FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY Makati City

Company Interview and Research in Network Fundamentals

Submitted by: Allen Gabriel Velasco Lorenzo Cuachon Raphael Christopher Sepnio IT-304

Submitted to: Mr. Roderick Magana

I. Introduction
In the business world, networking is very important. Networking serves as the core and the backbone of a business. You will not notice it but every company in the business world has it for it works hidden. No networks in a company means no connection and no connection means no communication between the company and the data they need to have, which will result in a faulty business operations. It is the highway of data communication in a company because it is where all the data passes by in and out of the company. In short, no network means no business.

II. Objectives
The companys objective is to interconnect each and every device on the company for the flow of data to be constant and uninterrupted. In the case of the interviewed company since they are a recruitment type of business for OFWs their objective is to retrieve the information in the databases of their servers containing the applications of people applying for recruitment. They will hire these people so they would get more income in their business for they have recruited someone and that is what their business runs. Networking plays a big role on this because it is where every data of each applicant would be found.

III. Challenges of a Networking Company

The main challenge of the company is the performance. It depends on the hardware and software of the company. They use the OSI layers as basis on how to troubleshoot the problems. For example, one employee complained about no internet connection, first they start in layer 1 which is the physical layer. They will check if the cables are properly plugged or any hardware is damaged or broken. If everything is fine in the physical layer, they will now proceed to observing the next layer which is the data link layer. They will check if they are connected to the switches or the hubs and routers, this goes on until the problem in connectivity is solved. They have to be familiar with the different OSI layers for them to solve the problem.

IV. Basic Needs of Network in a Company

Connectivity is the main necessity of the network in a company. Cables, Wires, Computer devices, Internet connection, and etc. are needed. Ethernet cables are used for network connectivity for the recruitment company that the interviewers have interviewed. The interviewee has shown to us a simple illustration of a network in their company which shows the necessities of their company

Internet

Modem

Router

Firewall

DNS

Switch

Server

PC1

PC2

V. Network Maintenance
Network maintenance depends on what equipment you have. We use different methods monitoring like: Firewall which protects the network. It acts as a filter of the requests. Particularly, I use Fortigate firewall, which acts an antivirus which blocks viruses, attacks especially on the servers. It acts as an all in one security solution. Other features of Fortigate is, UTM(Unified Threat Management) in UTM you can also limit the bandwidth of a user, web filter which can limit ones web access, application control, intrusion protection which protects the network from hackers and didos which attacks the servers until it freezes. Another use is email filters for spammers. I also use network monitoring, I check the server if its running or not. Particularly, Solarwins. This is where I check problems like loss of internet connection. If I there is no connection, the network monitor sends me an email regarding to the problem. Even the hardware of the equipments can be seen here, if its up running or not, the packet loss, connectivity, hard disk space etc.

VI. Network Topology Used

Here we use the Star Topology, but it depends in the com panys budget. But if a company has a bigger budget they can use the mesh. But we here use the Star, which if one line is disconnected there is another line because of its spread out design. Because in this company we cannot afford to have a down time. The up time is the most critical factor in a network of the company. Because if a network goes down for ten minutes, there is a big chance of the company to lose money. So it is critical to have a good network topology.

VII. Internet Connection Used

Here we use symmetric DSL, because it is important for the companys use, we cannot afford asymmetric DSL because unlike home internet we have important documents to upload unlike in home internet where you seldom upload files. Particularly we use metro Ethernet which is 100mbps, the difference of this to home internet is that, in business class internet this is guaranteed 100mbps and symmetric, unlike in DSL it is a shared network and asymmetric. We also use disline, which is a clear channel which you can connect to servers in which you can reach the server of another without internet which is IPLC. We also have Bayantel which is 10mbps, IPPGG 4mbps,Eastern Telecom 20mbps, globe 10mbps, and IPLC 1.6mbps which is very expensive. All of this are symmetric and I can check all of this with my network monitoring. SLA(Service Legal Agreement) is important

because it is the agreement of which we pay them for their guaranteed internet service.

VIII. Ethernet Implementations

The interviewed company uses fiber optic cables, just like in IPPG that uses fiber optical cables. Unlike in ordinary Ethernet, for example you ordered up to 5mbps, that is the fixed bandwidth. But with fiber optics you can increase the internet speed. But it is very expensive.

IX. Wi-fi Specifications of the Company

The interviewed company uses a structured configuration, specifically they use Ruckus, in which you can create many SSIDs. In which for example in one access point you can create 5 SSIDs. Ruckus also is used in SM malls. Wireless connection is an extended network of the company but basically its the same as a wired network of the company it just has no wires and your access is still in the network. But is very critical to know if how many are the users, the number of users the access point can handle.

X. Recommendations
Based on the conducted interview, the interviewers would recommend that they use their network implementation in their company not just by recruitment or human resource, but also utilize it and create another business for increased income like shipping packages to people overseas, selling imported products, telecommunication services for loved communication of an OFW to their families back here in the Philippines, and etc.

XI. Conclusion and Analysis

We conclude that NETWORKING has an important role in our everyday lives and it is used everywhere 24/7 without you noticing it. Without Networking, no connections, less efficient communications, no information, no nothing. It serves as the backbone of everything that it sends the information to when and where it is needed immediately and efficiently. Networking makes our lives easier and better making it a big step for humanity to innovate and progress.