Southeastern State University
Southeastern State University (SSU) has been experiencing unprecedented growth in all
its information technology–related majors (computer engineering, computer science, and
business information systems). In order to respond to the increased number of majors in
these disciplines, SSU is adding a wing to one of its classroom buildings. The layout for
the first floor of the building is illustrated in Figure 8-26. Your job is to illustrate a wiring
scheme for interconnecting two LAN segments and to estimate the costs associated with
implementing a Fast Ethernet LAN. You are also required to develop cost estimates for
two LAN servers, a tape backup system, network operating system and application
software licenses, and optional equipment, including LAN switches and a network
management console. Finally, you are asked to provide estimates for implementing a
wireless LAN instead of (or in addition to) a cable-based LAN.
Figure 8-26 Layout of First Floor of Building
General Information: The microcomputers in Labs A and C have Pentium IV 1.4-Ghz
processors. The machines in Lab B have Pentium IV 1.8-GHz processors. The machines
in the offices are Pentium IV 2.4-GHz processors. All microcomputers have open PCI
slots on their expansion boards. The university has a fiber optic backbone interconnecting
its buildings; TCP/IP is the protocol on the backbone. The campus is connected to the
Internet via a T-3 line.
Segment 1: Labs and Classrooms
This segment will be a 100BaseT LAN that includes all the machines in Labs A, B, and C
and the three classrooms located across the hall from the labs. This segment will also
include a file server to provide shared computing resources (primarily application files) to
the workstations in the labs and classrooms. A print server will also be included in this
segment to support a high-speed laser printer in each lab.
Wiring Options
Two wiring options are being considered for this segment: UTP Category 5 or Category 5
Enhanced (5e) is one wiring option and multimode fiber optic cabling is the other.
Cabling interfaces on the NICs for the machines in this segment will be dependent on the
selected medium. If Category 5 or 5e is selected, a UTP interface will be needed. If fiber
optic cabling is selected, an ST or SC interface will be needed.
Segment 2: Faculty/Administrative Offices
This segment will be a 100BaseFX LAN using multimode fiber optic cable. This segment
will also include a file server and a Web server.
Connection to Campus Backbone
Both LAN segments will be connected to each other and to the campus backbone via a
router. In order to protect the LANs from unauthorized intruders, the router will include
firewall software.
Hardware Cost Estimates
Component
Quantity
Needed
NICs
Hub
Cabling
Additional Costs
Cost per
Unit
Total Cost Cumulative Cost Vendor(s)
A. Two file servers are needed for this floor of the building, one per LAN segment. The
minimum configuration for each is as follows:
Processor:
Memory:
Video:
Power supply:
Hard drive:
Controller:
RAID:
Floppy drive:
CD-ROM:
Management:
Intel Pentium III Xeon with 550 MHz and 512 K ECC Cache
ECC Memory System with 256 MB of EDO DRAM expandable
Integrated 32-bit PCI Graphics with 2 MB DRAM
Dual 400-Watt Hot Pluggable power supply subsystem expandable
to 3
9 GB SCA Ultra2 SCSI with 7,200 RPM drive
Integrated dual channel PCI Fast/Wide Ultra 2 SCSI controller and
integrated single channel narrow SCSI controller card
Level 5
3.5" 1.44-MB diskette drive
40X IDE CD-ROM
HP OpenView ManageX Event Manager and ISC
Cost per server: $___________
B. Windows 2000 license (for maximum number of potential concurrent users)
$____________
C. An Office 2000 license (for maximum number of potential concurrent users) $
___________
D. A tape backup system(s) $__________. You must also recommend a configuration(s)
and vendor(s):
The costs associated with each of these additional network costs may be summarized in a
table.
Network Costs
LAN Segment 1 Hardware Costs: $ __________ (This should be the sum of costs for
NICs, cabling, and hubs. Note: Because there are two cabling options for this segment,
there should be two separate totals calculated for this segment.)
LAN Segment 2 Hardware Costs: $ __________ (This should be the sum of costs for
NICs, cabling, and hubs.)
Total Network Costs: $ _________ (This will be the sum of LAN Segment 1 Hardware,
LAN Segment 2 Hardware, and additional costs A, B, C, and D. Note: Because there are
two options for LAN Segment 1, you should have two separate total network cost
estimates.)
Other Cost Considerations
The administration of Southeastern State University would like you to identify how each
of the following would affect total network costs:
1. Substituting (SNMP) manageable hubs for shared media hubs in both segments.
2. Substituting LAN switches for the shared media hubs in both segments.
3. Adding a dedicated network management workstation (console) with HP Open View.
(Note: You must identify the costs for both an appropriately configured workstation
and the software.)
4. Doing both segments as an IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN. (Note: Total costs for
access points, wireless adapters, and access point cabling must be considered for this
option. The following table can be used to summarize the costs associated with this
alternative.)
Component
Wireless
Adapters
Access
Points
Cabling to
Interconnec
t Access
Points
Quantity
Needed
Cost per
Unit
Total Cost Cumulative Cost Vendor(s)