Module 3 – Case
Networking and the Internet

Communication networks today are not luxuries but essential in the information age. Following on the previous module on hardware we will now talk about the communication between computers, that is computer networks, configuration, and components.

Case assignment

For this assignment, please review the following required readings plus any other material you find interesting. Also, make sure you follow the course guidelines to complete your assignment and cite your resources.

Home Network, Wireless Network and Computer Networking Made Easy. Retrieved from http://www.home-network-help.com/

CISCO (2010). Internetworking Technology Handbook. Retrieved from http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Internetworking_Technology_Handbook

How WiFi Works. Retrieved from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm

Mitchell, B. Network Topologies. Retrieved from http://compnetworking.about.com/od/networkdesign/a/topologies.htm

These other websites could also be useful for this topic:

http://www.business.com/directory/computers_and_software/networking/networking_hardware/local_area_network_lan/

Protocols according to layers (TCP/IP references page)

http://www.protocols.com/pbook/tcpip1.htm

When you have finished with your readings and thought about our topic, please prepare a 3-4 page paper (without counting the cover page and the references), addressing the following case:

Given the following small chocolate company with this distribution and the possibility to expand:

Department
# of computers

Management
4

Accounting
3

Marketing
3

Sales
15

Describe the characteristics of a network that you would recommend. Explain the reasons for your recommendation.

Below are some topics for you to think about and help you get started:

Provide a short definition of the main network components (at least network topologies, the OSI model, network cables, protocols, IEEE 802 Standards, hub, switches, routers, and others you consider to be necessary)
Describe the latest or most frequently used characteristics of these components
Note that you can combine physical and wireless components and that the company needs Internet access
Justify your selections
Case assignment expectations

Use information from the modular background readings as well as any good quality resource you can find. Please cite all sources and provide a reference list at the end of your paper.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

1. Your ability to consolidate ideas from reading materials
2. Some in-text references to modular background readings

When your paper is done, please submit it to coursenet.