Small Network Infrastructure Project Requirements, Tasks, and Deliverables

Sample Solution

Alpha-Tech Training Center Network Infrastructure Project

This document outlines the design, configuration plan, testing strategy, and implementation steps for the network infrastructure at Alpha-Tech's new training center. The network will be segmented into subnets to manage access and security for students, faculty, administration, and IT staff, while providing internet access and supporting necessary computing resources.

1. Network Design

We will implement a segmented network using VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) on Layer 2 switches and configure inter-VLAN routing on the Layer 3 router. This approach allows us to logically separate the different user groups while sharing the physical infrastructure.

Full Answer Section

ubnet Allocation and VLAN Assignment:

To accommodate the required number of devices in each segment, we will allocate subnets within the Class C private IP address range (192.168.x.0/24).

Network Topology:

We will utilize a star topology, connecting all end devices to one or more Layer 2 switches. The switches will then connect to a Layer 3 router, which will provide inter-VLAN routing and the default gateway for all subnets, as well as the connection to the ISP.

                                Internet
                                   |
                                  [Router] (Interface to ISP)
                                   |
                                   | (Inter-VLAN Routing)
                                   |
                   --------------------------------------------------
                  |                                                |
        [Switch 1] (Layer 2)                             [Switch 2] (Layer 2)
      /     |     \                                  /     |     \
     /      |      \                                /      |      \
[16 Student][3 Faculty][1 Student/Faculty Printer] [5 Admin][2 IT Staff][1 Staff Printer][2 Servers]
  Workstations Workstations                               Workstations Workstations

Device IP Addressing Scheme:

We will assign static IP addresses to all network infrastructure devices (router and switches) for easier management. End devices (workstations, servers, printers) can also be assigned static IPs or configured for DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) within their respective subnets, with the router acting as the DHCP server for each VLAN. For simplicity in this configuration, we will outline static IP assignments for key devices.

Note: We will assume the use of at least two Layer 2 switches to accommodate the physical port requirements. Switch 1 will primarily serve the student and faculty areas, while Switch 2 will serve administration, IT staff, servers, and printers. The router will have multiple Gigabit Ethernet interfaces to connect to these switches or utilize sub-interfaces for inter-VLAN routing.

2. Configuration Plan

This section outlines the configuration steps for the router and switches. We will use Cisco IOS commands.

A. Router Configuration:

1. Basic Configuration:

   Cisco CLI

   enable
   configure terminal
   hostname Alpha-Tech-Router
   no ip domain lookup
   line console 0
   password CiscoPass
   login
   line vty 0 4
   password CiscoPass
   login
   enable secret class
   

2. Interface Configuration and Inter-VLAN Routing: We will use sub-interfaces on a physical interface (e.g., GigabitEthernet0/0 and GigabitEthernet0/1) to handle traffic for different VLANs.

   Cisco CLI

   interface GigabitEthernet0/0.10
    encapsulation dot1Q 10
    ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet0/1.20
    encapsulation dot1Q 20
    ip address 192.168.20.1 255.255.255.0
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet0/1.30
    encapsulation dot1Q 30
    ip address 192.168.30.1 255.255.255.0
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet0/1.40
    encapsulation dot1Q 40
    ip address 192.168.40.1 255.255.255.0
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet0/1.50
    encapsulation dot1Q 50
    ip address 192.168.50.1 255.255.255.0
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet0/1.60
    encapsulation dot1Q 60
    ip address 192.168.60.1 255.255.255.0
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet0/2
    ip address <IP Address from ISP> <Subnet Mask from ISP>
    no shutdown
   !
   ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 GigabitEthernet0/2 <ISP Gateway IP>
   !
   end
   write memory
   

B. Switch 1 Configuration:

1. Basic Configuration:

   Cisco CLI

   enable
   configure terminal
   hostname Alpha-Tech-Switch1
   no ip domain lookup
   line console 0
   password CiscoPass
   login
   line vty 0 4
   password CiscoPass
   login
   enable secret class
   !
   interface vlan 1
    ip address 192.168.99.10 255.255.255.0
    no shutdown
   !
   ip default-gateway 192.168.99.1
   !
   spanning-tree mode rapid-pvst
   !
   end
   write memory
   

2. VLAN Creation and Interface Assignment: Assuming GigabitEthernet0/1 connects to the router's GigabitEthernet0/0 interface.

   Cisco CLI

   configure terminal
   vlan 10
    name Student
   vlan 20
    name Faculty
   vlan 60
    name Printer
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet0/1
    switchport mode trunk
    switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20,60
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet1/1 - GigabitEthernet1/16  (Assuming ports 1-16 are for students)
    switchport mode access
    switchport access vlan 10
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet2/1 - GigabitEthernet2/3   (Assuming ports 1-3 are for faculty)
    switchport mode access
    switchport access vlan 20
   !
   interface GigabitEthernet3/1                      (Assuming port 1 is for the Student/Faculty printer)
    switchport mode access
    switchport access vlan 60
   !
   end
   write memory
   

C. Switch 2 Configuration:

1. Basic Configuration:

   Cisco CLI

   enable
   configure terminal
   hostname Alpha-Tech-Switch2
   no ip domain lookup
   line console 0
   password CiscoPass