Background & Statement of Need

BACKGROUND & STATEMENT OF NEED

High Delta Engineering's computer network is currently using out dated servers as well as desktops. The company has grown and has the need for a wireless local area network system. The current computer/servers have been in use in the company for over ten years now. With new developments that have emerged in technology, the current system that the company uses seems to be out-of-date.

High Delta Engineering's computer system was assessed by the in-house Information Technology Department. Comparing the companies with the latest off-the-shelf systems that are out in open market, the IT department rated the system to be of poor performance, capability, and reliability. They found that the company's system's only provides basic level of system reliability. Parallel to the latest systems available, the company's system can perform only approximately 30 percent of what a new system can do. Therefore, because of the limited features and capabilities of the present software, the Information Technology Department suggests purchasing one of the best-priced server and desktop solutions in the market, Cisco product line. The company will be able to process more data conveniently, increase storage, and electronically communicate more efficiently.

From the Information technology department's suggestion, High Delta Engineering needs to purchase new hardware. This move will allow the company to properly and accurately manage all engineering and financial tasks. The IT department has already evaluated a few other hardware solutions and has already selected the Cisco equipment that will fulfill the companies growing needs.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

A. PROJECT OBJECTIVE

Design and implement a wireless local area network to support devices that are not wired directly to our network infrastructure while maintaining high security throughout the network.

B. PROJECT SCOPE

Analyze High Delta Engineering current network infrastructure and acquire current security standards that are being deployed within their facility. Implement all of the security policies from the wired network onto the wireless network to satisfy High Delta Engineering. Design the network to broadcast signal without providing the service set identifier (SSID) to reduce possible attacks or threats from entering the network. Apply a policy to the network to alternate passwords on a biweekly basis to ensure that any personnel that are no longer with the company cannot access company information. Network SSID must also alternate on a monthly basis to guarantee the use of the network will solely be used for standard business operating procedure. Altogether, these process should be between the budget of $140,000.00, and within the timeframe for plan completion of