The Proposed Network Architecture of Entex Insurance Company - Case Study Example

The Proposed Network Architecture of Entex Insurance Company of Company: Entex Insurance Company This is a proposal for an ideal Network System Architecture for Entex Insurance Company. It includes the complete structure of the network design and components that make up the network. The proposal also points to the specifications of all the networking components used in the network and how they should be interconnected with each other. It also clearly outlines the networking principles and technologies used in the entire network. Table of Contents Introduction 3 The Proposed Network System Architecture 5 Description of the Proposed Network System Architecture 6 Specifications 7 Conclusion 11 Introduction The internet has come along with great developments in the way we share and transmit information from one location to the other. There are several improvements that have been realized in the world of networking that have made communication not only easier but also quicker and more efficient. These developments have revolutionized operations of different companies and made the world more or less like a global village. Network systems have significantly evolved with time. In the past, connection between different computers relied on unsecure and slow technologies which created data redundancy and thus lowering the integrity of the network. The security of the networks was also low and therefore there existed various instances of malpractices and internet crimes which affected effective communication within the networks. An efficient network system should be able to provide remote communication within the computers connected to it while maintaining a secure networking environment. With the rising cases of internet crimes, network structures should also contain the necessary security optimizing elements. Users of ideal systems should also be given relevant information access priorities and permissions. Entex Insurance is among the companies which depend on efficient communication to function properly. Being a company with headquarter located in Denver and other four branches located in the other 4 U.S states, transmission of information between the branches and headquarter need to be made efficient, secure and reliable. The network to be adopted should be able to contain up to 500 users without compromising on the quality of communication. This calls for a need to design a stable network that is able to perform the relevant communication task. The Proposed Network Architecture The proposed system architecture is designed as illustrated in the diagram below. Description of the Proposed Network Architecture The proposed design for the network system architecture provides a platform where information can easily be passed between different computers while providing a strict way to monitor and control the information being shared. Networking component are strategically placed at strategic points with ideal interconnection such that the headquarters are able to generate log files of the information requests by various branches directly from the server. The Central Storage functions as the central storage where all Entex information and files are kept. This is a secure storage where the company files are hosted and availed for assessment whenever necessary though can only be accessed after a preset security criteria is satisfied. It is directly connected to the server and feeds the server with relevant information when needed. The Server stores and avails information throughout the network. Information is accessed and backed into it by using a generic Switch. It is this switch that will control the way information is accessed to and from it from different levels of computers. The Firewall connected to the switch acts as a filter which filters information that reaches different branches. The headquarter has its set of 10 computers connected directly to the switch from the server so that information access from the branches can be controlled and monitored. There is a switch at each Entex branch. These are therefore 4 Switches in total. To avoid overloading a single switch, 4 different switches have also been availed at each branch with each serving 30 computers. This is to ensure that data integrity is upheld and no switch is overloaded which might cause system breakdown. Specifications Server Operating System: Linux The Server is designed to run on a Linux Operating System. Linux has a wide edge over other Operating Systems when it comes to server platform management. For a business or corporate like Entex Company, Linux is the best choice. There are many reasons why we choose Linux for the server. It is stable and will ensure reliable functionality of the server used. Unlike Windows, Linux does not need to be periodically rebooted in order to maintain optimal performance levels. It rarely freeze up, neither does it slow down because of a memory leak. Server systems running on Linux when correctly configured runs without fail until the server hardware fail or the system is forcibly stopped. Linux is also more secure than Windows. This is because Linux is an Operating System designed from UNIX and therefore fully supports Multi-User platforms with distinct security levels. It also gives the system administrator an ideal control over the access of the Network Server system. This Operating System has also been chosen for the server as it is flexible and provides root functionalities. Server File System: ZFS The file system to be used on the Linux server is the ZSeries File System. This Linux file system has great stability and security advantages that will be able to meet the corporate requirement of the Entex Company Server. It is mainly designed to focus on maintaining data integrity and therefore protects the stored company’s data against any form of damage. ZFS also has a wide range of functionalities that will help the server run smoothly and end up with high availability. For the branch computers, the operating system that is to be used is Windows. This is has been considered for a variety of reasons: many people are generally conversant with Windows and the Operating System provides an ideal user Interface for safe and easy user interaction with the computer. Windows has also been considered for its compatibility with several electronic components and computer accessories. Even though Linux has been considered on the server end, Windows is preferred on the User end. Server Processor: Quad Intel Xeon processor: E5-4600 series This processor supports quad-CPU configurations and is an ideal processor for a corporate company’s server. For a high performance server that will be able to support processes and data transfer within all the computers connected to the server, this is the recommended processor. It is a 64-bit based processor that supports various functionalities while maintaining optimal speeds which also upholds data integrity. This it does by preventing processing errors and delay speeds and system interlocks. Data Backup Data must be backed up and maintained in the network system. Hard drives of up to 10TB are to be installed for immediate backup of both confidential and public data. Encryption will then be used to protect the data and reduce vulnerability during transmission. In order to improve the security of the data and reliability of the backup system sed. Cloud data backup should be used. This implies that, there will be online data backup parallel to the hard drives used. This will ensure that the data can be remotely backed up and accessed. Redundant Array on Inexpensive Disks (RAID) is to be implemented whereas large a number of hard drives are linked to each other to form one large storage capacity. The reason for considering RAID is that it will help Entex Company Servers maintain storage stability, capacity and also reliability. Interconnectivity of Computers In order to enable data and information centralization, there is a need to build a central system where centralized data is stored for access by different user levels. This implies that instead of confining the branches computers to a LAN only, the whole network will be interconnected and all the computers in it connected to a central server. The only thing that is done to avoid unauthorized access of information and data is to have the system administrators define the firewall parameters. This will in turn control the type of information and data accessed from locations of the different company branches. The server will also be architect for higher availability. This company uses information to function normally. Information is stored in a central server and its access controlled by the administrators at the headquarters using network firewalls. Higher availability will help prevent network breakdowns and failures when performing critical functions and customer transactions. Server and Databases Architecture of Cluster-Based The architecture of the Server and Databases will be cluster-based. A cluster-based architecture offers great functionality benefits that will help boost the performance of Entex Networking. Such architecture allows connection together of multiple servers so as to provide high availability of the server and as well easy manageability of programs and data within the cluster. The clustering technology will provide: a) Increased availability b) Improved Scalability c) Improved manageability System Specifications for User Computers (At the Branches) Processor: Intel Core i3-3220 Memory: 2GB RAM Operating System: Windows Conclusion Reliable Network Systems provide effective communication between various computers on the same network. They also provide efficient resource sharing without compromising on data integrity and security. The proposed network system is well designed with appropriate equipment specifications that should be followed during the installation of the network for its optimal performance. Security and data integrity should be maintained at all times using appropriate networking protocols. The network should also be maintained efficiently to uphold its already high availability. Read More