Problem
The IT manager of an Elementary School is adding computers that have been donated by a local company. An extended star topology has been suggested, using some hubs that are available. The school agrees with the IT manager's idea of adding a switch working as a backbone switch, as shown in the figure below. The plan is to replace the classroom hubs as the budget allows.
For now, the very basic details are as follows: The Elementary School is a four-year-old, single-level building with 12 classrooms and a library. Each classroom currently has 24 students but could possibly seat 32 students. There are currently no portable classrooms, but a student enrollment growth is just starting to hit the school.
Enough computers are available for six classrooms and the library immediately, and the intent is to outfit the remaining six classrooms next year. The plan is to make the Internet and some online services available to the students. The computers are current enough to be useful for at least two years.
The library, which is somewhat centrally located, is where the server(s) and router connecting the school to the Internet will be located. Assume that all rooms will have 24 computers and that each room will use a stackable hub solution that combines a 12-port hub and a 24-port hub for 36 total ports. Being stackable units, the network will see each stack as a single 36-port device.
A. What type of network media is most appropriate for this situation?
B. How many IP addresses does the school need immediately? How many might the school eventually need for the initial seven rooms? How many could it need if it gets enough computers for the entire school?.
C. What class(es) of IP address do they need now and in the future?
D. The school district informs the group that it can afford 2 public IP addresses for the Internet access. Is this a problem if the school wants all the computers to access the Internet? Explain why or why not.
E. Research current prices of routers, cable, and switches, focus on Cisco, 3Com, Novell, D-Link, and Linksys.
F. Consider what happens if equipment goes down. Describe what could happen, and what should be done in each case, including how equipment is to be replaced, what is required to replace it (including configuration), and whether additional equipment could be kept on hand (and why).
G. Each device must be explained and supported. Use sources (citation and reference) to support factual statements and provide evidence of the analysis and decisions.