BMIT3084 ENTERPRISE NETWORKING
Tutorial 7
1. Explain Modern WAN connectivity options for a company.
Modern WAN connectivity options for a company encompass a range of technologies designed to
connect geographically dispersed locations seamlessly.
2. Illustrate wireless Internet-based broadband technologies such as Municipal WiFi, Cellular and
WiMAX and provide examples of these technologies in Malaysia.
● Municipal WiFi: Municipal WiFi networks offer wireless internet access in public areas
within a municipality. An example in Malaysia is the Penang Free WiFi initiative, providing
free internet access in selected locations across Penang Island.
● Cellular: Cellular networks, including 4G and 5G technologies, provide widespread wireless
broadband coverage in Malaysia. Telecommunication providers such as Maxis, Celcom, and
Digi offer cellular internet services to residential and business users across the country.
● WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access): While WiMAX deployment
has declined with the rise of 4G and 5G technologies, some WiMAX networks still operate in
Malaysia. For instance, YTL Communications launched a WiMAX network under the brand
YES 4G, providing high-speed wireless internet access in various cities.
3. Modern Wide Area Network (WAN) technologies continually emerging. An organization has
options to choose a modern Wide Area Network (WAN) to connect their Local Area Networks
(LANs) to the remote LANs. Propose and illustrate the most appropriate modern WAN solution
for the following scenario.
(i) A company with branches at different locations using Ethernet technology. (5 marks)
Proposal: SD-WAN Solution
Illustration: Implementing an SD-WAN solution would be ideal for this scenario. SD-WAN
offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness by allowing the company to utilize multiple connection
types, including Ethernet, broadband internet, and cellular networks. It optimizes traffic routing
based on application requirements and network conditions, ensuring efficient use of resources and
maximizing performance. Additionally, SD-WAN centralizes management and provides visibility
into network performance across all branches, simplifying operations and troubleshooting.
(ii) Local subscribers use coaxial cable to have Internet connection. (5 marks)
Proposal: Cable Internet Service
Illustration: Given that local subscribers already use coaxial cable for internet access, leveraging
cable internet service would be the most appropriate solution. Cable internet offers high-speed
broadband connectivity over coaxial cables, providing reliable and cost-effective internet access
to subscribers. Providers such as TM Unifi and TIME dotCom offer cable internet services in
Malaysia, delivering high-speed internet access to residential and business users using coaxial
infrastructure.
BMIT3084 ENTERPRISE NETWORKING
4. Compare a private WAN to a public WAN.
private WAN public WAN
Owned and operated by a single organization. Owned and maintained by service providers
and accessible to multiple organizations or the
public.
Generally provides higher levels of security Security may vary, and organizations need to
and privacy since it's dedicated to the rely on service providers' security measures.
organization's use.
Typically more expensive to build and Generally more cost-effective since expenses
maintain due to dedicated infrastructure and are shared among multiple users.
operational costs.
5. Identify the type of WAN network design is the most fault-tolerant and draw the topology diagram.
The type of WAN network design that is the most fault-tolerant is the fully mesh topology. In a mesh
topology, each site is interconnected with every other site, creating multiple paths for data to travel.
This redundancy ensures that if one link or node fails, traffic can be rerouted through alternate paths,
minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous connectivity.
6. One of the Wide Area Network (WAN) topologies is Dual-homed topology. With an aid of a
diagram, illustrate the Dual-homed topology. What is the advantage and disadvantage of
Dual-homed Topology?
Dual-homed topology is a network connected to two different networks via two routers or
switches for redundancy and increased fault tolerance.
Advantage: Increased fault tolerance - if one connection or router fails, traffic can be rerouted
through the other connection, minimizing downtime.
Disadvantage: Complexity and potential for asymmetrical routing - managing two connections
and ensuring proper routing configurations can be complex, and traffic might not always take the
most efficient path.
BMIT3084 ENTERPRISE NETWORKING
7. WAN operates at layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3 of the OSI model. Do you agree with the
statement? Justify your answer.
Disagree.
● Because WAN only in Layer 1 & 2 only.
8. Identify the communication method is used in all WAN connection. What is the advantage of
using this communication method?
● Efficiency: Packet-switching allows for more efficient use of network resources since
bandwidth is dynamically allocated as needed.
● Flexibility: It supports various types of traffic, including voice, video, and data, and can adapt
to changing network conditions.
● Scalability: Packet-switched networks can scale easily to accommodate increasing numbers
of users and data traffic.
9. What type of network communication used by Ethernet WAN (Metro Ethernet), Multiprotocol
Label Switching (MPLS), as well as legacy Frame Relay and legacy Asynchronous Transfer
Mode (ATM)? Describe this network communication.
● Packet-Switched
BMIT3084 ENTERPRISE NETWORKING
10. Explain Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS).
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a versatile and efficient technique used in
telecommunications networks to direct data packets along predefined paths, known as
label-switched paths (LSPs), across a network. It operates at an intermediate layer between
traditional Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) and Layer 3 (Network Layer) protocols. MPLS is a
powerful networking technology that provides flexibility, efficiency, and control for building
reliable and high-performance telecommunications networks.
11. Internet-based broadband connectivity is an alternative to using dedicated WAN options.
Internet-based connectivity can be divided into wired and wireless options. Explain the wired and
wireless options and give relevant examples.
12. Suggest TWO (2) Internet-based broadband solutions and factors to be considered when
selecting broadband solutions. Provide your assumptions. (8 marks)
