Bead Bar Network Paper

The Bead Bar is a small business that is rapidly expanding and has encountered some success. However, the company has been entirely paper based up until this point; with our help, we are slowly incorporating key information systems to benefit the business as a hole. There are many improvements that we have already recommended, but there are many more that need to be implemented to maximize the potential of this business.
We have already addressed the types of computers and other hardware the business requires, the software and operating solutions required, and the implementation of a database. Now the need for a computer network is imperative to combine all of these improvements and upgrades and connect everyone together.
The use of computers, software programs, and the database will do nothing but to increase efficiency, reduce loss, and save time – all of which equal larger profits. However, by implementing a computer network, the benefits of having the existing information system will improve ten-fold now that communication will be instantaneous. No longer will the order request forms have to be faxed or mailed to the warehouse after everything has been printed. No longer will someone have to same data and information on the database on a CD and then transfer the disk to another computer to update the information. A network is imperative for the Bead Bar; especially due to the fact that the company has several different geographical locations.
The network proposal for the Bead Bar is fairly straight forward. With such a “low-tech” company, IT support and ease of use are crucial so we need to implement something that will be fairly seamless with little to no education. Also, the company has spent a lot of time on making their locations very presentable to appearance is going to be crucial as well. And finally, the need for high end equipment should be minimal as each location should only have a few nodes each. However, looking at the company history, growth is a definite probability so that needs to be accounted for as well.
I recommend that we install and implement a standard Star Network Topology for each geographical location putting each location on each of their own private Local Area Network, or LAN. We will also be implementing an overall Wide Area Network, or WAN, to compliment the numerous LAN’s. The network architecture will be a standard client / server connection connecting to the main server at headquarters. This means that we will have to implement a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, as well in order to keep data transmission secure as there will be financial data being transferred. Also for the Bead Bar on Board, we need to have a networking solution that is viable when away at sea. Distance is a major issue so a satellite connection is the best option.
The Star Network Topology is going to be the best available setup for the Bead Bar. This offers a very simple network solution for the LAN’s. Each location will have at least one desktop computer and an inkjet printer. Since the studios only have a single computer and printer currently, the inkjet printer should be a networking compatible model to allow for further expansion. This way, in the event that more computers are needed per location, a new printer will not be needed. The typical star network at the studios will consist of one desktop computer, one network printer, and the internet gateway, all of which are hooked up a wireless hub. The Bead Bar has spent a lot of money on the presentablilty of their studio’s and do not want to pull wire where customers can see it or have the added cost of labor or materials. The wireless hub also becomes very flexible for future growth and the addition of more nodes; the wireless hub will allow sales people or anyone else to be able to come in and have access to the internet and the network.
A WAN is also going to be implemented due to the different LAN’s needing to be tied together to each other, and most importantly, the main server. The LAN’s are going to need access to the main server constantly to access information on the database; corporate headquarters are also going to need access to the studios and franchises regularly. Each location, besides the Bead Bar on Board, are going to be LAN’s; all of the LAN’s that are incorporated make up the entire WAN.
The Bead Bar on Board is going to need access to the network on a regular basis. Mitch, the Vice President of the Bead Bar on Board, is going to be accessing the network on his hand-held computer. While a broadband internet card on his hand-head computer would be optimal, when the ship is out at sea, signal is not going to be available. Despite the cost, the satellite internet is going to be the only dependable internet connection. If Mitch does not plan on going to sea often, then a normal broadband internet card will work out.
The use of a VPN is going to be required as well. A VPN uses encryption that secures the data as it is transmitted along public media. Since the locations are going to be transmitting financial data, this is going to be crucial. This will also allow senior members of the Bead Bar to travel to other locations and access their applications and the database; they can also work from home which can be a very nice asset.
The network architecture is going to be a client / server setup. This will allow the majority of data to be stored on a single location which is going to be located are the corporate headquarters. Most of the information is going to be on the database, which is centralized; users will need to be able to access information that another user modified in another location just a few minutes ago. This could not be achieved in a peer-to-peer network as everyone would basically have their own database.
The Star Network setup is going to be the best setup for the Bead Bar and all of its locations. This offers a lot of room for future growth and adding additional nodes will be as simple as connecting and using another license key; most wireless hubs allow up to 255 users. This network will also be the easiest to set up and all of the components can easily be hidden. The only issue we might have is if the wireless hub goes down; all of the nodes go through this one device so if we have an issue with it then nothing can connect to anything without some low level tech support.
All of the LAN’s are going to be connected to the main WAN which will allow for quick access to any information that the end user is allowed to have. This will allow all of the LAN’s to be able to connect to each other need be to exchange some information although again, the database is located at the corporate headquarters and the data transferring on the WAN level is going to be between the studio LAN and the corporate LAN. The drawback to this is that if for whatever reason a single LAN goes down, they will be “cut-off” from the other LAN’s.

Since the network architecture is going to be client / server type, all the information is going to be sent from the studio LAN’s to the corporate LAN and visa versa. This will benefit from having all of the information in one location and ease of access. By having everything located at corporate headquarters, you can also have your database administrator and your network administrator employed at the same location. Also, due to everything being client / server architecture, the network administrator can use “push” technology in order to monitor nodes that are not operating properly and to do routine maintenance. Similarly, like the drawbacks of the WAN and connectivity, if for whatever reason the server goes down, then the end users and clients will not have access to crucial information
Having satellite internet connection for Mitch is going to be a huge help on his hand-held computer. He will be able to access the internet and the VPN from anywhere in the world. This will be ideal for Mitch as he is always on the go and does not have a standard office or localized work location. The only disadvantage to this is the cost of the connection. However, unless there is a restructuring of Mitch’s responsibilities and how he completes them, this is the only good option.
A network is necessary to the Bead Bar; it is just a matter of what type of network is going to suit the business the best. The star network topology is going to work the best for the individual LAN’s. All of the LAN’s connected in together are going to create the WAN. The VPN is going to ensure that the data transmitted back and forth is going to be secured and not able to be accessed by outside sources or anyone that is not authorized to the data. Mitch having a satellite internet connection for the Bead Bar on Board is going to make everything on the cruise ships that much more productive and financially viable.
A network for the Bead Bar is going to be crucial to make all of the prior changes we have made as effective as possible. If the whole information system is the human body, the hardware components are the physical body parts and limbs, the database is the brain, and the network is the nervous system. While these components can be individual and separate from each other, installing a network is going to compliment them and bring them all in together.