Can-D is a fairly large company headquartered in Orlando, Florida. There are 3,000 employees located at the headquarters. The company produces canned video content for popular entertainment ventures. Recently, they partnered with another local company (Video-Cam Corporation) that will be setting up an office at Can-D headquarters. There are some concerns regarding network performance between the various departments involved.

QUESTION

Can-D is a fairly large company headquartered in Orlando, Florida. There are 3,000 employees located at the headquarters. The company produces canned video content for popular entertainment ventures. Recently, they partnered with another local company (Video-Cam Corporation) that will be setting up an office at Can-D headquarters. There are some concerns regarding network performance between the various departments involved.

As the network administrator, it is your responsibility to develop and propose a solution to address these performance concerns.

• What recommendations would you provide to ensure that you have selected the correct protocols to use and have properly implemented routing hardware and algorithms?
• Prepare a 2–3-page Word document that summarizes your proposal to address performance concerns.
• Explain the technologies that are appropriate for this situation, describe your reasons for using them, and explain configuration issues.

Be sure to cite all references using APA style.

ANSWER

Proposal for Addressing Network Performance Concerns at Can-D Headquarters

Introduction

As the network administrator of Can-D, a large company producing canned video content, I have carefully analyzed the concerns regarding network performance between departments following the recent partnership with Video-Cam Corporation. This proposal aims to provide recommendations for selecting appropriate protocols and implementing routing hardware and algorithms to enhance network performance and ensure efficient communication among departments.

Recommendations

Protocol Selection: To address the performance concerns, I propose implementing the following protocols:

a) Ethernet Protocol: Ethernet is a widely adopted and mature protocol that offers high-speed, reliable, and scalable connectivity within local area networks (LANs). It provides sufficient bandwidth to support the transfer of large video files and ensures low latency, which is crucial for real-time streaming. Ethernet is compatible with a variety of network devices and can support the growing number of employees at Can-D headquarters.

b) Internet Protocol (IP): IP is the foundation of modern networking and is essential for the interconnection of devices over the internet. By utilizing IP, Can-D can establish seamless communication between its headquarters and the remote office of Video-Cam Corporation. IP enables efficient routing of data packets across different networks, ensuring reliable and secure data transmission.

c) User Datagram Protocol (UDP): UDP is a connectionless protocol that offers faster communication by avoiding the overhead associated with TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). Since Can-D primarily deals with video content, which requires real-time transmission, UDP can be used to optimize network performance. It is ideal for streaming media as it prioritizes speed over error checking or retransmission, ensuring minimal latency during video playback.

Reasoning

The selection of these protocols is based on the following considerations:

a) Scalability: Ethernet allows Can-D to accommodate the growing number of employees and devices without compromising network performance. Its scalability supports the company’s expansion plans and facilitates smooth collaboration between departments.

b) Compatibility: IP is a widely adopted protocol that ensures compatibility with various network devices, operating systems, and applications. It enables Can-D to seamlessly connect with Video-Cam Corporation’s office and other external networks, promoting efficient communication and collaboration.

c) Real-time Communication: UDP’s connectionless nature and low latency make it suitable for video streaming applications. By prioritizing speed and reducing overhead, UDP enhances the real-time viewing experience for employees, optimizing the delivery of video content within the organization.

Routing Hardware and Algorithms

To ensure efficient routing within the network, I recommend the following:

Network Switches: Deploy high-performance network switches that support Gigabit Ethernet or higher speeds. These switches should have sufficient capacity to handle the increased data traffic resulting from the partnership. Features such as Quality of Service (QoS) support and buffering mechanisms can be beneficial for prioritizing video traffic and minimizing congestion.

Routing Protocols: Implement dynamic routing protocols such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) or Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to facilitate efficient routing between the headquarters and the new Video-Cam Corporation office. These protocols dynamically adapt to network changes and find optimal paths for data transmission, reducing latency and improving overall network performance.

Configuration Issues

While configuring the network, the following issues should be addressed:

Quality of Service (QoS): Configure QoS parameters to prioritize video traffic over other non-real-time data. This ensures that video content receives sufficient bandwidth and reduced latency, guaranteeing a smooth viewing experience for employees.

VLAN Segmentation: Employ Virtual LANs (VLANs) to segregate network traffic based on department or function. VLAN segmentation enhances network security, reduces broadcast traffic, and facilitates efficient traffic flow, thereby optimizing performance within specific departments.

Security Measures: Implement robust security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and encryption mechanisms, to safeguard sensitive video content and protect the network from unauthorized access and potential cyber threats.

Conclusion

By implementing the recommended protocols and configuring the appropriate routing hardware and algorithms, Can-D can address the network performance concerns and ensure seamless communication between departments. Ethernet, IP, and UDP protocols, along with high-performance switches and dynamic routing protocols, will enhance network performance, support video content delivery, and facilitate efficient collaboration. Additionally, the configuration of QoS, VLAN segmentation, and security measures will optimize performance, enhance network security, and protect valuable video assets.

References

Cisco. (n.d.). Ethernet Technology. Retrieved from https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/enterprise-networks/ethernet.html

Tanenbaum, A. S., Wetherall, D. J. (2011). Computer Networks (5th ed.). Pearson. https://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/sites/default/files/computer_networks_-_a_tanenbaum_-_5th_edition.pdf 

Yavuz, E., & Tekinerdogan, B. (2015). Performance comparison of UDP and TCP for video streaming. In 2015 23nd Signal Processing and Communications Applications Conference (SIU) (pp. 2004-2007). IEEE. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329902382_Performance_evaluation_of_TCP_and_UDP_based_video_streaming_in_vehicular_ad-hoc_networks