full scenario planning guide

8/3/2019 Full Scenario Planning Guide

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Clydebank College DN4P 35

Scenario — Dunbartonshire Joiners

You are a computer consultant working for a Company called ClydeNetSolutions.

Dunbartonshire Joiners is a small company who manufacture bespoke, high

quality kitchens and shop fittings. They have recently been awarded a contractto supply kitchens for a new housing development. At present they have two

premises: a workshop at East Dumbarton and a Head Office in Clydebank.

The Computer System at the Clydebank Head Office, where all design work is

carried out, was upgraded last year and your task is to plan, carry out and

evaluate the upgrade of the system installed at, East Dumbarton Industrial

Estate.

Diagram 1 shows the layout of the East Dumbarton facility. In order to carry out

this task it is likely you will have to find out more about the present installation

in East Dumbarton and what the company would expect of the new or upgradedsystem.

Diagram 1

Your assessors have the right to assure themselves of the authenticity of your

submission. For your Planning stage submission, you have been given the layout

of the East Dumbarton Facility in this document.

Computing - Technical Support Nov 2011 - Jun 2012




The scenario provided does not have enough information to compile the required

report and therefore you will have to ask questions and / or use other

techniques to gain the required information to fully analyse the upgrade

problem.

Typical questions and answers should be included in a planning report of thisnature are listed below.

1. What are the hardware and software specifications for the existing PCs at

the East Dumbarton Facility?

Hardware and software specifications for existing PCs at the East Dumbarton

facility

2. What are the specifications of the existing printers?





Existing printer specifications for existing PCs at the East Dumbarton facility

3. What information technology resources are available within the company?

A: Three technicians at the Clydebank Head Office.

All are familiar with Microsoft Windows Products including Server Family.

4. How secure do you wish the system to be?

A: Very secure from intruder and malicious attacks and fully virus protected

with future-proof updates.

5. Do you require back up facilities?

A: Yes — please advise your recommendations.

6. What is the completion date?

A: Assessor should supply a date for completion of all work.

7. Are the timescales flexible?

A: Yes — as long as suitable end date is achieved.

8. Do you have a budget cost in mind?

A: We anticipate a cost of approximately £17000 but please submit an initial

realistic estimate. This estimate should include all costs including labour and

material for ...

• ... Hardware

•

... Software• ... Installation





• ... Systems testing

• ... Project management

• ... Training

• ... Any other outstanding issues

1. How many telephone lines at Clydebank and East Dumbarton?

A: Five telephone lines in total, breakdown as follows ...

East Dumbarton Clydebank

1 ADSL/Telephone Line 1 ADSL/Telephone Line

1 ISDN/Telephone Line 1 ISDN/Telephone Line

1 Dedicated Telephone line into

master switchboard

2. Are there any other internet technologies available at either location?

A: No, nothing installed.

3. What is the CAD software used by Head Office Design Department?

A: AutoCad 2000.

4. What Client/Server software is used in Clydebank Head Office?

A: Windows Server 2003.

5. What type of data is transferred between Head Office and East Dumbarton?

A: Large amounts of technical drawings are sent, these usually have quite large

file sizes. The data transfer has proved to be problematic due to

incompatibility in systems and general glitches. Sometimes urgent data is

sent by courier between offices.

6. Are there a large number of calls between the Clydebank and East

Dumbarton facilities? Have you thought about Voice over IP telephones to

cut down on this?

A: Yes and yes. For example, during the introduction of new products or

contracts, a large amount of calls are made. If a system could be introduced

where calls could be made over a network reliably then this would be

attractive to us.

7. Is video conferencing required?

A: We had not thought of that, but with the business expanding, yes.

8. What is your anticipated growth over the next three years?

A: At least 20%.

9. What is the current headcount profile at East Dumbarton?





The above questions and answers are not prescriptive and are offered as

examples only to show indicative standard.

Your assessor will encourage you to make up your own list of response points for

the report. This may require some research by the candidate. Other appropriate

questions would be acceptable.

Analysis of what is involved in project based on questioning …

• Improved voice and data communications between Clydebank Head

Office and East Dumbarton

• Improved data communications within the East Dumbarton facility

• Improved efficiency

• Reduce data redundancy

• Resolution of compatibility issues

• Enhanced company image through information technology upgrade

• Demonstrable economic benefits

• Skills enhancement of employees

• Security and back up provision

• System needs to be expandable to meet projected growth targets

(6 marks maximum to the analysis sub-section)

The requirements in the above bulleted list are not prescriptive and other

appropriate requirements are acceptable.

Aims of the project

The aim of the project is to present and implement a suitable design for a LAN at

the East Dumbarton facility and communications link to the Clydebank Head

Office, as well as specifying software and hardware updates to the current

system.

In terms of this project, the candidate should ...

• … undertake a full analysis of the project.

• … look at the feasibility of the upgrade solution based on factors such

as cost, time and technical aspects.





• … recommend solutions based on analysis and feasibility study.

• … identify user needs, and relevant devices incorporated into the

design.

