TO:
Charlie Bobarley, Editor
FROM: Michelle K. Rathke, Student MKR
DATE: May 22, 2002
SUBJECT: Setting Up
a Peer-To-Peer Network to Improve Productivity
This report is in response to your request for a
proposal on how to improve computer productivity in the editing offices. In gathering information about our
stand-alone computers, I have found that the tasks of accessing the Internet,
printing, faxing, and file sharing are inefficiently organized. After having taken a networking class at
Colorado Technical University, I propose that we purchase and install a
cable/DSL router and CAT5 UTP cables to connect each stand-alone computer to
form a peer-to-peer network. This
report covers the following five areas:
problem, solution, criteria, discussion, and summary.
There are four computers. Only one computer has high-speed broadband Internet access. The computer with Internet access is the only
computer connected to a printer and fax machine. The fact that the editing offices are on two different floors
aggravates the problem. One computer on
the upper level is for the editor, and the other computer on the upper level is
for an assistant editor. The two
computers on the lower level are for assistant editors. Each employee should be able to access the
Internet, the printer, and the fax machine from his own computer. At present, only the publisher may access
the Internet, print files, or send a fax.
The remaining three employees are unable to access the Internet, print
files, or send faxes unless the publisher’s computer is free. In addition, the other three employees must
save files to a floppy disk in order to print or share files. The reason for the time-consuming and
frustrating methods of accessing the Internet, printing files, and sending
faxes is that the cable modem, printer, fax machine, and computers are
currently configured as stand-alone devices; therefore, they are not able to
share resources.
To eliminate the problem
of insufficient computer productivity caused by a stand-alone configuration, we
need to purchase and to install a cable/DSL router and connect each computer to
the router using CAT5 UTP cables to form a peer-to-peer network. A cable/DSL router is the perfect option to
connect multiple computers to the high-speed broadband Internet connection,
establishing a peer-to-peer network. A
peer-to-peer network would allow each employee to access the high-speed
broadband Internet connection, the printer, and the fax machine from his own
computer. A peer-to-peer network would
increase efficiency by creating the ability for employees to share information
quickly and to work uninterrupted. This
productivity increase would enhance the editing company’s profitability.
The criteria set at the meeting with you and the
assistant editors on May 21 include:
Total cost not to exceed $550.00
Implementation
time of 1 day
Payback
period of 2 weeks
Productivity
increase of 30% per employee
The discussion section of this report shows how the
proposed solution meets all four criteria and explains why I rejected other
alternatives. The four criteria
are: total cost, implementation time, payback
period, and productivity increase.
The spending allowance for this project, as set
forth in the criteria, is $550.00. The
cost figure covers everything from purchase to installation as shown in figure
1. The total cost for a peer-to-peer
network will remain within the allotted $550.00.
|
ITEM |
COST
NOT TO EXCEED |
|
|
$110.00 |
|
|
$100.00 |
|
|
$240.00 |
|
|
$550.00 |
Source: Rathke, Michelle. 2002. My purchasing
research. 22 May.
A cable/DSL modem will cost less than $110.00. Each computer already has a NIC card;
however, in addition to the cable/DSL modem, CAT5 UTP cables are necessary to connect
each device to the network.
Installation costs reflect the hourly wage of an entry-level technician
($40.00 per hour X 6 hours).
Implementation time, as stated in the criteria, is
one day or less. I am confident that
six hours is adequate time to purchase and to install the router and CAT5 UTP
cables. I can go to Best Buy and to
Office Max to purchase the required items in less than two hours. Installation of the equipment for the
network will take approximately four hours.
The payback period, as stated in the criteria, is
two weeks. Because the productivity of
each employee will increase immediately by 30% following the installation of
the network, profitability will also immediately increase. Therefore, I am confident that the two-week
payback period deadline will be easily met.
The 30% increase in productivity, as stated in the
criteria, justifies the cost of the network.
The increase in productivity will correspond to the ability of the
editors to focus without interruptions and to the elimination of wasted
time. Employees will achieve higher
levels of concentration and reduced frustration by being able to perform their
tasks immediately without having to wait to use another computer to access a
printer, fax machine, or files.
Other alternatives I considered were: a)
the purchasing and installing of a wireless cable/DSL router and
wireless NIC cards to set up a wireless peer-to-peer-network or b) the purchasing of three printers and three
cable modems and subscribing to three additional Internet accounts.
a) Installing a wireless cable/DSL router. In my meeting with you and the assistant
editors, we decided that purchasing and installing a wireless cable/DSL router
to set up a wireless peer-to-peer network would defeat the purpose of
high-speed Internet access since a wireless network is not capable of the
high-speed data transmissions typical of a cable-based network. Along with diminished speed, a wireless
network would cause security problems, since interception of data could occur
within a 300-yard radius.
b) Purchasing printers, modems, and Internet
accounts. In my meeting with you
and the assistant editors, we decided that purchasing three printers and three
cable modems and subscribing to three additional Internet accounts would be too
costly. In addition, the extra
equipment would be expensive to maintain or upgrade.
