FREE ESSAY ON NETWORKING

NETWORKING

Design and Installation of Internal Network for the
Air Force Base Computer Training Center
CMIS 370 
INTRODUCTION
The Air Force Base Network Standardization and Evaluation Section is responsible for the
training, licensing, and certifying of network professionals through the use of
in-residence courses, computer based training (CBT), and formal task evaluations. There
are 18 Network Control Center (NCC) personnel assigned to manage the backbone of the base
network and over 40 system administrators and workgroup managers who manage their
respective units on base. They all require training and certification by October 2000 to
be authorized to perform maintenance and operations on the Air Force network.
Our immediate task is to design and install an internal network (separate from the
current operational base MAN) to support a classroom consisting of eight students and an
instructor. It is important to develop a training program that replicates as many
real-world scenarios as possible. The main objectives of the course will be to train
individuals on basic networking principles, MS NT 4.0 Workstation, and Microsoft NT 4.0
Server. The course will include both lecture and hands-on performance tasks.
To complete this task I will cover the guidelines and limitations associated with
planning, classroom set-up, and installing the network. Also, the objective of the course
and the curriculum will determine the type of network and the necessary equipment
required. We will cover the type of hardware, media, and software required as well as,
facility, and personnel issues, keeping within a limited budget. 
In addition, network types, topologies, protocols, hardware/software configuration and
optimization will be discussed. Finally, it is important that we consider the management,
upgrading, and overall maintenance of the network. Before we begin with the planning and
installation process we will first look at a brief background of our purpose and
mission.
BACKGROUND
The Air Force's goal with this project is to accomplish the task of training and
certifying network professionals in the most effective and efficient manner. The cost
savings would be tremendous by locally training versus the thousands of dollars spent to
send each individual to a commercial course. Additionally, our training can be tailored
to specific features of the AFB's network. One challenge however, is to convince senior
leadership and the old heads the importance of new technology and the training that goes
with it.
You would think that the Air Force being a government agency would have the funding
necessary for the project. However, most of the money is put towards operational areas
such as flying and aircraft maintenance. Training, unfortunately, is secondary and little
funding is allocated to training programs. So cost is a major factor. When putting our
network together in our classroom we had to use what we could find (computers, printers,
media, connectors, furniture etc.). We also have some surplus equipment and materials in
various locations throughout the base. 
PLANNING AND DESIGNING THE NETWORK LAYOUT
HARDWARE AND MEDIA
We were initially expected to install the entire network with excess equipment we could
find throughout the base. However, we convinced them to fund new personal computers. We
were able to purchased ten new Dell Dimension XPS T500 systems. These systems include a
500 MHz Pentium III processor, 8.0GB hard drive, 64 MB RAM, and a 10/100 Mbps Fast
Ethernet PCI Network card. Eight of these ten systems will be used as student
workstations and/or server, depending on the course objective; one will be used as the
instructor's computer and also act as a main file server, and the last PC will function
as an additional server for printing and other special training requirements. With a
large surplus of monitors on base we were able to obtain ten 15" monitors to use with
each system. We chose 15" monitors over the larger 17" size, due to the limited desk
space each student has. 
Two Cabletron MicroMMAC-24E 24 port hubs will be used to connect the eight workstations
(four per hub). The MicroMMAC-24E is an intelligent workgroup hub combining sophisticated
SNMP management with Ethernet repeater functionality and Cabletron's BRIM (Bridge/Router
Interface Module) technology. The MicroMMAC-24E conforms to the IEEE 802.3 Repeater,
802.1d Bridge and 10Base-T specifications. Each hub with four workstations connected in a
physical star topology will be independent from each other in a peer-to-peer environment
for that portion of the curriculum. A Cisco AGS+ modular router will then connect the two
peer-to-peer networks to the two Dell Computers acting as file and print servers in a
client-server environment. The AGS+ is a modular router chassis incorporating a nine-slot
Multibus backplane and a five-slot high-speed backplane called the CiscoBus. The
following figure shows the front and rear view of the chassis:
A Cisco AGS+ modular router
An HP 612 DeskJet Printer will be connected to the print server with an IEEE-1284
parallel cable. It will be used primarily for training purposes to show print
capability.
