Kudler Fine Foods Network

INDP, Part 1

While carefully reviewing the current design of the Kudler Fine Foods network, I noticed that they are using an Ethernet Bus Network. This type of network allows the client to connect through a bus, which is a shared communications line. All three locations use the same structure. They each use a 56k modem, UPS, Novell 4.11 servers, and workstations that are all connected through a single Ethernet backbone. The problem with this type of network is that there are many things that can go wrong. If the Ethernet backbone doesn't work for any reason, everything that is connected to it is affected.

In order to communicate with the other sites, Kudler depends on a single Novell server and a 56k modem in each store. If one of the servers goes out, the network will cease to be able to communicate within its own network. Also, if one of the modems happens to fail, the failing site will no longer be able to communicate data with the other locations. Of course there are devices that are used to back up the modem in the event of a failure, but up to this point Kudler have not implemented this procedure.

The network protocols in Kudler Fine Foods are based on Novell Netware. Each location's server enables the network wirelessly access databases, files, emails, and printers. Procedure calls are used by the Netware client/server architecture to support remote access. To begin a remote procedure call, the local computer sends a procedure call to the remote server. The remote server then executes the call then returns the information to the local computer.

In the Novell Network suite, there are four major protocols. The Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX), Sequenced Packet Exchange (SPX), Network Core Protocol (NCP), and Network Basic Input/Output System (NetBIOS). These protocols are vital in the levels of the OSI models. These protocols route information to destinations; creates reliable transmissions; and provides printer access, security, file synchronization, security, file access and name management.

System response time is very vital in today's businesses. It is the interval from when a request is entered and when it is received back from a remote networked node. Many of the nodes on the network are Pentium II with Windows 98 OS. So the 56k modem impacts the system response time severely. At that speed, the response time for the network's nodes will be pretty lengthy. The processing powers of those systems are a huge limitation to the network.

In conclusion, the network that is currently in place in the company is not sufficient enough to sustain the growth that they are experiencing. The efficiency is lacking at this time. Once the reconstruction of the network reaches its final stages, this company will have the power efficiently handle its "front office" needs.

References

Goleniewski,