Week 3: The Frame Relay Solution – You Decide
Scenario Summary
Over the past several weeks, you have carefully considered the devices and media that will be used to communicate between the Pittsburgh and Cleveland offices. You must now move your attention to moving data between the two networks. Kim has recently bought a networking book and began reading up on Frame Relay, but was confused by all of the new terminology. Perhaps with your networking knowledge, you can help Kim in this area.
Your Role/Assignment
Provide Kim with a two-page detailed report about your consideration of Frame Relay as connectivity possibility. Be sure to provide comparisons to other WAN options such as ATM and dedicated leased lines.
K E Y P L A Y E R S
Ken Rogers, Corporate Manager
Ken Rogers is the Corporate Manager, 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 for the new Cleveland office and oversees all of the 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 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, while interpreting 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
Interpret in layman’s terms to Kim what needs to be done to move data from both the Pittsburgh and Cleveland offices using Frame Relay, and include comparisons to other WAN solution possiblities for this project.
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.