "Network Locations".

Step 5: Label your network device

Double-Click on the icon for the device and type in a short name or description.

Label your network device

Step 6: Connect Network Devices

• Switch to the "Connector" tool from the toolbar.

• Drag and drop between two devices.

• Label the connection with the type of wiring that is used. (Double-click the line to get the label to pop up.)

• Switch back to the "Pointer Tool" when done.

Now, repeat Steps 4, 5 and 6 for each network device.

Connect network devices

Step 7: Add Additional Labels

• Add a Title Label across the top of the diagram.

• Add a Legend to the side of the diagram.

add additional labels

Step 8: Add additional elements to make the diagram more clear

• Containers (Insert Container)

• Labels (with text boxes)

• Change color and thicknesses of connection lines

• Change the line style (dotted, dashed, etc.) of connector lines