11.0.1.2 Class Activity – Did You Notice Answers

Last Updated on February 1, 2019 by Admin

11.0.1.2 Class Activity – Did You Notice Answers

Class Activity – Did You Notice…? (Answers Version)

Answers Note: Red font color or gray highlights indicate text that appears in the instructor copy only.

Objectives

Explain how a small network of directly connected segments is created, configured and verified.

Topology

Background /Scenario

Take a look at the two networks in the topology diagram. Answer the following questions and record your answers in the Reflection section to share with the class.

  • Visually compare and contrast Network A and Network B. How are the two networks the same?
  • Make note of the devices used in each network design. Because the devices are labeled, you already know what types of end and intermediary devices they are. How are the two networks different? Is the number of devices present in one network the only differentiating factor? Justify your answer.
  • Which network would you select if you owned a small to medium-sized business? Justify your selected network based on cost, speed, ports, expandability, and manageability.

Answers Note: This Modeling Activity is not intended to be a graded assignment. Rather students should note similarities and differences regarding the network equipment shown and the types of networks created. Addressing of the two networks should also be a factor in their comparisons of both networks. Facilitation of the discussion should include student-to-student discussions of each other’s work.

Required Resources

  • Recording capabilities (paper, tablet, etc.) for reflective comments to be shared with the class.

Reflection

Reflect upon your comparisons of the two network scenarios. What are some things you noted as points of interest?

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Multiple students may select Network B as their choice of the best network for a small to medium-sized business. But this may not necessarily be the best choice.

Network A is less costly in equipment. It also provides a more streamlined design, which should assist with network speed issues. Since there is no switch present in this particular network, expandability would be an issue and limited to the ports already present on the ISRs. Manageability would be easy, as there are fewer devices to keep documented and up to date.

Network B is more costly than Network A in equipment alone. It provides for redundancy which is important to the cost of performing business functions. It allows for wireless transmission, not just Ethernet as in Network A. Incorporating wireless technology increases the possibility of security breaches and can increase manageability considerations. Speed could be enhanced if the devices used load balancing and static routes to assist with load balancing.

Therefore, all categories considered, either network would be acceptable to use for a small to medium-sized business. Network A and B offer different positives and negatives, and it would be up to the small to medium-sized business to prioritize cost, speed, ports, expandability and manageability. They would eventually go on from their prioritization list with a look to the future and select the best design for the business. This is similar to separating all sessions into multiple conference rooms according to their topics.

Identify elements of the model that map to real-world content:

  • Cost, speed, ports, expandability and manageability are all factors to consider when designing a small to medium-sized network.