Create an analysis and design model for a computer network.
Scenario
In 2011, PMI had an 84% market share in the plastic mold industry. Over the past decade, this has decreased to 56% and has not shown any signs of leveling out. After an in-depth study, the core reason for the drop-off has been linked to outdated network and database systems, as poor performance and network issues have caused extended periods of downtime every month. As the chief technical officer, you have been asked by the plant managers to construct a high-level plan that will immediately address these issues and better align the organization to meet its mission and goals. Also, focus on the core areas that you have found within the organization that must be addressed, and rank these in order of most to least importance.
Construct a 2- to 4-page research paper that will address the poor performance and network issues that have caused extended periods of downtime every month. This high-level plan must immediately address these issues and better align the organization to meet its mission and goals.
Full Answer Section
Problem Statement
The outdated network and database systems at PMI are causing the following problems:
- Poor performance: The systems are slow and unresponsive, which is slowing down production and making it difficult for employees to do their jobs.
- Network outages: The systems are frequently down, which is disrupting production and causing data loss.
- Security vulnerabilities: The systems are not properly secured, which makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Analysis
The outdated network and database systems at PMI are the result of several factors, including:
- Lack of investment: PMI has not invested in its IT infrastructure in a significant way for many years.
- Obsolete technology: The systems are old and outdated and are no longer supported by the vendor.
- Lack of planning: There is no clear plan for how to upgrade the IT infrastructure.
Solution
The following steps are needed to address the poor performance and network issues at PMI:
- Upgrade the network infrastructure: This includes replacing the routers, switches, and cabling.
- Upgrade the database systems: This includes migrating to a newer, more scalable database.
- Implement a security solution: This will help to protect the systems from cyberattacks.
- Develop a plan for ongoing maintenance: This will help to ensure that the systems are kept up to date and running smoothly.
Implementation Plan
The following is a high-level implementation plan for the proposed solution:
- The network infrastructure will be upgraded over a period of six months.
- The database systems will be upgraded over a period of one year.
- The security solution will be implemented within six months.
- A plan for ongoing maintenance will be developed and implemented.
Benefits
The proposed solution will have the following benefits:
- Improved performance: The new network and database systems will be much faster and more responsive.
- Reduced downtime: The new systems will be less likely to experience outages.
- Increased security: The new security solution will help to protect the systems from cyberattacks.
- Improved efficiency: The new systems will make it easier for employees to do their jobs, which will lead to increased efficiency.
Conclusion
The proposed solution will address the poor performance and network issues at PMI and will help the company to improve its performance and meet its goals. The implementation plan is realistic and achievable, and the benefits of the solution are significant.
Ranking of Core Areas
The core areas that need to be addressed in order to improve the performance and reliability of PMI's network are:
- The network infrastructure: The routers, switches, and cabling are all old and outdated. Replacing these components will improve the speed and reliability of the network.
- The database systems: The database systems are also old and outdated. Migrating to a newer, more scalable database will improve performance and reduce the risk of data loss.
- The security solution: The current security solution is not adequate to protect the network from cyberattacks. Implementing a new security solution will help to protect the company's data and systems.
These three areas are ranked in order of most to least importance because the network infrastructure is the foundation of the entire system. If the network is not reliable, then the database systems and security solution ill also be unreliable.