Network Applications

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The devices that they use it for every single network are switches, modems, routers, server. In the HQ building, all the workstations are connected to the switch in every two floor and all the switches will connect to the main switch which is located in level 2. As for all the branches building, the current network is all the workstations in every floor will straight connected to the main switch in level 2.

The UDLM is having a problem that their frequency of server’s breakdown is very high and this problem have affected the Quality of Services (QoS) in the online delivery, teaching and e-learning website.

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This figure shows the current network of HQ.

[pic 2]This figure show the current network of branches

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Performance Analysis

This is a follow-up to other monitoring and tuning efforts that are specific to the network. This calculates Network downtime, analyses fault, availability and network performance issues. These are the goals we hope to achieve after network optimisation:

Reduce network downtime

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Slow networks and downtime can be caused by a variety of different issues and without the right network performance analysis tools it can be impossible to find the cause. The new software recommended network optimisation tool that continuously monitors the fault, availability, and performance of network devices and aids in network troubleshooting when problems arise. With intelligent alerting, Network Performance Monitor lets you know when key performance metrics cross your pre-defined thresholds so you are the first to know when the network is having problems.

Quick Resolution of Network connectivity Issues

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Intermittent connectivity can cause serious network troubleshooting headaches. One minute the problem is there, the next it isn't. Our proposed Network Performance Monitor is a network performance analyser that tracks and displays current and historical performance metrics in customisable dashboards and charts. Whether the problem is caused by flapping routes, interface downtime, or hardware health, Network Performance Monitor can help you quickly find network issues.

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Time-to-Resolution Acceleration

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When users can't access their applications or the network, the finger pointing begins. It's the network. No, it's the app. Being able to determine which will greatly accelerate time-to-resolution and help you pinpoint the root cause. Our proposed Network Performance Monitor uses packet analysis to help you determine if it is the application or the network that is causing poor user experience and accelerate time-to-resolution.

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Before

Network Optimization

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After Network Optimization

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Feasibility Study

As UDLM is facing the high server breakdown which affect the QoS in the online delivery, teaching and content support, we have done a technical feasibility study on UDLM and we considered it technically and operationally feasible as it has all the necessary infrastructure and capital to develop, install, operate and maintain the proposed system. We have suggested solutions to solve the problem by increasing the internet speed, changing to higher capacity switch, get a backup ISP, install network monitoring software and update current hardware and bandwidth in order to let the users able to access the system 24 hours per 7 days at anywhere. With these good reliability and support of new implementation, all the students and staffs in UDLM get a higher speed when accessing the system and able upload tasks or assignments faster and on time. With the 50MBps backup ISP, students and staffs are still able to access into the system even though there is network downtime occur in the main 200MBps and 100MBps ISP.

As for financial feasibility, UDLM has a budget of 1.5M USD for us to fix the network problem that occurs in the headquarter and all the branches of UDLM. After a rough cost calculation for the equipment according to the solutions suggested to fix the problem, there is a total costing of RM299820.08 which will not more than the budget 1.5M USD and hence, it is a financially feasible solutions suggested by us. The cost calculation for the equipment based on our suggested solutions is shown as below.

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The solutions we suggested will not only give UDLM a big advantage to keep the remaining students to stay instead of draw out, but also to attract and get more students to enrol into the university because of the network availability where there is no system down problems occur and they can access it by using a standard internet browser from anywhere and at any time they want. With the implementation of network monitoring software, UDLM get to keep track of the network performance whether it is down or not and then fix it as soon as possible to avoid the same previous problem occur.

Recommendation (Areas of concern)

1. Network Performance SoftwareBased on our investigation, we found that UDLM has software in place to monitor the current network performance. Hence, we are recommending the need for a comprehensive integrated network management software. With this software in place, UDLM network administrators can monitor the network performance, fault and availability. They will also be able to identify bandwidth hogs and resolve network performance issues quickly.

2. Firewall and HoneypotWe found that UDLM has simple firewall application which works solely for websites restriction. This firewall cannot prevent an intrusion or common types of attack such as DDOS, brute force, shellshock, and botnet. In this area, our recommendation is that UDLM need to install a honeypot and new firewall that can actually prevent an attack. The honeypot