Performing a Literature Research and Network Simulation Model

Task 1: Modern Enterprise Network Technologies Literature Research

The tasks:

The objective is to perform a group literature research and individually build an OPNET simulation model based on the network architecture given and evaluate the behavior of network parameters gained by simulating the use cases. The design, implementation and simulation discussion imply the inclusion of graphs and justification of made decisions or the results gained through the simulation.

1. Perform a literature research on the technologies that are used in modern enterprise networks. These technologies are: Distributed Denial of Service Protection, Load Balancing and Cloud Virtualization. There are multiple providers of such services, some examples, Amazon AWS, CloudFlare and Akamai Technologies. Critically discuss these technologies in regard to scalability and transparency of communication, providing examples. Identify two or more commercial risks arising due to the failure of such cloud services. The discussion should be documented and should be approximately 700 words. The group should consist of two roles: risk assessor and upgrade engineer. The upgrade engineer has to review the technologies from a usefulness point of view, whilst risk assessor evaluates the potential threats.

2. Design, implement and simulate your model in the OPNET simulator guided by the given network architecture overview. The design requires detailed documentation on the application and performance settings in the OPNET simulator for each user and these settings justifications. Following the implementation, you are required to simulate your scenario for 20 minutes.

3. Investigate the behavior of the network performance in a variety of cases. The analysis must be done regarding your expectations. Discuss the scenario and hypothesize on the possible outcomes of provided use-cases followed by the analysis of the results that were received from the simulation.You must review the following:

2.1. Utilization of a T1 link.

2.2. Average FTP download response time

2.3. HTTP page response time.

2.4. Behavior of voice and video applications

2.5. Ethernet delay

2.6. Simulate the following use-case: The new call center office will communicate with Chicago and Sydney offices. It is planned that 10 users will communicate with the Sydney office and 5 users will communicate with the Chicago office. All offices will communicate via video conferencing application. Investigate the behavior of video conferencing application.

2.7. Evaluate the network performance in a use-case, where you would introduce at least one of the improvements that you have identified.

Questions

A. Demonstrate knowledge of network communication, OSI and TCP/IP model.

B. Demonstrate a critical understanding of top network model with related key protocols, services and applications.

C. Evaluate common network problems (malfunction, poor performance), adopt a systematic approach to trouble shooting and resolving the problem.

D. Be competent in the use of tools designed to analyse and simulate network functionality.