Computer Network for Bistro Bookstore Computer Network

Computer Network for Bistro Bookstore

Computer Network Planning for Bistro Bookstore

Launching a new bistro and bookstore is going to require three specific tasks be completed to ensure the stability, security and continued reliability of the network which over time will become the backbone of the information system and infrastructure of the store. These three tasks include the development of the new network, defining and implementing best practices and procedures for ensuring security of the network and its contents from unauthorized access, and the definition and use of guidelines and strategies for managing the integration of technological and sociotechnical frameworks. Each of these three strategic areas of the Bistro Bookstore is analyzed in this paper.

Planning the Structure of the Network

As the Bistro Bookstore will have two businesses running concurrently, it will be critically important to have a very agile, secure and scalability network architecture. A star topology will be optimal given the store supporting both a small bistro that will serve coffee, cappuccinos, hot and warm drinks in addition to pastries and small lunches and the bookstore that will have a collection of fiction, nonfiction, travel and reference titles including a music section and travel reference section. The star topology will allow for highly distributed network architecture, with Wi-Fi Access Points anchored to specific department servers and printers for managing inventory position reports and sales-out data across the store from each register. The star topology is ideal for an agile, highly distributed networking model as the workloads are evenly distributed throughout the network as well (Hale, 2005).

In terms of the protocol, TCP/IP will provide the greatest flexibility in terms of configuration and the most effective levels of security. The TCP/IP command set and associated protocols will also ensure the network within the Bistro is plug-compatible with the network adapters, routers, hubs, switches and servers that will anchor the network. The TCP/IP protocol is the most pervasively supported and secure of all protocols in low-cost networking and connectivity devices (Potter, 2006). TCP/IP also supports advanced networking features including Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) which allows for IP addresses to be selectively assigned to laptops, tablet PCs including iPads and smartphones, configured either for non-secured or secured connections (Lehr, McKnight, 2003). A DHCP address checked out to a given device can be limited to as little as six hours of use, to 24 hours in the Window Server operating system (Leroy, Detal, Cathalo, et.al., 2011). This is very valuable for the Bistro, as it can assign long-term subnet mask leases to one specific series of devices used by the store while having an entirely different group dedicated to the customers' devices and free Wi-Fi which will be offered in the store. The TCP/IP protocol can be configured for peer-to-peer connections, which will also enable greater levels of file and transaction sharing and reporting throughout the store. Using the peer-to-peer protocol throughout the store will also make the DHCP-based protocol more effective in streamlining device integration and sharing of customers as well. All of these benefits accrue from creating a network based on the TCP/IP protocol running the DHCP network address allocation features. These features will also enable a much more effective level of security and scalability of the network over the long-term as well (Lehr, McKnight, 2003). Best of all, it will also create a platform for highly effective network security for the store and public systems that customers will be able to sue for accessing the Internet for free while visiting the Bistro and store shelves.

Procedures for Securing and Maintaining Networks

The Bistro Bookstore needs to have a well-defined and executed security and maintenance plan for its networks and systems that are supporting their operations. The most critical areas of creating a security plan and strategy for a given business include perimeter security, communications security, secure networking, platform security, access security and physical security (Keller, Powell, Horstmann, Predmore, Crawford, 2005). Each of these six areas are critical for the security, stability and reliability of the network, and need to also be included in the tactical and strategic plans pertaining to limiting Wi-Fi security liability as well (Hale, 2005). Of these areas the most critical is providing a high level of access security and secure networking, both of which need to be designed dot not limit the performance of the network yet also provide enough security to protect users from hacking attempts and internal systems from intrusion (Lehr, McKnight, 2003). Communications security is also essential for the entire store's network to not be hacked or diverted via IP authentication attacks over the Web (Potter, 2006). The maintenance plan for the store's network needs to take these factors into account, with plans along each of the security dimensions mentioned, complete with project plans and a continual series of audits to ensure the systems stay secure. There is also the need to create an ongoing dashboard and series of analytics and metrics to show in real-time hwo the store's networks are functioning both from a security and performance standpoint. These dashboards will prove to be invaluable in managing the maintenance of these systems over the long-term (Lehr, McKnight, 2003).

Additional procedures for securing and maintaining networks include creating a layered security strategy that more single points of network security failure, specifically in the area of Wi-Fi integration points and hot spots (Potter, 2006). Having a more comprehensive plan for network security at the kiosks and cash registers incouding requiring the use of sign-on cards that have Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips codes with employee's login privileges is also important to make sure duplicates are not produced and used for gaining access to internal systems. Another strategy is to create a series of security zones and very specific user roles throughout Bistro and bookstore, delineating who has privileges to update pricing, promotional programs and also manage marketing programs and specials (Liew, 2008). This approach to role-based security continues to highlight effective in managing Wi-Fi network sharing (Leroy, Detal, Cathalo, et.al., 2011). Additional maintenance plans include the creation of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that protect the most sensitive transaction data across the network, all unified to a common security platform that can provide real-time analytics and metrics of performance (Leroy, Detal, Cathalo, et.al., 2011).