Capstone Proposal Project Name: Network Installation and Implementation for ABC Sensors

Student Name: Aaron Norman

Degree Program: IT - Network Administration Emphasis

Mentor Name: Kenneth Burbank

Signature Block

Student’s Signature

Mentor’s Signature
 Table of Contents

Capstone Proposal Summary .......................................................................................................... 1

Review of Other Work .................................................................................................................... 3

Rationale and Systems Analysis ..................................................................................................... 8

Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................................... 10

Project Deliverables ...................................................................................................................... 14

Project Plan and Timelines ........................................................................................................... 19

References ..................................................................................................................................... 20

Appendix 1: Competency Matrix.................................................................................................. 21

Appendix 2: Tables ....................................................................................................................... 23

Appendix 3: LAN Diagram (Logical)........................................................................................... 24

 Page 1

Capstone Proposal Summary

For any sized company, moving to a new location is a daunting prospect, and one that has

many considerations, one of these considerations is ensuring that productivity is not lost because

of technical oversights after the move. This project proposal details the planning, configuring,

and installation of an internet-connected LAN (local area network) for a small business moving

to a new location. ABC Sensors is a manufacturing company that designs custom floating-sensor

devices that gauge liquid levels in devices; due to the past years’ increase in sales, the company

has decided to move from their current office space to a larger suite in a new complex. The

project will entail installing and configuring most aspects of ABC Sensors’ LAN, as well as the

ordering and configuring of an internet connection and networking hardware. The timeline for

completion will be no longer than two months from the onset date of October 1st, 2012, per ABC

Sensors’ requirements. Alex, the company’s owner, proposed that I head the project due to our

past business relationship related to IT services; I accepted the offer knowing I could meet ABC

Sensors’ technical requirements and deadline.

Before the project could formally begin, I needed to take inventory of any existing

network equipment in use, and gather the requirements and expectations of the new network. I

met with all employees, in a single meeting, to discuss the technical goals of this move; I also set

a date with Alex, to visit the new office space and determine the physical layout required for the

network envisioned. During our initial meeting, Alex and I discussed the companies’

requirements for an internet connection, the needs for the LAN, an estimated timeline for all

objectives, and finally the deliverables and budget required for the project. Beyond the obvious

goal of moving to a new location, ABC Sensors will require a reliable business-class internet
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connection, with minimum outage or repair times; the company does not require a large amount

of internet bandwidth, due to using local file backups on the LAN itself, rather than remote

backups. They will also require connectivity for at least six personal computers directly after the

move, but need the ability to increase the number of network devices on the LAN without

requiring additional hardware. On my visit to the new office, I created a map of the space’s

physical layout and examined existing cabling runs and terminations, it was determined that at

least five additional cable drops would be required to meet Alex’s requirements. The project has

an estimated time-to-completion of forty days from onset, any extra time allows for possible

delays in acquiring the planned deliverables, or completing individual objectives.

ABC Sensors’ current network equipment includes only a DSL (digital subscriber line)

internet modem, and an 8-port 100 Megabit consumer-grade switch. These two items work well

in a small or home-office scenario, but are inadequate for the requirements of the new network

design. ABC Sensors’ requested at least two choices for both the internet connection and

networking hardware proposed. For the internet connection, I proposed the following options: a

bonded T1 Data-connection or a business-class cable internet connection. I also proposed two

different vendors for the routing devices, Cisco and Sonicwall, both companies have small-office

product lines. Lastly, I proposed two different 24-port switches, with the choices being between

Cisco and HP. The decision between the internet and hardware choices comes down to a

comparison of features and function contrasted with upfront and maintenance costs. This project

dictates the need to perform analysis on these deliverables and then present the best choice to

ABC Sensors.

The ultimate goal of the project is to have a LAN and internet connection installed at

ABC Sensors’ new location, that meets or exceeds all requirements laid out by Alex, and to
 Page 3

complete these goals at minimal cost and within the two-month project timeframe. Completion

of this project will require finishing any necessary wiring for the new office location, choosing

an internet connection type, and properly configuring a 24-port switch and firewall. Beyond the

physical deliverables, I will generate and compile all documentation and manuals, so that future

maintenance, expansion, or support is easily accessible in one location.

