Company X Implementation Plan: Network Architecture & Analysis

Company X Implementation Plan Luciano Rosario Colorado Technical University IT640: Networking and Telecommunications Dr. Stephan Reynolds February 11, 2024

Implementation Plan 1 Table of Contents Network Architecture Assessment (Week 1 IP) ............................................................................... 3 Organization Overview ................................................................................................................ 3 Objectives and Goals ................................................................................................................... 4 Network Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 6 Network Solutions ....................................................................................................................... 6 Network Reference Model Comparison (Week 2 IP) ...................................................................... 8 Current Network Reference Model ............................................................................................. 8 OSI Reference Model .............................................................................................................. 8 TCP/IP Reference Model ......................................................................................................... 8 Current Reference Network Diagram ...................................................................................... 9 Revised Network Reference Model ............................................................................................. 9 Current Data Flow Model .......................................................................................................... 10 Revised Data Flow Model ......................................................................................................... 12 Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Network Design Diagram (Week 3 IP) .......................................................................................... 15 TBD ........................................................................................................................................... 15 Telecommunications Plan (Week 4 IP) .......................................................................................... 16 TBD ........................................................................................................................................... 16 Remote Network Implementation Plan (Week 5 IP) ..................................................................... 17 TBD ........................................................................................................................................... 17 References ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Table 1 Critical Success Factors ...................................................................................................... 4 Table 2 Qualitive/Quantitative Variables ......................................................................................... 5

Implementation Plan 2 Network Architecture Assessment (Week 1 IP) Organization Overview Company X is a retail store that prides itself on customer service and quality products. Their products include subwoofers, tweeters, mid ranges, mid bass, custom enclosures and more. They provide services that range from oil change, tire replacement, break services to custom audio systems. The company loves serving the community by doing a free install a year for local veterans that are disabled due to combat. The company also sponsors local audio shows to continue their involvement with the local community. The organization consists of the CEO (chief executive officer), CFO (chief financial officer), CIO (chief information officer), ten (10) install technicians, five (5) sales representatives, three (3) IT staff, two (2) HR personnel, and ten (10) warehouse personnel. The new owner, Michael, is concerned for the company’s future. Due to the outdated network infrastructure, the company has seen a steady decline in their customer base. Not only is the network a concern for the new owner but the outdated private branch exchange (PBX) services are creating a deficit in profits. After interviewing employees and customers alike, it was determined that the latency with the networks affects the sales representative’s ability to create invoices for customers in a timely manner. Another concern that was raised was the ability to allow sale representatives to access the company network remotely, this will allow them to create invoices from customer site locations rather than waiting for them to return to the office. Furthermore, the new owner would like to increase the customer base by 10% annually and increase the orders by 5% monthly.

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Implementation Plan 3 Objectives and Goals Company X’s mission statement is to provide the community with quality products and service while maintaining a great relationship through charity and volunteering. The current goals for the organization are as follows: a. Increase customer base by 10% annually b. Increase orders by 5% monthly c. Transition from PBX to VOIP (voice over IP) d. Add VPN solution e. Modernize the currant network architecture Each of the goals are aligned with critical success factors. These factors are activities performed to meet business or project goals that have been stated (Eby, 2023). To derive critical success factors our organization will need to align the project objectives with our corporate strategy, gain stakeholder consensus, hone in on essentials, identify risks, and lastly set metrics (Eby, 2023). The breakdown of these critical success factors is shown in the table below: Goal Critical Success Factors Increase customer base by 10% annually Increase customer awareness through website and marketing Increase orders by 5% monthly Increase sales to recurring customer and attract new customers. Transition from PBX to VOIP Transition from PBX system to the new Cisco Call Manager solution Add VPN solution Add and configure VPN solution to the network Modernize the currant network architecture Phase out end of life (EOL) equipment. Restructure network architecture design. Implement high throughput fiber optics. Table 1 Critical Success Factors

Implementation Plan 4 We need to also assess the variables associated to the success of the project. These variables are known as qualitive and quantitative. Qualitive variables are known as categorical variables. Their essence lies within representing distinct categories or classes rather than indicating a measurable quantity (Easily, 2023). Quantitative variables are known to be numerical variables, they represent quantities. They are used to provide measurable information thus allowing for a more rigorous and precise evaluation (Easily, 2023). The following table outlines these variables, which goals they align to, and their respective sources: Goal Measure Indicator (Qualitive/Quantitative) Source Increase customer base by 10% annually Change in baseline count of customers at annual audits (Quantitative) Customer satisfaction (Qualitative) Customer database Customer satisfaction survey Increase orders by 5% monthly Change in baseline sales revenue during monthly audits (Quantitative) Orders database Transition from PBX to VOIP New VOIP system is functioning (Quantitative) Network monitor/syslog Test data Add VPN solution New VPN system is functioning (Quantitative) Network monitor/syslog Test data Modernize the currant network architecture Equipment has been replaced (Quantitative) Network is operational (Quantitative) Network traffic baseline compared to upgraded equipment (Qualitative) Network monitor/syslog Test data Table 2 Qualitive/Quantitative Variables