The project should include aspects of the design of an efficient, upgradeablesystem by defining the user needs throughout the planning and developing

stages and continually analysing stages of the project to produce the final

outcome.

• … design a solution which will provide adequate bandwidth for all users

in accordance with current and expected needs and should be

capable

of high throughput of data throughout the new system. Security is

animportant aspect as is minimum disruption and loss of service.

(maximum of 3 marks for a correct identification of the aims of the project)

The aims in the above bulleted list are not prescriptive and other appropriate

aims can be acceptable.

Identification of key factors influencing the project

You should show evidence that you have considered the key factors of theproject when presenting the report (or other documentation) by addressing the

following areas …

• Economic Factors — identification of costs and benefits, both tangible and

intangible.

• Financial Factors — outline comparison of the positive benefits against the

negative disadvantages to prove that the project is worth its costs.

•

Technical Factors — reviewing existing hardware, software and networks,scope of the system in terms of size and complexity and the new system

must be technically feasible given current technology.

• Time Factors — each stage of the project has to be completed to a

deadline.

(Up to 5 marks will be allocated for description of key factors outlined above)

The above key factors are not prescriptive and other appropriate choices are

acceptable.





Utilising the resources, materials and time available

When creating the plan the candidate should think of the resources, materials

and time that they will require for this project.

Resources should include equipment required to meet the project outcome and

should detail all appropriate components needed to implement the design and

what each component will be used for. This should include

• ...hardware: servers, workstations, printers, cabling and networking devices

and media etc.

• software: operating system(s), applications and drivers, etc.

This proposed design should include a floor plan showing infrastructure

topologies. This will be built upon when carrying out the Developing stage of the project.

The time that they have available to spend on this project should be considered

and how this will affect their plan and level of implementation.

Summary of planned solution

1 Physical Layout (example)


2 Floor Plan - General Office (example)




The floor plans shown above are illustrative of what you may produce and other

appropriate floor plans are acceptable.

Identification and utilisation of resources

2 Hardware

Ethernet or wireless: Recommend an Ethernet hard-wired network as the

most appropriate, reliable, cost effective and fastest option for Dunbartonshire

Joiners. Wireless could be discounted due to perceived speed, interference due

to electrical noise from machinery and security reasons.

Media: The media proposed is Cat 6 UTP, which is capable of transmitting data

at 1Gbps. It is more expensive, but should support scalability considerations.

Configuration: Client-server as the most appropriate architecture forDunbartonshire Joiners business needs and for security considerations.

Topology: Star topology, as it is the most appropriate technology for the

circumstances, number of users, expandability and geography at

Dunbartonshire Joiners.

Speed: The Network will run at speeds up to 1Gbps and any network cards not

capable of running 1Gbps should be replaced.

Network Operating System: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 has been

specified with justification.

Servers: Single server will meet the needs of the company, its users and the

system proposed. It will perform as a file, mail and database server.

Hardware: The new hardware will include a new server, wiring, connectors, a

patch panel, wall sockets, switch, firewall, NICs and UTP.

Capacity/flexibility: The number of existing users is 20. The proposal is a

network that would support an expansion of up to 40%.

Wiring closet: The lockable cupboard in hall has been chosen as most

appropriate location for network devices such as server and switches etc.

Switches or Hubs: A switch improves network performance by localisingtraffic on each port. Traffic on one port is not transmitted out to all ports, as

happens in hubs. They minimise collisions on the network and provide

increased security. Therefore switches were chosen over hubs.

NICs: These will be 1Gbps type.

Back up: Recommend a back up strategy that includes nightly back up on to a

separate back up tape drive. Back up tapes will be held off-site.

Security: The server and switching equipment will be housed in the lockable

cupboard in the hall. Anti-virus software is included in firewall software

package. A separate physical firewall is proposed. The frame relay product





specified will require a router. This router will contain a hardware firewall which

will give a high-performance, multi-service security gateway for medium-to-

large networks integrating gigabit-class firewall, VPN, intrusion prevention,

anti-virus and content filtering

Administration: A network administrator will need to be appointed to managethe system and maintain the security and back up procedures. It is

recommended that this be combined with the current technician’s role. Network

administration training will be required.

Management System: The company management system will be run from the

new server employing new Enterprise Resource Planning Software (ERP

software) for running the business that everyone can access for greater

visibility and communications. It is proposed to use Ollie Wright’s ERP 8.0

software and the Ollie Wright consultants to provide the training as part of our

overall Project Management brief. This will be implemented after network has

been installed and configured.

3 Software Components

Network Operating System: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 has been

specified as it offers the best reliability. (Research reference should be provided to

substantiate this point.)

ERP System: The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that is the

company management system will be run from the new server. Employing new

ERP software to allow easier running of the business, and offer greater visibilityand communications.

It is proposed to use Ollie Wright’s ERP 8.0 software and the Ollie Wright

consultants to provide the training as part of our overall Project Management

brief. This will be implemented after the network has been installed and

configured.

