Network Information Systems

Scenario

Netron plc is a British quad play internet service provider (ISP); providing broadband, landline, digital television and Mobile services. The company was founded in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. On 30 January 2007, Netron was acquired by CT Group, but it continues to operate as a separate business. By December 2013, it had over 450,000 customers across the UK. Netron was one of the first ISPs in the UK to use Network Quality of Service (QoS) techniques, which it introduced in 2002, in order to control the finite data bandwidth available to them at peak times.

Netron are an active player in the UK's web community, playing an active role in web community events around the UK, especially in the north of England. Events like OpenCoffee and Geekup often see a Netron presence. Netron also work with local universities on graduate recruitment, internships and multimedia projects.

You work as a Senior Network analyst in Netron. They have recently formed a partnership with an UK university and temporarily recruited 5 graduates for network analyst positions. At the end of the probationary period you will be able to offer one of them a permanent position.

Your line manager Mark Johnson has asked you to provide training to this group of analysts. You have the following tasks for your new assignment with the company.

Task 1 - Handbook Instructions
You need to provide all apprentices with a handbook which will provide them with a review of the core academic knowledge before they start lab training.

You are now preparing a handbook for them and you are required to do the following:

a. Introductory part of the handbook covers the fundamentals of networking. In the introduction, provide an explanation of the impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth management and an assessment of how protocols enable the effectiveness of networked systems.
b. Introduction is followed by a comparison of common networking approaches, an evaluation of the importance of Network Systems Management and an explanation of the interdependencies of hardware, software and networking.
c. Conclude the handbook by providing an evaluation of typical network protocols and standards and also an evaluation of different network monitoring systems

Task 2 - Lab demonstration

All juniors have completed the mandatory academic part of the training and now they are ready to start practical part of their work. You have planned to demonstrate them how to plan, design, setup and configure a network system.

Instructions

a. Your lab instructor will give you a scenario based on the resource availability.
Produce a comprehensive design of a network to that given scenario.
b. Install a network according to a predefined network specification as given by your lab instructor.
c. Configure network services and applications as instructed by your lab instructor.