Purchasing and
installing a cable/DSL router and CAT5 UTP cables to connect each stand-alone
computer to form a peer-to-peer network is the most
logical and
inexpensive option and solves the productivity problem quickly and easily with
desirable security.
TO:
Charlie Bobarley, Editor
FROM: Michelle K. Rathke, Student MKR
DATE: May 23, 2002
SUBJECT: Setting Up
a Peer-To-Peer Network to Improve Productivity
The purpose of this report is to recommend the
network equipment that we should purchase for the editing offices. You informed me that the editing offices
were in need of a peer-to-peer network because the current productivity level
is insufficient. After researching the
brands of network equipment from Best Buy and from OfficeMax, I limited my
choices to two models of cable/DSL routers:
Belkin 4-port Cable/DSL Gateway Router and Linksys 4-Port 10/100 Router. To determine which system I should recommend,
I evaluated them using four areas of criteria:
price, features, security, and warranty.
I recommend that we
purchase the Belkin 4-port Cable/DSL Router.
First, the price of this model is below the $110.00 spending
allowance. Second, the features on this
router will allow you to
share Internet access, the laser printers, and fax machine. Third, the router also provides NAT firewall
security, which locks would-be hackers from the network. Fourth,
the warranty on this model is an astonishing Belkin lifetime warranty with free
technical support.
As you requested, I
researched several different cable/DSL routers. I found that cable/DSL routers are highly specialized in an
effort to ensure data integrity, high-speed transmission, and reliability. I was able to narrow the selection to two
models. Figure 1 contains a summary of
the evaluation criteria information for both models. By looking at each of the items in figure 1, discussed in depth in the next section of this report, you can make
a quick side-by-side
comparison of the two models. Figure 2
contains a picture of both models and, as you can see, they are very similar.
|
Criteria |
Belkin
Model |
Linksys
Model |
|
Price
(under $110.00) |
$59.99. |
$69.99 |
|
Features |
All –
plus 2 extra |
All –
plus 1 extra |
|
Security |
Excellent
– NAT firewall |
Excellent
– NAT firewall |
|
Warranty |
Lifetime
– Indianapolis, IN |
3 year
– Irvine. CA |
Source: Belkin Components.
2002. 4-port cable/dsl gateway
router. 23 May. Internet: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Product_Id=113464.
Source: Linksys. 2002.
Etherfast cable/dsl router with 4-port switch. 23 May.
Internet: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=23&prid=20.
Source: Belkin Components. 2002. 4-port cable/dsl gateway router. 23
May. Internet: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Product_Id=113464.
Source: Linksys. 2002.
Etherfast cable/dsl router with 4-port switch. 23 May.
Internet: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=23&prid=20.
The
maximum amount available to spend for the cable/DSL router is $110.00. It is important to consider only those
routers that currently in stock.
Belkin
Model. The Belkin model costs
$59.00.
Linksys
Model. The Linksys model costs
$69.00.
Conclusion. Both models, as shown in figure 1 and figure
2, are under the $110.00 budget limitation.
The Belkin model costs $10.00 less than the Linksys model. The Belkin model has a better warranty and
superior online support.
Features are a major
criterion when deciding to purchase a cable/DSL router. You need a cable/DSL router with features
that will allow will allow
you to share Internet access, the laser printer, and fax machine. The router should also provide firewall
security, free technical support, and a good warranty.
Belkin
Model. The Belkin model enables you to share high-speed digital Internet
access with other computers, to exchange data quickly between connected PCs and
notebooks, and share printers and other peripherals. Finally, the Belkin model features an innovative vertical design
to minimize desk clutter, and it has LED indicators to monitor network traffic.
Linksys
Model. The Linksys model enables
you to share high-speed digital Internet access with other computers, to
exchange data quickly between connected PCs and notebooks, and share printers
and other peripherals. Finally, the
Linksys model features a connection to an Ethernet backbone.
Conclusion. Both
models have the basic features, as shown in figure 1 and figure 2, as you
requested. The Belkin model, however,
has a unique, vertical design, and LED lights.
The Linksys model consumes more desk space and does not have LED lights
to monitor network traffic. Overall,
the Belkin model offers the best features for our purposes.
Security is the most
critical criterion to consider in the purchase of a cable/DSL router. Cable/DSL routers should provide NAT firewall security to protect
your network and computers from outside intruders.
Belkin
Model. The Belkin model provides
NAT firewall security.
Linksys
Model. The Linksys model provides
NAT firewall security.
Conclusion. Both models, as shown in figure 1 and figure
2, provide NAT firewall security.
The warranty is the
manufacturer's written guarantee of quality.
Warranties specify the length of time that the manufacturer is willing
to cover repair costs and/or to replace defective parts.
Belkin
Model. The Belkin model comes
lifetime warranty. Belkin offers toll
free and Internet customer service.
Linksys
Model. The Linksys model comes with
a standard 3-year warranty. Linksys offers
toll free and Internet customer service.
Conclusion. Both models, as shown in figure 1 and figure
2, offer toll free and Internet customer service. However, the Belkin model provides a lifetime warranty, and the
Linksys model provides a standard 3-year warranty. The Belkin model provides the best warranty.