Review of Other Work

The network structure used for ABC Sensors will be a basic design; it will consist of only

a single switch, a single router, and the endpoints (computers and peripherals) that connect to the

switch. The topology of the network will be a ‘Star’ type, “In [a] Star topology every node

(computer workstation or any other peripheral) is connected to [a] central node called [a] hub or

switch” (“Star network,” 2012). In this project, the central node will be a switch with at least

twenty-four physical RJ-45 ports to allow for future additions to the LAN; because the switch

will interconnect all devices with Category 5e (Gigabit Ethernet) cabling, it is worthwhile to

obtain a switch that has Gigabit port capabilities. ABC Sensors’ has three deliverables that

require comparison, these include a 24-port switch, a small-office firewall, and a WAN

connection provider.

Modern switches have many features, including: QoS (Quality of Service), VLANs

(Virtual LANs), and ‘Layer 3’ network features, usually reserved for a dedicated routing device

or firewall. VLANs, which are logical separations in a network, rather than physical, will not be

required as part of the initial LAN configuration of the switch, but may be required in the future.

I suggested two switches, from separate vendors that have VLAN capabilities to prolong the
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usability of the switch in an updated LAN structure required by possible expansion. The two

switches I compared are Cisco’s SG200-26, and HP’s V1910-24G, each company makes

available datasheets which contain performance information, features, and other hardware

characteristics. The price difference between the two models is negligible, with the Cisco model

priced at $274.46, and the HP model at $275.00, the deciding factor will be between

performance, feature set, and compatibility for future technologies or expansion.

Table 1 – Performance comparison between Cisco and HP switch models

Cisco SG200-26 HP V1910-24G

Capacity in Millions of 38.69 mpps 41.7 mpps

Packets per Second
Switching Capacity 52.0 Gbps 56.0 Gbps

MAC Address Table Size 8000 entries 8192 entries

Packet Buffer Size 512 KB 512 KB

CPU Memory (RAM) 128 MB 128 MB

(“Cisco 200 Series Switches”, 2012, “HP 1910 Switch Series”, 2012)

The feature sets for both switches are similar, they both have the following key abilities:

support for IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6), browser-based configuration and management

tools, and both models are capable of supporting 256 VLANs simultaneously. These features

ensure that both switch models will allow for sufficient expansion, and will not become obsolete

within the immediate future. Given the project requirements to maximize performance and

features for any hardware costs I will propose the HP V1910-24G as its performance is slightly

higher in three categories, as shown in Table 1.

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The decision for a routing device, in this case a firewall, is between the Cisco ASA 5505

and the Sonicwall’s TZ 205. Firewalls can be difficult to compare, as many vendors will support

completely different types of technologies, or use different terminology for the same features.

This means carefully analyzing all available documentation will be important when making a

decision. The cost difference between the Cisco and Sonicwall routers is wider than that of the

two switches proposed. The Cisco ASA is available for $405.40, while the Sonicwall TZ 205 is

$442.16; Table 2 lists some of common features and performance statistics provided by each

vendor’s respective data sheets.

Table 2 – Performance comparison between Cisco and Sonicwall firewall models

Cisco ASA 5505 Sonicwall TZ 205

Firewall Throughput in 150 Mbps 500 Mbps
Megabits per Second
Firewall and IPS Throughput in 75 Mbps (available for 80 Mbps
Megabits per Second ~$1200 beyond base price)
VPN Throughput in Megabits 100 Mbps 100 Mbps
per Second
Concurrent Sessions 10,000 12,000
IPsec VPN Peers 10 10
Premium AnyConnect VPN 2 N/A
Interfaces 8 Fast Ethernet (2 PoE) 5 Gigabit Ethernet
Virtual Interfaces (VLANs) 3 (no trunking support) 10
(“Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances”, 2011, “TZ Series”, 2012)