Implementation Plan 5 Network Analysis The current network is archaic and requires a tech refresh. The current systems utilize hubs to communicate with the servers and other network devices. Current bandwidth does not allow employees to perform their jobs properly through the hub devices. Furthermore, the network is not supporting business needs because of increased customer demands. It has been mentioned that employees had to call customers back regarding their questions due to the latency in the network. The in-house IT team currently does not have a background in networking which is only hurting the business as they continue to use manual work arounds for the network issues. Network Solutions For the business to continue growing, change is inevitable. Upgrading the servers to models that support fiber optic connections will not only decrease the time it takes for employees to access these resources but improve the amount of time it will take customers to access the new website. Adding the VOIP solution will reduce the overhead cost of PBX and allow for roaming profiles to be set up on laptops allowing employees to connect to their company number and voicemail system from anywhere. To further support the roaming efforts, a VPN solution will allow sales representatives to connect back into the company local area network (LAN) from anywhere to include customer sites. This will allow the representatives to take immediate action when creating new invoices with potential new customers. The web server that is being implemented will have a customer facing side and an employee facing side. This will allow employees to access the company’s website that will house policies, training, timecard system, etc.; while customers can see the products and services we offer and the customer service center. Upgrading the connections between the different tiers of the new architecture will help reduce

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Implementation Plan 6 latency. Implementing a three-tier network improves performance, management, redundancy, and scalability. It also allows us to shape traffic through the use of QOS (quality of service) policies. The network architecture portion of this project is critical. By completing this portion, we will enable the organization to meet most if not all the goals we have outlined. The upgraded architecture will be the foundation for not only allowing sales representatives to perform their job faster, but from any location that has access to the internet. This in turn will increase our customer base, which increases our sales revenues.

Implementation Plan 7 Network Reference Model Comparison (Week 2 IP) Current Network Reference Model OSI Reference Model One conceptual framework to network communications is known as Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. This framework divides network communication functions into seven layers. OSI is known for its ability to provide a universal language for computer networking, this is important due to the various hardware and software technologies that these systems are configured with ( What Is the OSI Model? - 7 OSI Layers Explained - AWS , n.d.). Each layer has their own specific technologies that provide a certain capability and perform specific functions ( What Is the OSI Model? - 7 OSI Layers Explained - AWS , n.d.). The seven layers of the OSI model are physical, data link, network, transport, session, presentation, and application. TCP/IP Reference Model Before the OSI model is the TCP/IP model, this model was developed in the 1960s by the Department of Defense (DoD) (GfG, 2023). TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Unlike the OSI model, this model only has four layers. The TCP/IP models’ main goal is to transfer data from one device to another through reliable packet delivery. TCP/IP only supports connection-oriented communication in which the OSI supports both

Implementation Plan 8 connectionless and connection-oriented. The four layers that compose the TCP/IP model are Network Access, Internet, Transport, and Application. Current Reference Network Diagram Revised Network Reference Model Company X’s solution to the current network issues is to utilize the proposed network upgrades outlined previously. The approach will incorporate the use of the VPN concentrator,

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Implementation Plan 9 VOIP desktop system, and the upgraded network equipment. This solution will get rid of the outdated hubs currently used to connect all the end devices to the network. Current Data Flow Model The current data flow for a customer making a purchase order is simple. Customers come into the store to browse products. The next step is for the customer to place an order with one of the sales representatives. The sales representative inputs the data into the order to verify if items are in-stock or need to be ordered. If the item is in stock, the order is sent to the warehouse team to gather the items and prepare them for shipping. If the item is not in-stock, the warehouse team places an order with the suppliers to get the item to the warehouse. After the warehouse team

Implementation Plan 10 accomplishes their tasks, the shipping department takes over the process. They will inventory, process, and pack the product(s). Once complete, they ship the item(s) to the customer.

Implementation Plan 11

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Implementation Plan 12 Revised Data Flow Model The main improvement is the addition of a company website. This website will allow customers to bypass the need for a sales representative for ordering products without completely cutting the representatives out. The goal is to shift their focus from current customers to reaching out and bringing in new customers to meet the 10% annual customer base increase and 5% monthly order increase.

Implementation Plan 13

Implementation Plan 14 Analysis The main improvements to this portion of the project incorporate how the data flow will change with the addition of a website, and the additional resources to the reference model. This will meet the goal of increasing the annual customer base by 10% and increasing order sales monthly by 5% by giving customers a way to purchase without requiring a sale representative. Furthermore, it outlines what layers the new equipment and architecture we operate at, the removal of the hubs will allow for faster processing via switches. The PBX system will be replaced by layer 7 VoIP software allowing employees to access their phones via any computer they utilize.

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Implementation Plan 15 Network Design Diagram (Week 3 IP) TBD

Implementation Plan 16 Telecommunications Plan (Week 4 IP) TBD

Implementation Plan 17 Remote Network Implementation Plan (Week 5 IP) TBD

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Implementation Plan 18 References Easily, L. S. (2023, June 12). What makes a variable qualitative or quantitative? LEARN STATISTICS EASILY. https://statisticseasily.com/quantitative-vs-qualitative/ Eby, K. (2023, February 14). Tips and Tools for Focusing Project Management Efforts with Critical Success Factors. Smartsheet . https://www.smartsheet.com/content/project- success-factors

LucianoRosario_IT640_IP2

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