Media selection was made easy because we had several spools of CAT 5 UTP cable and RJ-45
connectors available to us. Because extreme speed is not of real importance and little or
no outside noise interference existing, this proved to be more than adequate. 
SOFTWARE
We selected Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 as our network operating system, which is the
standard throughout the base and the Air Force. Each computer arrived with a preinstalled
licensed version of Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Workstation and Office 2000 along with
back-up copies on CD-ROM. Additionally, we received the latest upgrade (Service Pack 6a),
which we requested from Microsoft. We had to make a purchase for Microsoft Windows NT
Server 4.0. The cost for 10 licensed copies totaled approximately $6,200. Other software
used includes Norton AntiVirus NT v5.0, Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0, and Netscape
Communicator 4.7. The base currently has a multi-user license for this additional
software and will be used primarily for training purposes. Each student will configure
each system with all the main software just like they would back in their work center.
The following chart shows the minimum and recommended system requirements for the
software installation:
Software Processor Hard Disk Space RAM
Minimum Recommend Minimum Recommend Minimum Recommend
NT Workstation 486 33 MHz Pentium II200 MHz 117 MB 1.2 GB 12 MB 16 MB
NT Server 486 33 MHz Pentium II200 MHz 120 MB 2.0 GB 16 MB 128 MB
Office 2000 Pentium75 MHz Pentium II200 MHz 250 MB 500 MB 8 MB 16 MB
Adobe Acrobat 48633 MHz Pentium75 MHz 75 MB 100 MB 24 MB 32 MB
NetscapeCommunicator 48633 MHz Pentium75 MHz 14 MB 100 MB 16 MB 32 MB
INSTALLING THE NETWORK
The course objective and curriculum dictates what type of network will be installed. The
cabling will be preinstalled within the classroom to the various locations where it will
be utilized. The course curriculum includes performance tasks for the students to connect
the cable to the various components located on the equipment rack and the individual
workstations.
MEDIA
There are several issues to consider before building the network. First, the length of
the cable from the hub to any component can be no longer than 100 meters (328 feet). If
the distance will exceed 100 meters, then the connection requires the installation of a
repeater or another hub. In our case, our network will be confined to a single room.
Therefore, distance will not be a factor. Second, be careful not to wrap the cables
around power cords, power supplies or fluorescent lights. All of these emit electrical
fields that can interfere with the transmission of data on the network. 
When we installed the cabling, tie straps were used to allow for the securing of cables
to avoid unwanted or unexpected disconnects. As we connected each cable, we labeled it at
both ends. This helps the network administrator in troubleshooting and isolating any
future problems. 
The CAT 5 UTP cabling will be run through the ceiling plenum and down the wall through 1"
conduit to a mounting box with an RJ-45 faceplate with connectors. The other end of the
media will be routed to a 19" equipment rack, which stands in the corner of the
classroom. The rack will contain a 24-port patch panel, 2 hubs, and the router.
FACILITY
Our facility consists of a main entrance hall with adjacent offices and classrooms. It
provides adequate space and functionality. The following figure gives the basic floor
plan:
Computer Training Center
The classroom is set up with eight small tables with chairs to accommodate eight student
workstations. The instructor has a podium style set-up, which facilitates the server and
monitor. To the instructor's right is a 37" NEC Multisync XM37 television set to be used
as the classroom display screen. The instructor's monitor and the viewing television are
connected using an Extron RGB 118 Computer-Video Interface. The RGB 118 is a universal
analog, ECL and TTL computer-video interface providing compatibility with any computer,
mainframe terminal or PC. This allows the instructor's display to be viewed by the
students. The equipment rack is located in the back left corner of the classroom along
with a small table for the second server and network printer. 
HARDWARE
The two hubs and router will be mounted on the equipment rack and will be positioned in a
manner to which the students will have access to all the ports to aid in training. The
wiring is routed through a 24-port patch panel which aids in troubleshooting.
TYPE OF NETWORKS
As mentioned earlier, the type of network will be determined by the course objective. The
first task for each student is to start with a completely formatted hard drive and
configure their system as a stand-alone system by using their boot disk and installing
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0. The naming convention for each computer will be
student01, student02, student03...etc. The instructor's computer will be named instruct01
and the print server will be named print01. This naming convention will aid in locating
the various devices within the network neighborhood. 
