Introduction
A reliable wireless network is essential for corporate offices to support
communication, internet access, cloud applications, and video
conferencing. In this case study, Mr. Kumar, the IT network manager, is
facing issues such as weak Wi-Fi signals, slow speeds, and frequent
disconnections in some areas of the office building. These problems affect
employee productivity and business operations.
To solve these issues, the wireless network needs to be redesigned by
analyzing business and technical requirements, constraints, number of
users, network topology, QoS techniques, redundancy, and pilot
implementation. The main goal of this redesign is to improve Wi-Fi
coverage, increase network performance, and ensure reliable connectivity
throughout the office.
Business Requirements
Business requirements describe what the company needs from the
network.
Strong Wi-Fi coverage across the entire office building
High-speed internet for employees
Reliable connection with minimal disconnections
Support for office applications (email, cloud, VoIP, video meetings)
Secure network for company data
Network should be scalable for future employees
Minimal downtime
Cost Constraints
Cost constraints refer to budget limitations.
Possible cost constraints:
Budget for new routers and access points
Installation and cabling cost
Network management software cost
Maintenance cost
ISP bandwidth cost
Mr. Kumar must design a network within company budget while
maintaining performance.
Technical Requirements
Technical requirements define what technology is needed.
Multiple Wireless Access Points (APs)
Gigabit switches
Router with firewall
Structured Ethernet cabling (Cat6)
VLAN support
DHCP server
Network monitoring tools
QoS configuration
WPA2/WPA3 security
Centralized wireless controller (optional)
Technical Constraints
Technical constraints are limitations in technology or environment.
Building walls may block Wi-Fi signals
Limited switch room space
Interference from other wireless networks
Limited ISP bandwidth
Existing network infrastructure must be reused
Power outlet availability for Access Points
Number of Devices/Users Supported
Example estimation (you can include in assignment):
Device
Number
Type
Employees 80
Laptops 60
Mobile
80
phones
Printers 10
IP Phones 20
Guest
30
devices
Total 200
Devices devices
So the network should support 150–200 devices simultaneously.
Proposed Network Topology
Best topology for corporate office:
Star Topology with Extended Star (Hierarchical Topology)
Structure:
Internet
|
Router
|
Core Switch
/ | \
Switch Switch Switch
| | |
APs PCs Printers
Why Star Topology?
Easy to manage
Easy to troubleshoot
Scalable
Failure of one device doesn’t affect others
Suitable for office networks
QoS Techniques to Improve Performance
Quality of Service (QoS) improves network performance by prioritizing
traffic.
QoS Techniques:
Traffic Prioritization (VoIP and video calls first)
Bandwidth Allocation
Traffic Shaping
Packet Scheduling
Congestion Management
VLAN for different departments
Separate Guest Wi-Fi network
Priority Example:
1. VoIP Calls
2. Video Conferencing
3. Office Applications
4. Web Browsing
5. Downloads
Pilot or Prototype Suggestion
Yes, Mr. Kumar should implement a pilot network.
Pilot Implementation Steps:
1. Install few Access Points in problem areas
2. Test signal strength
3. Test speed and connectivity
4. Collect employee feedback
5. Adjust AP placement
6. Then deploy full network
This reduces cost and risk.
Providing Redundancy
Redundancy ensures network works even if a device fails.
Redundancy Methods:
Backup router
Redundant switches
Multiple Access Points overlapping coverage
Dual ISP connection
Link Aggregation
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
UPS power backup
Example:
ISP1 ----\
Router ---- Switch
ISP2 ----/
Proposed Network in Cisco Packet Tracer
Devices to use in Packet Tracer:
Router (Cisco 2911)
Core Switch (Cisco 2960)
Access Switches
Wireless Access Points
PCs / Laptops
Server (DHCP)
Printer
Internet Cloud
Network Design Layout:
Internet
|
Router
|
Core Switch
_______|_______
| | |
Switch1 Switch2 Switch3
| | |
PCs APs Printers
|
Laptops
IP Addressing Example:
Devic
IP
e
192.168.1.
Router
1
192.168.1.
Server
2
192.168.1.
AP1
10
192.168.1.
AP2
11
PCs DHCP
Laptop
DHCP
s
Conclusion
The redesigned wireless network uses multiple access points, star
topology, QoS, VLANs, and redundancy to improve Wi-Fi coverage, speed,
reliability, and scalability. A pilot implementation should be conducted
before full deployment to ensure optimal performance.