Riordan Manufacturing

INDP, Part 1: Riordan Manufacturing

Network Characteristics and Components

Though the basic network configurations at each of Riordan's locations are the same, there are some differences in the overall type of components used. All of the plants except for Georgia and Michigan use Ethernet connections within the network. Georgia however, uses cat 5 cabling while Michigan uses cat 3 cable. Ethernet switches are used from the router in both the Georgia and Michigan plants while the China and California plants use 100 base T. The home office of California and the China plant both have Satellites with VOIP/Data Routers to communicate oversees. Both China and California both have Gateway/Switches while the other two plants do not.

Network Topology

A topology is a layout of the connected devices in a network; it is the structure type or shape (Mitchell, 2013). Currently all plant locations of Riordan's use the tree topology. A tree topology is a combination of a star topology and a bus topology. A star topology uses a central connection point such as a network hub, switch, or router (Mitchell, 2013). A bus topology uses a single common backbone to connect all devices (Mitchell, 2013). The use of the tree topology allows for the integration of multiple star topologies together onto a bus (Mitchell, 2013). This approach of a star/bus hybrid is used to support expandability of the network in the future (Mitchell, 2013). In each location, a router is used for internet connection, and channels back to either a hub or switch. The hubs and switches are connected to various devices that are specific to each location.

Project Standards

It is important for the scope of this project to meet and adhere to standards for ease of networking for all partners, customers, workers, and administrators who will be using the network (Cisco Systems, 2009). Standards will ensure the integrity of all connected resources, reduce repair times, enable accurate upgrades and installations, and streamline any ongoing administration and installations (Cisco Systems, 2009). The following standards will be applicable for this project:

* Network Connectivity- ensuring that Ethernet LAN speeds are from 10 Mb/s to 100Mb/s (Cisco Systems, 2009).

* IP Routing Protocol- ensuring that dynamic routing protocols are used to Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) (Cisco Systems, 2009).

* LAN Switching- link aggregation that allows the operator to group multiple Ethernet links to create one Ethernet link for bundled high-speed connections for routers, servers, and switches (Cisco Systems, 2009).

* IP Traffic Direction- Multiprotocol Label Switching mechanism that carries and directs data from a network node on to the next