WAN Architecture Overview - Case Study Example

WAN Architecture Overview Introduction In the current speedy advancing technological world, adoption of a quality Wide Area Network has become a crucial subject particularly in promoting business success. Company Chief Executive Officers (C.E.Os), Chief Information Officers (C.I.Os) and other business stakeholders all around the globe are fighting tooth and nail to adopt a networking technology that will facilitate optimal achievement of business goals (DiMarzio, 2001). One the key features in promoting business competitiveness is the adoption of Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity. On this regard, this proposal aims at coming with up a clear description of the different types WAN connections that can be integrated into an organization (DiMarzio, 2001). The term WAN (Wide Area Network) refers to a large-scale internet connection that exists over a huge geographical terrain and typically connects two or more Local Area Networks. It is usually made up of a significant number of interconnected devices such as hubs, multiport switches, routers and satellite dishes (DiMarzio, 2001). It is essential to clarify that there are two basic types of WAN communication architectures. These are the dedicated or leased connection and the switched network connection (Karris, 2009). The need for the WAN architecture technologies One of the key needs of the WAN architecture to an organization is to provide faster access to files. Most organizations face the challenge of having to reload files. This is usually experienced in slow network connection situations (Meyers, 2004). Consequently, this affects the ability of the organization to succeed in meeting its set out business goals. However, with the WAN it becomes easier to enjoy speedy access to organizational data (DiMarzio, 2001). The WAN architecture is also of great need particularly in effective management of remote organization offices. That is, the WAN provides an efficient platform for managing and sharing of data between multiple office locations. To be precise, adoption of WAN solutions maximize the organizational network speed between remote business offices and accelerates file transfer (Karris, 2009). Another indispensable need of the WAN architecture is the ability to reach the global customer base. With an all-time internet access, it facilitates maximal access to the targeted global customer group. That is, it makes it easy to reach a wide customer set of customers, which is crucial in promoting business continuity. It thus plays a huge in increasing profits and meeting the set out business goals (DiMarzio, 2001). Communication is always a crucial need for effective business operations. In this sense, adoption of the WAN architecture technology acts a key need specifically in improving optimal performance of key business applications. These include applications such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and e-mail applications, which provide a reliable platform for effective communication with other remote offices (Meyers, 2004). Lastly but certainly not the least, the need for the WAN architecture in an organization is in provision of a more reliable and fast data recovery platform. In essence, almost all organizations usually undergo the challenge of unexpected data loss (Bouraad, 2010). This is due to reasons crashed servers, crashed information systems or even accidental deletion of crucial business files. Thus, the data recovery platform is very critical particularly in enabling users to regain rapid access to organization data (DiMarzio, 2001). WAN design As aforementioned earlier the WAN is commonly made up of two main connection types, which are dedicated and switched connection. In the dedicated connection, the network connectivity cable is leased to a client (organization) instead of only part of the cable bandwidth. Additionally, for the dedicated connection the user always enjoys or has exclusive use privileges. The following diagram provides a sample dedicate WAN connection with four LANs. Contrastingly, for the switched WAN network connection, several users have to share the same network line. The switched WAN connection type is further divided are circuit switched and packet switched network (Bouraad, 2010). Circuit switched network entails a temporary connection between two points. On the other hand, packet switched refers to a connection between multiple points. Here, data is usually broken down into small packets, which are later transmitted across the network (DiMarzio, 2001). The diagram below depicts a graphical description of a switched WAN connection. WAN architecture design goals The WAN provides a quality set of goals, which add great value to the achievement of organizational objectives. These are as stipulated below. The top goal of the WAN architecture design is to provide a well-organized framework for opening global business opportunities. That is, it allows for global internet connectivity, which is necessary for ascertaining that customers all around the globe can access a company’s products and services (DiMarzio, 2001). Upon opening an organization to the global customer base, the WAN architecture design focuses on ascertaining that, it facilitates efficient implementation of electronic commerce. In essence, a key factor in promoting global competitiveness is the ability to perform business transactions online (Karris, 2009). The WAN technology hereby provides a platform where users can buy products online, perform online payments, and perform online tracking of the shipping progress of their respective products (DiMarzio, 2001). The third WAN architecture design goal is to provide an efficient communication platform. This is essential in provision of an efficient platform for the management of remote organizational offices. That is, the WAN