Beyond the number of interfaces or differences in throughput each device is capable of, it

is important to note that both devices require annual subscription fees for the firmware and

software updates, to obtain technical support, and in the case of the Sonicwall firewall, to take
 Page 6

advantage of all its unified threat management (UTM) features. The UTM features of the TZ 205

include hardware virus and malware protection as well as application-aware logic, which allows

for blocking ‘Layer 7’ (e.g. IRC, games, FTP) network traffic at the application layer. These

additional subscription-based features can cost upwards of $800 per feature, per year. Similarly,

the Cisco device does not provide an intrusion prevention system (IPS) as part of the base cost,

instead a separate hardware module is required, at the cost of approximately $1200. ABC

Sensors’ does not require a robust firewall with advanced configuration, instead they require a

device that can grow with the company. The device chosen should handle their chosen level of

internet traffic (throughput) with the option to implement security policies as they grow. The

Sonicwall TZ 205, although more expensive fits these requirements better than the Cisco ASA

device; the TZ 205 includes basic IPS built into the software at no extra cost, and has many more

UTM subscription features should they be required in the future.

The final deliverable that requires research is the WAN (internet) connection type. For

this project, I am proposing two options: (a) a dedicated (bonded T1) connection through the

local ILEC, Century Link; (b) a cable-based internet connection through Comcast, both providers

have existing facilities at ABC Sensors’ new office address. There are several points of

consideration for a business internet connection, including bandwidth (upload/download), SLA

(service level agreement) parameters, contract length, and any support terms, including

guaranteed repair-time windows. Price will also be a factor in this consideration, as internet

service is an ongoing monthly cost.

Through calls to each provider, it was determined that Century Link and Comcast have

similar support and repair times for business class services; both guarantee repair within four

hours, and both have telephone support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Comcast explained
 Page 7

during our conversation that as a company they are shortening their repair windows to two hours

in some markets, and plan to make the policy a standard nation-wide in the near future. Although

the service terms are similar, the delivery method for the internet connection is not. T1-type

connections are delivered by a telecommunications provider as a dedicated-circuit, which

consists of copper wiring (local loop) that connects the service address with the service

provider’s central office. This means the connection is dedicated solely to the customer, and

bandwidth provided can be guaranteed (“T-carrier”, 2012) – this is a service Century Link can

provide. Cable internet access, as provided by Comcast, is a shared-bandwidth technology,

which means that multiple subscribers within an area share the same physical medium that

connectivity is delivered on, bandwidth delivered is more likely to fluctuate because of this

(“Cable Internet Access”, 2012). Both companies do have adequate SLA terms that contractually

guarantee the bandwidth delivered.

The last points of comparison between the internet service providers are between

bandwidth (connection speed) and pricing. Comcast provides a 50/10 Mbps (download/upload)

for $199.95 a month with a one-year contract, Century Link provides a bonded (two) T1 service

for $349.99 a month at speeds of 3.08/3.08 Mbps, with a three-year contract. This price

difference is due the delivery method, dedicated (T1) versus shared (cable) bandwidth. The

higher bandwidth speeds and lower pricing for the Comcast connection means I will be

proposing the cable internet connection for this project.

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Rationale and Systems Analysis

One of the core questions that must be addressed before undertaking any project is the

question of “why”, without understanding the needs that initiated a project, there will be no way

to determine whether an undertaking is worthwhile, or after completion, if it has been a success.

In the case of ABC Sensors, the need to move was initiated by steady growth in sales, which in

turn means as a company, they will require expansion in many areas to meet the demand of their

customers. One of the expansions includes more office space, so that more employees can share

the same workspace. Moving to a new location has many considerations beyond the scope of this

proposal, however a major aspect, for which this document concerns itself, is the requirement for

internet access, and an internal network for intra-office connectivity.

The goal of a network is to provide connectivity between nodes, in the case of this

project, to provide connections between computers, peripherals, and also a connection to the

internet. There is no single correct design for a network, instead the best design is one that best

fits the people using it. Even though there are many types of networks, many vendors and

network engineers agree upon some general guidelines for constructing a network, based upon

the size of an intended network. Following best practices during the design of a network is

essential to facilitating the future growth of a LAN. A good design allows for performance

predictability, hardware configuration compatibility, and eases administration needs, especially

aspects involving third-party technical professionals. For these reasons, consideration will be

given in the choice of all deliverables in this project.

