COMP247 Data Communications 

Assignment 2, 2014: Network Technologies 

Objectives 

These are the areas that will be tested: 

 Wireless network technologies 

 Wide Area networking technologies 

 Internet Access Technologies 

Backbone Technologies 

Note 

 All assumptions must be stated clearly in your answers. 

 The explanations you provide do not have to be long, concise is preferred to wandering. They do need to present your case clearly. 

Questions 

1. Wireless Networks [10 marks] 

Consider a warehouse that is 60m by 30m. Wireless networking is required so that up to 20 staff members working in the warehouse can track stock movements and perform stock checks using mobile devices. 

(b) [3 marks] Which WiFi flavour (a, b, g, n, ac, ad, or other) would you recommend for this new installation? Discuss the options and justify your choice. [Up to 200 words] 

(c) [3 marks]Would you recommend security for this network, and if so, what type of security? Discuss the options and justify your choice. [Up to 200 words]

2. Backbone Networks [10 marks] 

A backbone network can be constructed as a switched backbone, a routed backbone or a VLAN backbone. Each of these approaches has its advantages and disadvantages. 

(a) [6 marks] Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. [Up to 400 words] 

(b) [2 marks]Describe an example of a situation where a switched backbone would be preferred. [Up to 150 words] 

3. WANs [10 marks] 

Now! Electronics has four stores in the Sydney region (Hornsby, Penrith, Campbelltown, City) connected in a star topology by leased T-1 lines to its head office in North Ryde. 

(a) [2 marks] Sketch the existing WAN, showing the stores, head office and the leased lines. 

(c) [2 marks]Describe an example of a situation where a VLAN backbone would be preferred. [Up to 150 words] 

(b) [1 mark] What is the maximum data capacity for traffic between Hornsby and North Ryde? What is the maximum data capacity for traffic between Hornsby and the City store? [Short answer]

(c) [3 marks]A new stock management server is to be installed to track stock in all four stores – all sales will be reported to this server as they happen. Some members of the development team want to install this new server in head office, while others want to install it in the city store because that store has 40% of the total sales. Which option do you prefer and why? [Up to 200 words] 

(d) [4 marks] Now! is planning an aggressive expansion strategy with offices and stores in each Australian state. Compare the merits of expanding the existing T-1 based WAN with moving to a new MPLS-based WAN. [Up to 200 words]