Topic: Prototype demonstration
Pages: 5, Double spaced
Sources: 6
Order type: Assignment
Subject: IT Management
Style: Not specified
Language: English (U.S.)
Introduction
The aim of this paper is to design a cloud based network that can enable the Melbourne City Council efficiently and cost effectively outsource its HR and Payroll Services.
Literature Survey
According to Satyanarayana (2012, p. 76), cloud computing is a computing model that allows “ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources” while SaaS is an application distribution model that allows a client or a subscriber to access the services offered by the application hosted by a service provider over a network. The main characteristics of SaaS distribution model include; network access, service provider support, subscription pricing, low customization and managed upgrades (Satyanarayana 2012, p. 76),
Gueye, Sanogo, Ouya, Saliah-Hassane and Lishou propose two models for sharing resources in cloud computing networks. The first model is a centralized model that can be used to access cloud based resources through the web while the second model is a decentralized model that can be used to access physical resources that cannot be accessed through the web. The centralized model uses centralized infrastructure to facilitate resource sharing, mobility and flexibility in resource usage. The decentralized model on the other hand allows a subscriber to have its own cloud infrastructure that acts as a gateway that connects outsourced computer equipment (Gueye et al. 2012).
According to Nirmala and Sridaran (p. 27), the main architectural issues in cloud network design are unification, scalability, reusability, emerging technologies and industry practices issues. There are many cloud platforms each with its interface for subscribers to access services or interact with the underlying infrastructures. It is therefore challenging for cloud users to access services or resources from different clouds because of heterogeneous software and incompatible interfaces (Nirmala & Sridaran, 2012). There are also several business issues such as datacenter energy costs, reliability, security and performance issues that must be put into consideration when designing cloud networks (Nirmala & Sridaran, 2012).
Zota and Petre’s article provides an overview of Cisco, IBM and NIST reference architectures for cloud computing. The Cisco architecture comprises of three services which are IaaS, PaaS and SaaS and four deployment models which are private, public, hybrid and community (Zota & Petre, 2014, p.27). According to the Cisco model, the main benefit of a cloud based solution is increased efficiency and agility in information technology (IT) (Zota & Petre, 2014, p.27). The IBM cloud architecture focuses on designing cloud solutions and hosting them in a manner that ensures cost reduction, high rate of security, reliability, scalability and control (Zota & Petre, 2014, p.28). The NIST architecture is made up of opinions and descriptions that form the foundation of the characteristics, usage and standards in the field of cloud computing. The architecture therefore focuses on the needs that cloud services meet as opposed to design specifications in order to facilitate the understanding of operational complications in cloud computing (Zota & Petre, 2014, p.28).
Radenkovic, Zrakic, Bogdanovic, Vujin and Barac (2013) proposes a model that can be used to design a comprehensive, stable, scalable, reliable and flexible infrastructure that can effectively support cloud computing services in a learning environment. According to the article, for a network infrastructure to effectively support cloud computing services, it has to ensure high availability, scalability, reliability, flexibility and security. In addition, the network infrastructure should support simple and fast installation of new software and hardware systems to support (Radenkovic et al. 2013, p. 42).
Jagli, Solanki and Chandarana (2013) propose a model for outsourcing payroll management services from third party service providers. According to the article, an organization can save significant resources and ensure efficiency in its operations by outsourcing payroll management functions. This is because there are third party service providers that can deliver accurate payroll on time and provide other value adding services such as self-service portal where employees can file their refund claims. An organization that outsources its payroll management system is therefore able to focus on its core business, reduce operating costs and reduce IT reliance (Jagli, Solanki & Chandarana, 2013).
Project scope
Melbourne City Council is committed to continued evolution as a sophisticated, competitive and forward-thinking city. In order to ensure that the city stays on the path of economic growth and prosperity, it needs strong stewardship, efficiency and cost effectiveness in operations. The council therefore needs to firstly deploy an HR and Payroll system that can enable it meet its basic operational requirements cost effectively by reducing the cost of fulfilling HR and payroll processes and generating management reports. Secondly, the council needs to deploy an HR and Payroll system that can enhance the council’s ability to target key workforce challenges like absence management and attracting and retaining qualified and talented employees.
The requirements for the new information system include;
• Ability to report from a single source of information so as to generate reliable and accurate management reports quicker.