Before the project could begin, an examination of existing hardware was required; the

currently used components in the existing LAN, including an 8-port switch and DSL modem
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were determined to be inadequate for the new location. The switch cannot be used in the new

LAN because it lacked the number of physical ports required to connect all the expected devices

in the new office. The currently used DSL modem/router is only compatible with DSL services,

although DSL is a possible choice as a WAN technology, it was not proposed because it is uses a

standard POTS (plain old telephone service) loop, and is considered less stable than either a

cable or leased-circuit internet connection. For these reasons, new networking hardware would

be required as part of new LAN. My proposal includes a comparison of two vendor choices for

each of these deliverables, this is to compare costs and features on the current market.

To determine which deliverables will best meet the needs of the business, I met with Alex

and others from ABC Sensors, and visited the new location. It was determined that although

there was enough Ethernet cabling at the new address for the existing employees, additional

cabling would be needed in offices for any new hires. The new space had four rooms that did not

have Cat5e cabling run to jacks, and an additional cable-run to a jack was requested for a

networked printer. After investigating the hardware and internet deliverables, I met with Alex

again and provided recommendations, based on cost and feature sets, for the switch, router, and

WAN connection. I concluded that based on the comparison in features, the HP V1910-24G

switch was a better value, and better fit the goals of the project. For the same reasons I chose the

Sonicwall firewall over the Cisco ASA device after comparing the value for the cost of the

hardware. Finally, the choice to use Comcast for the internet connection was decided based on

bandwidth availability and ongoing cost concerns.

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Goals and Objectives

During my initial meeting with ABC Sensors, the following goals were defined:

1. Verify or install adequate Ethernet cabling at new office location

2. Create a LAN with ability to connect 15 networked devices, and the Internet

3. LAN should be as fast as possible to facilitate local file transfers, at minimal cost

4. Order and install internet connection with 3 Mbps download speeds (minimum)

5. Procure any new hardware required, purchases must not exceed $1,500

6. All equipment should allow for LAN expansion

7. Create and compile documentation for the LAN

8. Network and Internet connection must be tested and installed by 11/30/12

The above list represents the goals of the project as a high-level overview, many of the

goals have objectives that are technical in nature that must be completed before the item can be

considered as met. The overarching goal of the project is to have a workable LAN and internet

connection available at the new office location within the sixty-day timeframe of the project’s

onset. To accomplish these goals, a project plan was created with projected timeframes for each

portion of the project. The project plan is split into four distinctive phases: Initiation, Planning,

Execution, and Closing. This proposal is a part of the planning phase that includes gathering all

the necessary information and details so that the execution phase can be completed as planned,

and the timeframe for the project is kept on track. The objective list below along with the project

timeline allows for monitoring each individual requirement for every goal.
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Verify/Install Adequate Ethernet Cabling at new Office Location

The following objectives are required to meet this goal:

 Visit office suite to verify existing cable type

 Determine if additional cabling is needed to meet company expectations

o If additional cabling is required, contact building management for permission to

install, obtain necessary documentation if required

o Contact wiring technicians, set installation date for additional wiring before

11/30/12

Verifying the completion of this goal requires visiting the office suite after the wiring installation

date and examining any work performed.

Create a LAN with Ability to Connect 15 Networked Devices, and the Internet

This goal contains many objectives, which have requirements outlined in other identified

goals; the following objectives will be required to meet this goal:

 Research network switches with 24 ports

 Research routing devices for LAN to Internet connection

 Purchase network switch with 24 ports

o Install switch at new office

 Purchase routing device

o Install routing device at new office

 Determine amount and length of any Cat5e cabling required for all connections

o Purchase any Cat5e cabling required

o Connect all equipment to expected endpoint (RJ45 jack)

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Verifying the completion of this goal will require testing each individual endpoint for LAN

connectivity. Verifying connectivity to the internet requires the connection to be installed, and is

functional to the routing device and switch. The goal will not be complete until all networked

devices on the new LAN are installed and wired to the switch.