design architecture interconnects a number of Local Area Networks (LANs), which connect to different remote offices of a business (Meyers, 2004). The WAN architecture design is also aimed at provision of a mechanism that is vital in providing a quality data recovery platform. The WAN technology allows for data to be stored in virtual hard drives over the internet. This feature is very important in ensuring that, in case of any disaster then data can easily be recovered (DiMarzio, 2001). Lastly, the WAN architecture design usually focuses on three elements that are always very important to guaranteeing business success. These elements are (C.I.A) confidentiality, integrity and availability of data and other networking services (Bouraad, 2010). These elements guarantee security of the business data as well as all time access to business services. Thus, the availability of the three elements in an organization creates a quality platform for business continuity, which is very important in meeting all the set out organization goals (Karris, 2009). WAN optimization WAN optimization entails the technologies that provide maximal efficiency in the flow of data over the Wide Area Network (WAN). The goal of WAN optimization is to apply significant technologies necessary for accelerating its performance. Some of the techniques that can be applied include the following. Compression, which entails shrinking organization data to limit the size of the bandwidth put into use (DiMarzio, 2001). Secondly, protocol spoofing, which is a method where chatty messages are bundled into a single protocol. Data deduplication is the third technique. It entails reducing the data that has to be sent across a wide area network. This is to provide room for faster transmission, remote backups and disaster recovery (Meyers, 2004). Another optimization technique is traffic shaping, which involves prioritization of data and allotment of bandwidth (Bouraad, 2010). Data caching is also a great WAN optimization technique. In this technique, the frequently accessed data is always hosted locally to facilitate easy access (DiMarzio, 2001). Therefore, with the optimization capabilities, it makes WAN technology the best platform for the success of an organization in meeting its set out business goals (Meyers, 2004). IP multicast It is important to make it clear that a key advantage of the WAN technologies is that it allows for I.P multicast. With the IP Multicast technology, a single IP address is allowed to communicate to a wide number of IP addresses within a particular subnet. In other words, it allows for one device (user) to send a message to many other devices (users). Therefore, I.P multicast allows a company CEO or CIO to broadcast different business data to a wide number of selected users (DiMarzio, 2001). Quality of Service (QoS) Quality of service is a very crucial feature in the WAN. It entails a platform that allows for data to be grouped based on its priority. That is, it acts as unique optimization platform for the WAN. Therefore, with the Quality of Service, Chief Executive Officers and Chief Information Officers enjoy a quality platform for setting data priority levels for fast transmission and efficient operation of the Wide Area Network (DiMarzio, 2001). WAN deployment The deployment of the WAN involves a close follow up of the following procedures. Firstly, a design of the targeted network should be put in place (Meyers, 2004). The design should provide a comprehensive description of all the networking devices and the targeted deployment zone. Upon gathering of the necessary devices the network configuration team has to come up with a clear justification on the feasibility of the network zone. That is, the team has to verify that the selected network installation zone can accommodate the specified devices. Upon verification, the networking devices have to be put in place, interconnected and tested to verify that there has been a successful deployment process (DiMarzio, 2001). REQUEST TO BE YOUR PERSONAL WRITER Hey friend, Am an experienced writer with great knowledge of your area of specialization. Since am the one doing the writing and yet you pay a lot to the company, I was suggesting that we strike a deal. Send me all your next assignments through my personal mail abd.nganje@gmailcom and will work on them at a price that suits both of us. NOTE: Please do not talk about this on the company website as am not allowed to give my personal contact Conclusion It is crucial to note that, currently, the success of any organization depends hugely on its ability to reach the largest number of customers. To achieve this goal, the adoption of the WAN technology stands out as the main way forward. The adoption of WAN offers a wide set of operational benefits. These include faster access to files, connectivity to a global customer base, efficient communication platform for mails and Voice over internet Protocol (VoIP), high data security, and an efficient data recovery platform. It is hereby essential that company C.E.Os and C.I.Os put the need for WAN implementation into close consideration. This is to aid ensuring that there is a quality platform for the achievement of the set out business goals. References Bouraad, F. (2010). IT project portfolio governance: the emerging operation manager. Project management journal, 41( 5), 74-86. Retrieved from http://marketplace.pmi.org/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?GMProduct=00101277600&iss=1 DiMarzio, J. F. (2001). Network architecture and design: A field guide for IT consultants. Indianapolis: Sams. Karris, S. (2009). Networks: Design and management. Fremont, Calif: Orchard Publications. Meyers, M. (2004). Mike Meyers Network+ guide to managing and troubleshooting networks. Boston: McGraw-Hill Technology Education. Retrieved from http://www.miketwigg.com/CanWeWin.pdf Read More