Eight Independent Stand-Alone Workstations
Another course objective will be for each half of the class to set-up a peer-to-peer
network through a hub. This will show the students the simplicity in setting up this type
of network, it's advantages for use in a small office, and how it allows for the sharing
of resources. This would not be a good choice, however, if security were of high
importance. The two peer-to-peer networks will be physically connected in a star topology
using the 24-port hub mentioned earlier. Each will be configured using the IEEE 802.3
Carrier-Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) standard and the TCP/IP
protocol. This is the standard, routable, enterprise-networking protocol used for Windows
NT and is also the standard throughout most of the base network. The following figure
shows a basic view of the two peer-to-peer networks:
Two Independent Peer-to-Peer Networks
After configuring the two independent peer-to-peer networks, we will then connect them
together to form a client-server environment. The Cisco AGS+ modular router mentioned
earlier will be used to route the two networks together. In doing this, we will also be
adding a file server and print server to provide the additional services which are
traditional with the Client-Server type of network. These services consists of file and
database storage, shared printing capabilities, better security features, and decreased
load off of each workstations allowing for increased performance. Microsoft Windows NT
Server 4.0 will be installed on the two servers. NT Server provides a service called the
dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP).
When a DHCP server is configured on the network, clients that support DHCP (including
Windows NT Workstation) can request TCP/IP configuration information from the DHCP
server. This includes information such as IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.
This can greatly aid in the configuration of TCP/IP on the client workstation.
Client-Server Network
CONFIGURATION 
If you have a DHCP server available, selecting the "Obtain an IP Address" option from a
DHCP server check box when installing TCP/IP can automatically configure TCP/IP. This
option can also be configured at a later time through the "Network" option, "Protocols",
"TCP/IP Properties" in Control Panel. After you select "Obtain an IP Address" from a DHCP
server, no further configuration of TCP/IP is necessary.
NETWORK MANAGEMENT
After the network is designed, installed, and configured, the on-going task of managing
the network is important. We currently have a team of 5 personnel available to monitor
performance, troubleshoot problems, perform regular back-ups, install upgrades, and
ensure security and proper documentation. 
Part of managing a network is monitoring the network to avoid problems, and when
necessary, troubleshoot problems when they do occur. Performing regular back-ups can
ensure current data is recoverable in the case of equipment failure or outages. Upgrading
the network can also be an issue as vendors are continuously upgrading their products and
introducing new ones. We have been well informed that the possibility of upgrading from
Windows NT to Windows 2000 could happen within the next 6 months. So adequate planning
and preparation will ensure a smooth migration to the new operating system. Lastly,
documentation is an essential task that will pay dividends when it comes to
troubleshooting problems and looking at any trends in network performance.
CONCLUSION
The Computer training Center will save the Air Force several dollars in training costs by
establishing a local training course versus commercial training off-base. To provide this
training, we are installing a network to simulate the realistic environment each student
will be exposed to. With cost being an important factor, we also have to ensure adequate
planning and preparation to stay within our budget. Also, there were also several other
factors to consider with ensuring an efficient and effective operational network. An
optimal performing and well maintained network would help us to reach our goal of
training and certifying the network professionals on the AFB.
Bibliography
REFERENCES:
Microsoft Press, Networking Essentials, 2nd Edition, Microsoft Corporation, 1997
Microsoft Press, NT Workstation Resource Kit, Microsoft Corporation, 1996
Cisco Systems, Inc.[1992-2000] "Cisco Connection Online" 
Available: http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/index.htm Contains Cisco
product Documentation.
Cabletron Systems, Inc. [1995-2000] "Cabletron Online Support Home Page"
Available: http://www.cabletron.com/support/relnotes/rn_a133.html Provides product
information and specifications.
Microsoft Corporation, [2000] "Product and Technology Catalog"
Available: http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/default.asp?subid=22 Provides information
including minimum/recommended system requirements for Microsoft Software Products.
Dell Computer Corporation, [2000] "Dell.com Federal Government"
Available: http://www.dell.com/us/en/fed/products/series_precn_workstations.htm Contains
information on Dell workstations purchasing under a federal government contract and
product specifications.