LAN Should be as Fast as Possible to Facilitate Local File Transfers, at Minimal Cost

This goal is a general consideration that controls the requirements for other deliverables.

Keeping the LAN “fast”, at minimal cost requires that the switch and cabling purchased be

Gigabit Ethernet compatible, and use Cat5e grade cable or higher. Cat5e cable has a maximum

transfer rate of 1000 Mbps (1000BASE‑T, also known as IEEE 802.3ab) as long as individual

cable spans are less than 100 meters in length. Upgrading the existing Cat5e cabling to either

Cat6 or fiber optic connections would be prohibitively expensive, and is not being considered.

Order and Install Internet Connection with 3 Mbps Download Speeds (minimum)

The following objectives are required to meet this goal:

 Research WAN connection types with downstream bandwidth of 3 Mbps or

greater

 Select internet service provider based on rationale and systems analysis

 Order internet connection installation

 Test installed internet connection before 11/30/12

Verifying the completion of this goal requires being on location at the time of internet

installation to allow technician access to office’s demarcation point. After the ISP technician

completes their work, a test needs to be performed to confirm internet access; this test needs to
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include bandwidth verification to determine that downstream rates match the service being

purchased.

Procure any new Hardware Required, Purchases must not Exceed $1500

This goal controls the purchase costs of the switch and routing devices needed for LAN

and internet connection. When research on vendor options is taking place, no two combinations

of the hardware required should exceed this budget limit. Verifying this goal has been met

requires totaling the cost of the switch and routing device, making sure the total is under budget.

All Equipment Should Allow for LAN Expansion

This goal is a general consideration that controls the requirements for other deliverables.

Allowing for future networking expansion is an important forward-thinking goal; this business

requirement affects the decision process for the switch and routing device deliverables. Any

switch considered will require VLAN features to allow for LAN partitioning in the future, and

will require a physical port count beyond the immediate requirements of the business. Any

routing device considered will require throughput that exceeds the internet bandwidth delivered,

and requires that the device have sufficient session capabilities.

Create and Compile Documentation for the LAN

This goal requires that a logical LAN diagram is created, and that all other device

manuals, configuration parameters, and credentials are compiled or available in a single folder.

The logical network map defines all devices on the network, and contains the IP addressing

scheme for each device in a clear manner. Meeting this goal requires that all documentation,
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manuals, warranty information, and generated documents related to this project be stored in a

secure location, and delivered to Alex at the closing phase of the project.

Network and Internet Connection must be Tested and Installed by 11/30/12

This goal is the final benchmark of the project, it defines the timeline requested by ABC

Sensors, and requires that all other goals be completed and tested as working before November

30th, 2012.

Project Deliverables

The deliverables for the configuration and installation of a network for ABC Sensors

includes both tangible and intangible objects, however all objects are verifiable, and fit into the

following categories: hardware, networking services, systems, and documentation. The hardware

products include the HP 24-port switch, and the Sonicwall TZ 205 firewall. Networking services

include the configuration aspects of the LAN, the internet service required for internet access,

and finally the cabling service required to connect all devices. The LAN itself is a system of

networked devices that can communicate on the network. The documentation deliverable will

include logical LAN map, with relevant networking information included, and finally the formal

project report defines the project and goals themselves.

Hardware

The first hardware deliverable required to meet this projects goals is a network switch.

Examining the business needs and networking goals helped to define the necessary features and
 Page 15

attributes required for the switch. The model that will be installed as a major component of the

network is the 24-port HP V1910-24G.

