Week 7: Network Troubleshooting – You Decide
Scenario Summary
For this week’s assignment, you and the assistant network administrator will be developing a plan to circumvent problems that may arise in the Cleveland office’s network installation. You also need to create policies and procedures for the Cleveland office as ways to handle network troubleshooting, along with a plan for establishing a network baseline and performance monitoring and coordination of all processes with the Pittsburg office. You will recommend the hiring of a full time IT Technician to support the new network. Make a case for hiring someone who holds the appropriate industry certification.
Your Role/Assignment
Provide Kim with a 1-2 page report on your plan for handling network troubleshooting and performance monitoring in the Cleveland office and explain how you will coordinate with the Pittsburgh office.
K E Y P L A Y E R S
Ken Rogers, Corporate Manager
Ken Rogers is the corporate manager of the Pittsburgh, PA office. Ken has control over the new Cleveland branch office on a corporate level. Even though Kim is the branch manager of the Pittsburgh office, she has to get final approval on all designs (especially in the area of technology) and purchases from Ken.
Kim Brown, Branch Manager
Kim Brown is the branch manager of the new Cleveland office and oversees all designs (especially in the area of technology) and purchases for it. Even though Ken Rogers gets the final approval for them, Kim is the person who all of the people involved with the project either report to or communicate with for answers. She is excited about her new position, but realizes that her technology knowledge is not up-to-par. In these cases, Kim relies on you, the network administrator from the corporate office, and your assistant network administrator, James Mitchell, in this process. Overall, this step is to choose what needs to be purchased for this WAN project, but also requires that you interpret to Kim on her technical level what needs to be done.
Cindy Won, Corporate Procurement Manager
Cindy Won, the corporate procurement manager, and her assistants are in charge of purchasing the major components for the organization. In this case, Cindy and her staff will be in charge of purchasing all technical software and hardware components for the new WAN located in the Cleveland branch office.
James Mitchell, Assistant Network Administrator
James Mitchell is the assistant network administrator and works with you, the network administrator, out of the corporate office located in Pittsburgh. You and James will be working on the design of the new WAN infrastructure located in the Cleveland branch office. Duties also require that you and James help in the technical purchases of the WAN network. Purchases can include routers, switches, servers, and software.
Y O U D E C I D E
Activity
Research various resources to determine best how to handle network troubleshooting and performance monitoring. Your plan should ensure that the operations performed in the Cleveland office are coordinated with those in the Pittsburgh office.
See Syllabus/”Due Dates for Assignments & Exams” for due date information. Submit your assignment to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use theDropbox, please click here.