Designing a local area network for a dental office practice

Users

The physical extent of the LAN is in one building. The number of users is eleven.

Nodes and workstation types

The total number of nodes you need for your LAN network is 9 wherein four computers are for the Receptionist, Scheduler, Billing Clerk and Senior Accounting Staff. Since the building has a four dental office and each one has its own set up of dental equipment we need to have 4 computers, one for each room and since you have a network, any one can have an access especially those people who are involved in Dental and lastly you need to place one computer in the X-ray room.

The most highly recommended workstation is PENTIUM 4 with NIC Card (3COM Giga Ethernet) this is the most useful nowadays because of its speed and efficiency.

Server

The number of server you need is only one. You may place a variety of server on a network; (1) Print server, which hosts the connection to a printer so that clients can send print jobs to the printer; (2) File server that maintains storage space for data that is shared with clients; (3) Database server which hosts a database that clients can use to read / write and share information in an organization system with other clients; (5) Web server that provides content on the Internet for clients to connect to when "browsing" the Internet.

IV. Applications

For your email you may use MS Outlook or the highest version of Internet Explorer, for Office you may use the 2003 version and for your Windows you may use XP. This list is tested because this is the most widely use nowadays.

VI. Topology

We have different types of topology one is the Bus topology wherein all workstations and server are centrally connected to a central hub or central cable. The other type is the Ring topology wherein all workstations and server are cable in one ring. The last topology, which is the best topology that you can use, is the Star topology because in this type of topology all workstation are directly connected to a server.

VII. Media

The best type of media that you can use is the UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), which is a type of cable that can support data transmission of 4,10,16,100 and 1000 mbps unlike the other types of cabling like STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) that can support maximum bandwidth of 155 mbps, Coaxial cable that can support data transmission rate of 10 mbps and lastly the Fiber optic cable that can support transmission rate of 100 mbps. These are the advantages of UTP cable; (1) it is a thin flexible cable that is easy to string between walls;(2) Most modern buildings come with CAT 5 UTP already wired into the wall outlets or least run between the floors; (3) Because UTP is small, it does not quickly fill up wiring ducts; (4) UTP cost less per foot than any other type of LAN cable.

VIII. Connections

For the connection you need to use Switch which is the highly use Internet devices because of its speed and dedicated connection. It also has a maximum speed of 100 mbps compared to other like hub and repeaters that has a maximum speed of 10 mbps.

IX. NOS

NOS is operating software that has networking components built into its structure. And the best NOS that you can use are the 2003 server because it has an active directory installed and can control the entire administration of your network.

X. LAN Management

LAN Management must have an Administrator, which can control the entire operation of your network especially in terms of technical aspects. Technician is also needed for technical support.