The V1910-24G model has VLAN support, which will allow for network segmentation

should the network grow in capacity and require it. It features 24 Gigabit ports, which maximizes

the throughput speed on the Cat5e cabling used within the office, and will allow for intra-office

file transfers at rates up to 1000 Mbps. The 24-port count was important to allow for all initial

installed endpoints, including PCs, servers, and printers to be wired to the switch ports, but will

also allow additional networked devices to be added to the LAN without the purchase of an

additional switch. Beyond the specified goals, the switch also contains some additional ease-of-

use features that give it additional value, these include secure web management (HTTPS), port

mirroring, and cable diagnostics. The cost of the switch at $275.00 does not exceed the hardware

budget total of $1,500 set by ABC Sensors.

The next hardware deliverable required for the project is a routing device. In this case,

the Sonicwall TZ 205, which is a firewall, was chosen, as it provides sufficient routing

capabilities and includes security features beyond that of a traditional pure router.
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The TZ 205 has five Gigabit Ethernet ports, which means its connection to the switch

will allow throughput up to 1000 Mbps additionally the Sonicwall has an intrusion prevention

throughput of 80 Mpbs, this far exceeds the total internet bandwidth that will be used on the

device. The firewall does not have a node limitation limit, meaning any number of connected

devices can talk to the internet through the device. Some additional features that allow for LAN

growth include licensable security services, unified thread management capabilities, and WAN

failover. The TZ 205 is available for $442.16, which combined with the switch cost of $275.00,

totals $717.16, which is only 47.8 % of the total $1,500 budget allocated for new hardware

devices.

Networking Services

The second deliverable category required as part of the project is networking services;

one of the service that is required, is the network cable wiring service. The least-expensive

wiring contractor will provide this service, which is to include wiring Cat5e cabling runs to five

new locations, and terminating the runs with jacks installed into the wall. The wiring will also
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need to be terminated into an existing patch panel on the opposite side of the run, to provide

connectivity into the switch.

The second service required for the completion of this project is the business-class

internet service. Comcast, an ISP that offers internet connectivity through a RG-6 cable medium

will be the provider of this deliverable. Comcast offers a range of bandwidth levels, I chose the

50/10 Mbps level for $199.95 for ABC Sensors, which far exceeds the business requirements of

3 Mbps downstream speed. This level of bandwidth will meet the needs of the growing business

for the foreseeable future, and will allow for remote backup over the internet and several other

high bandwidth services should they be required in the future.

Systems

The LAN as a construct is a deliverable, it is a system that allows for the connectivity

between hosts and peripherals within the office, and beyond that a connection to the internet. The

LAN is a system made up of the hardware deliverables, the configurations on the hardware, and

the Cat5e cabling allowing all devices to be wired to the switch. The local network with internet

connectivity encompasses the first three layers of the OSI model, including the physical, data-

link, and network layers.

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Documentation

The first documentation deliverable is a single page Logical LAN Diagram. This diagram

maps the network and internet connection logically, and includes device names, IP address

assignments, and the DHCP scope for the networks devices. This document will ease in network

troubleshooting, especially should an outside technical party need an overview of the network

layout (see Appendix 3). The last deliverable included is a formal report of the project, including

details on all phases, deliverables, and a final analysis of the project.

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Project Plan and Timelines

Initiation Estimated Duration Start Date Estimated End Date

Project Scope Meeting .5 Day 10/1/12 10/1/12

Planning
Information Gathering 5 Days 10/2/12 10/7/12

Budget Review Meeting .5 Day 10/8/12 10/8/12

Research Hardware Vendors 2 Days 10/9/12 10/10/12

Research WAN Connections 2 Days 10/11/12 10/12/12

Proposal Meeting .5 Day 10/15/12 10/15/12

Execution
Network Cabling Installation 1 Day 10/17/12 10/17/12

Order Network Hardware .5 Day 10/18/12 10/18/12

Order WAN Service .5 Day 10/18/12 10/18/12

Configure Hardware 1 Day 10/25/12 10/25/12

WAN Installation .5 Day 10/26/12 10/26/12

Hardware Installation .5 Day 10/29/12 10/29/12

LAN Testing 1 Day 10/30/12 10/30/12

Create Network Documentation 1 Day 10/31/12 10/31/12

Project Review Meeting .5 Day 11/1/12 11/1/12

Closing
Documentation Handoff .5 Day 11/1/12 11/1/12
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References