Software Upgrades

1 Upgrade the operating system of all machines to MS Windows 7 (18)2 Upgrade the applications on all machines to MS Office 2007 (20)

3 New software for design function i.e. Auto Cad (1)

4 Microsoft Server 2003 Standard Edition

5 Norton Ghost

6 Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System

7 Microsoft Office 2007

8 Norton Anti Virus

9 Auto Cad





4 System Proposal - WAN

A leased line was considered, but there are no existing lines anywhere near thefacility in, East Dumbarton and the cost to bring one in was prohibitive. As a

next best solution a Frame Relay product will be bought in, this offers all the

benefits of a leased line such as guaranteed bandwidth at lower cost. ADSL

Broadband that is currently installed will remain in place and be used as

redundancy. (Proposal is based on a quote from Zen Internet to supply business level

Frame Relay Product.)

This proposal will enable Dunbartonshire Joiners to take advantage of Virtual

Private Network (VPN), Virtual Telephony, and Video Conferencing.

VPN

A VPN supplies network connectivity to the Clydebank LAN over a Wide Area

Network.

The key feature of a VPN, however, is its ability to use public networks, like the

Internet, rather than rely on privately leased lines.

VPN technologies implement restricted-access networks that utilise the same

cabling and routers as a public network, and they do so without sacrificing

features or basic security.

A VPN supports at least three different modes of use …

• … remote access client connections, for home working etc

• … LAN-to-LAN internetworking

• … controlled access within an intranet

The proposed VPN for the company will allow the network manager to connect

the two offices networks economically and provide remote access to employees

while reducing the in-house requirements for equipment and support for exam.

The components detailed above are illustrative of what a candidate may

produce as an answer and other appropriate answers are acceptable.

5 Legislation

Legislation that should be consulted when planning, upgrading and disposing of

equipment are …

• Data Protection

• Computer Misuse

• Health and Safety at Work

• Freedom of Information

• Disability Discrimination





• Security of Internet Communications

• Protection of the Environment

You may also comment on Codes of Practice, for example the IEEE Code of

Practice states that the tester must be, ‘Competent to undertake the inspection,

and where appropriate, testing of electrical equipment and appliances with dueregard to their own safety and others.’

If some of the equipment at the, East Dumbarton facility is not going to be

utilised in the new system you should comment on how any obsolete equipment

is to be disposed of. It is important to, Clydebank Joiner’s management team

that you report on any legislation that may affect the implementation of the

solution.

A maximum of 12 marks may be allocated for the resources, materials and

time, available as follows …

• 4 marks for correctly identifying hardware components.• 4 marks for correctly identifying software components.

• 2 marks for correctly identifying the layout and infrastructure plans.

• 2 marks for allocating time and showing how it will limit project.

The resources identified above are not prescriptive and other appropriate

choices are acceptable.

Project Plan

To complement your report, use Microsoft Project 2007 to outline the project

based on the analysis undertaken.

List the resources, tasks and initial project plan milestones using project

management software, Production of an outline project plan using milestones

as outlined below.

Identification of Key Tasks

The key tasks were determined by first ensuring the user requirements were

fully understood. The user requirements were ascertained by utilising traditional

fact finding methods such as …

• interview

• questionnaire

• observation

• document sampling

• background reading

Comment on which method(s) you used and why.

Key Tasks





• Install WAN between Clydebank Head Office and the East Dumbarton facility

using ADSL/Frame Relay

• Install Ethernet LAN in the East Dumbarton Facility (allow for 40% growth)

• Upgrade software in East Dumbarton

• Replace older PCs

• Upgrade remaining PCs

• Purchase new printers with A3 printing capability

• Train staff

• ClydeNetSolutions would act as Project Managers

• Co-ordinate efforts to transfer data

• Video conferencing capabilities

• E-commerce capabilities

• Home/remote/mobile working

• Virtual Private Network (VPN)

As previously stated, produce evidence of a project plan to carry out the project,based on the analysis undertaken, covering …

• … identification of the main tasks — Analysis, Implementation, Testing

• … identifying resources

○ hardware required: PC, access to internet, printer

○ software required: Microsoft Word, Project, Visio, Smartdraw,

Browser (Versions)

○ books, journals, magazines

• identifying milestones• identifying schedules (appropriate start and finish dates)

• production of hard copy Critical Path Analysis, Gantt chart or other

appropriate project plan detailing the above bulleted points

Your project plan update should support your written documentation / report

findings. This project plan should reflect tasks, resources and estimated costs.

All tasks should be considered relative to the planning stage of the project and

while tasks still to be actioned may be identified, only those which form part of

the planning phase may be actioned, for example, a site survey or a planning

meeting.The Project Plans above are not prescriptive. Other appropriate Plan(s) areacceptable.

Up to 10 marks will be allocated for the project plan as follows …

• Analysis - 3 marks

• Implementation - 2 marks

• Testing - 2 marks

• Identification of resources,

• milestones and schedules

• (start and finish dates) - 3 marks





End of Planning Stage Assessment


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