• Support self-service and workflow for managers and staff to enhance efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Ensure that information systems in the council are integrated properly to eliminate data duplication and inconsistencies.
• Support workforce mobility by allowing staff members to access the council’s information resources from diverse devices such as desktops, laptops and smartphones.
• Allow the management to maintain a talent pool with recruiting and performance review functionalities.
Project Statement
The scope of work for the new HR and Payroll project include planning, initiation, implementation, monitoring, controlling, training and closing all phases of the project within budget and schedule. The key tasks that the project team will undertake include risk management, vendor evaluation and selection, scope management, system design, analysis and implementation, stakeholder management and user training.
Milestones
As shown in figure one above, the projects milestones are project charter approval, procurement and set-up of hardware and software and the new system going live.
Network design
Figure two above shows the proposed network design. The network uses a hierarchical network design model where the network is divided into smaller manageable areas to support network modularity, resiliency and flexibility (Cisco Inc., 2014). The network design used Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology to ensure that the private networks of the city council and the service providers communicate through the internet securely. VPN uses authentication to validate data sources and access control using passwords to limit unauthorized users from accessing the network. In addition, VPN has mechanisms of ensuring data integrity and confidentiality (Cisco Inc., 2014).
IP address table
The cloud based network will be divided into four subnets to control access to computing resources and services. Users in a given subnet will therefore be allowed only to access the resources or services they need to perform their job functions.
References
Cisco Inc. (2014). Networks Companion Guide: Hierarchical Network Design. Retrieved August, 2017 from http://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=2202410&seqNum=4
Gueye, A. D., Sanogo, I, Ouya, S, Saliah-Hassane, H. & Lishou, C. (2014), Proposal For a Cloud Computing Solution and Application in Pedagogical Virtual Organization. International Conference on Information Technology.
Jagli, D., Solanki, R. & Chandarana, P. (2013). Payroll Management System as SaaS. Proceedings of National Conference on New Horizons in IT
Nirmala, A.P. & Sridaran, R. (2012). Cloud Computing Issues at Design and Implementation Levels – A Survey. International Journal of Advanced Networking and Applications, 3(6), pp. 1444-1449
Radenkovic, B., Zrakic, M., Bogdanovic Z., Vujin, V. & Barac, D. (2013). Designing Network Infrastructure for an e-learning Cloud. The Fourth International Conference on e-Learning.
Satyanarayana, S. (2012). Cloud Computing: SaaS. Computer Science and Telecommunications 4 (36) pp. 76-79.
Zota, R & Petre, I. A. (2014). An Overview of the Most Important Reference Architectures for Cloud Computing. Information Economica, 18(4), pp. 26-38.
Cloud network design proposal
Project Scope
Design a cloud network proposal for a software development organization with 100 users.
Project Requirements
1. The organization should have a website setup on the cloud
2. All users should have email accounts under the organization name, setup on the cloud.
3. Data storage repository should be available for all the users on the cloud
4. An application server should be available, which would be a dedicated system on the cloud.
5. The organization should have a LAN with appropriate components like routers and switches.
6. Internet access for all LAN users.
Report Contents
1. Project Scope
2. Project Requirements
3. IP Network Design for LAN users
4. Network Topology Diagram
5. Network Testing and verification (Riverbed, Netsim, GNS3)
6. References
Prototype demonstration (Netsim or GNS3, and Riverbed)
Purpose of the assessment:
The purpose of this assignment is to develop skills on testing and verification of your project.
Description of the assessment:
For each simulator, include network diagram and appropriate characteristics/features.
Part A: Demonstration of project in Netsim and/or GNS
Network diagram: include server, switches, routers, WIFI, PCs/Laptops, etc
Characteristics: include security, Frame Relay switch, VLAN etc
Working of the model: successful pinging of all devices
PART B: Demonstration of project in Riverbed
Network diagram: include server, switches, routers, WIFI, PCs/Laptops, etc
Characteristics: include security, applications, etc
Working of the model: successful pinging of all devices, generate graphs
Submission Guidelines:
Your assignment should be completed according to the General Guidelines for Presentation of Academic Work.
1. The assignment must be submitted in soft (electronic) copy on Moodle.
2. Include screen prints in a file.
