Proposed Computer Network Architecture

Core Network

The core network is the backbone of the entire infrastructure, providing high-speed connectivity between various campus locations.

Use redundant, high-capacity routers and switches for fault tolerance and load balancing.

Implement Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize critical applications and services.

Distribution Layer

This layer connects various departments, buildings, and major network segments

Deploy powerful switches to aggregate traffic and ensure efficient data distribution.

Implement Virtual LANs (VLANs) for logical segmentation and improved security.

Access Layer

The access layer connects end-user devices such as computers, phones, and IoT devices.

Use Layer 2 switches for local network connectivity and traffic segmentation.

Implement Network Access Control (NAC) to enforce security policies and device health checks.

Wireless Infrastructure

Provide campus-wide Wi-Fi coverage using a combination of access points (APs) and controllers.

Implement strong security measures like WPA3, captive portal authentication, and intrusion detection.

Data Centers

Design data centers for hosting critical applications, servers, and storage.

Implement virtualization technologies for efficient resource utilization and scalability.

Ensure redundancy, backup power, cooling, and physical security.

Cloud Integration

Integrate cloud services for scalability and flexibility.

Use cloud-based storage, applications, and disaster recovery solutions.

Security Measures

Implement a comprehensive security architecture, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) solutions.

Use next-generation firewalls with application-layer filtering and deep packet inspection.

Deploy VPN gateways for secure remote access.

Intrusion Detection and Prevention

Set up IDS/IPS systems to monitor network traffic for anomalies and potential threats.

Use machine learning and behavioral analytics to detect sophisticated attacks.

Load Balancing

Use load balancers to distribute traffic across multiple servers for improved performance and availability.

Use load balancers to distribute traffic across multiple servers for improved performance and availability.

Implement global server load balancing for disaster recovery and fault tolerance.

Redundancy and Failover

Implement redundancy at every layer of the network to ensure high availability.

Set up automatic failover mechanisms for critical services.

Monitoring and Management

Deploy network monitoring tools to track performance, identify bottlenecks, and troubleshoot issues.

Implement centralized management systems for configuration, updates, and security policy enforcement.

IPv6 Adoption

Design the network infrastructure to support IPv6 to ensure future scalability and address exhaustion.

Guest and IoT Networks

Set up segregated networks for guest users and IoT devices to prevent security risks and isolate traffic.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Implement a SIEM system to collect, correlate, and analyze security event data from across the network.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Design a robust disaster recovery plan that includes data backup, off-site replication, and rapid restoration procedures.

Scalability and Future Growth

Plan for scalability by choosing network equipment and architectures that can accommodate future growth in users, devices, and services.

This is a complex undertaking that requires input from network architects, security experts, system administrators, and other relevant stakeholders. Regular maintenance, updates, and periodic security audits are essential to keep the network infrastructure secure and reliable over time.