Cable Internet Access. (n.d.). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 20,
2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cable_Internet_access&
oldid=522421286

Cisco 200 Series Switches. (2012). Retrieved November 2, 2012, from

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps5718/ps11229/
data_sheet_c78-634369.pdf

Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances. (2011). Retrieved November 2, 2012,
from http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/vpndevc/ps6032/ps6094/ps6120/
product_data_sheet0900aecd802930c5.pdf

HP 1910 Switch Series. (2012, May 14). Retrieved November 1, 2012, from
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13677_na/13677_na.PDF

Star network. (n.d.). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 10, 2012, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Star_network&oldid=527343825

T-carrier. (n.d.). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 20, 2012, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=T-carrier&oldid=527538784

TZ Series. (2012). Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://o-

www.sonicwall.com/app/projects/file_downloader/document_lib.php?t=DS&id
=66&dl=1
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Appendix 1: Competency Matrix

Domain/Subdomain Competency Explanation

Leadership and Leadership This proposal required utilizing

Professionalism leadership methods, for the
advancement of the project,
specifically by scheduling meetings
and making recommendations based
upon technical knowledge.

Upper Division Analysis and Interpretation of This project required synthesizing

Collegiate Level Information/Data information to understand the
Reasoning and projects’ technical complexities and
Problem Solving potential solutions, specifically by
documenting the rationale and
systems analysis for the project.

Language and Evaluating Information This project required accurate

Communication evaluation of hardware requirements
based on business needs in the
deliverables chosen.

Quantitative Literacy Interpreting and This project required the

Communicating Quantitative interpretation of data sheets and
Information materials containing quantitative
information and required analysis in
presenting said information into a
project proposal.

Upper Division Planning and Information This project required gathering

Collegiate Level Gathering information from the business owner
Reasoning and related to the projects’ goals. It also
Problem Solving required gathering technical
information for analysis.

Quantitative Literacy Constructing Arguments and This project required several

Reasoning decisions relating to hardware and
services which then had to be
proposed using reasoning, and by
matching the choices with the project
goals

Leadership and Performance Evaluation This projects’ Goals and Deliverables

Professionalism section outlines evaluation criteria for
each goal and objective.

Networks Network Devices This project required the planning and

configuring of several networked
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devices.

Language and Writing as a Process This proposal required writing and

Communication creating documentation for the needs
of ABC Sensors.

Language and Inquiry and Research This proposal contains several

Communication electronic references to illuminate the
decision process, and explain the
reasoning for them.

Project Management Project Planning This document contains several

sections that outline and expand upon
the planning process for this project.

Upper Division Identifying the Role of Critical This project required using critical
Collegiate Level Thinking in the Disciplines and thinking in the creation of this project
Reasoning and Professions document as part of a business
Problem Solving project.
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Appendix 2: Tables

Table 1 – Performance comparison between Cisco and HP switch models

Cisco SG200-26 HP V1910-24G

Capacity in Millions of 38.69 mpps 41.7 mpps

Packets per Second
Switching Capacity 52.0 Gbps 56.0 Gbps

MAC Address Table Size 8000 entries 8192 entries

Packet Buffer Size 512 KB 512 KB

CPU Memory (RAM) 128 MB 128 MB

(“Cisco 200 Series Switches”, 2012, “HP 1910 Switch Series”, 2012)

Table 2 – Performance comparison between Cisco and Sonicwall firewall models

Cisco ASA 5505 Sonicwall TZ 205

Firewall Throughput 150 Mbps 500 Mbps
Firewall and IPS Throughput 75 Mbps 80 Mbps
VPN Throughput 100 Mbps 100 Mbps
Concurrent Sessions 10,000 12,000
IPsec VPN Peers 10 10
Premium AnyConnect VPN 2 N/A
Interfaces 8 Fast Ethernet (2 PoE) 5 Gigabit Ethernet
Virtual Interfaces (VLANs) 3 (no trunking support) 10
(“Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances”, 2011, “TZ Series”, 2012)
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Appendix 3: LAN Diagram (Logical)