Hardware and Operating System Analysis 

Hardware and Operating System Analysis

CSS 420

Computer Architecture

Darwyn Azzinaro

Dennis Blevins

Emily Blevins

Andy Forstie

Table of Contents 

1)   Executive Summary

2)   Selection Process

a.    Requirements

b.    Technology

c.    Network Environment

d.    Network Layout

3)   Obstacles

a.    Remote Access

b.    Multimedia

c.    Traffic

d.    Existing Platforms

4)   Selection Process

a.    Meeting Needs

b.    Researching Technologies

c.    Responding to Obstacles

d.    Comparing Solutions

5)    Solution Presented  (Architectural Features)

a.    Processors

b.    Bus Structure

c.    Memory

d.    I/O

6)   Final Analysis

Cost

Implementation Time

Support

7)   Conclusion

1) Executive Summary

Empire Architecture is a full service architectural firm with both commercial and residential clients. Approximately 300 employees were distributed between the corporate office, which is based in Phoenix, AZ. with 19 branch offices spanning the Southwest (see diagram a). The corporate office consists of 5 departments. These are Engineering (Architects, Draftsmen, Engineers, Administration), Marketing (Advertising, Sales), Human Resources, Finance (A/R, Payroll), and Executive. The branch offices carried minimal staff and all major business functions are to be handled by corporate. 

Our consulting firmed (hereto referred to as WE or US) was contacted by Empire Architecture (here to referred to as The Company) to implement a networking solution for corporate and branch offices. The company had the following criteria for the network that had to be met.

2) Selection Process Requirements

The requirements that the company have total control of the data at the corporate office. The data was to be stored and updated at the corporate site. The access to the data was to be restricted not only to outside parties, but also to internal departments. 

The branch offices usually had a minimal staff consisting of an architect, salesman, and administrator. All data used by the branch (i.e. Schematics, Graphics, Specifications, Advertising, Accounting, etc.) were to be kept at the corporate office and not be stored locally. 

The corporate office is to maintain strict security internally. Access to data is restricted to the department directly responsible for said data. 

Additional requirements were stated for particular business functions. For instance, the marketing department needed to use extensive video conferencing and multi-media applications to communicate to the branch offices. One aspect the company wanted to bring to the market is the capability to make presentations to remote clients without having to send representatives. They expressed the desire to have the client go to a local branch and have a presentation presented to them via teleconferencing. 

The branch offices require the capabilities to remote access the data at the corporate offices. The ability to pull schematics, city codes, advertising material, etc. is essential to the functioning of the branch offices. 

Once the requirements were established, the next step was to determine the existing capabilities.  We determined that the existing technology was of multiple platform operating systems (Mostly Windows95/98 and NT, while some of the CAD people had Macintosh) on the existing workstations. The existing remote communication was by phone, fax, or e-mail. The internal network was a base NT client server running on an AS400. The current system allowed for expansion in the corporate office, but no upgrading for the remote branches. The current system was also lacking in the multi-media and remote access capabilities that the company craved. The base software was fine for the company, but the ability to share information was sluggish and cumbersome.

3) Obstacles 

We determined that there were four major obstacles to overcome to satisfy the company’s requirements and desires. Three of the obstacles came straight from the requirements and one came about because of the requirements. 

The first obstacle we addressed was the remote access. We discussed many solutions; among them were software related (Internet dial-in, Proxy software, Windows Access Software, etc.) solutions that each presented advantages and disadvantages. The Windows based dial-in was advantageous because it was already present, but was not reliable or secure enough. The other software solutions were each limited in similar ways. We researched remote access servers and Wan solutions. For the preliminary analysis, we chose this solution t explore because it offered a greater security and reliability and we would address the shortfalls later in the analysis. 

The second obstacle we addressed was the multi-media aspect. After further discussion, the requirement was easy access, real time remote presentation that could incorporate video, audio, remote control (screen board) presentation. Again many things presented themselves, such as Web based video conferencing, Remote control video conferencing, etc. The web-based aspects were real time but the security and reliability were an issue. The remote control would necessitate the branches having the presentation equipment on sight. This led us to consider remote access video conferencing utilizing web servers and T1 or ISDN connections 

These two requirements led to the third major obstacle we had to consider when implementing a solution. The extensive video conferencing and remote access would create a tremendous amount of traffic on the network. This is traffic that could lead to potential conflicts, data loss, slow performance, and a higher cost solution. This aspect would need to be addressed in respect to all the requirements later in the analysis. 

The fourth obstacle was one of perception more than design. The company employees already had established hardware and software platforms. These employees would be reluctant to train on new equipment and the company was loath to lose production time to train employees. We had to consider this in any solution and had to try to implement a solution that would not make this an obstacle.

4) Selection Process

The first and foremost thought we had was to meet all the needs of the company, and at the same time come up with a cost effective, flexible, and powerful solution. To meet these needs we had to try to incorporate the existing pc platform, increase remote capabilities as far as access and multi-media capabilities, and increase the data control and security across the network. 

We began to research base server solutions and found that most of the servers we researched (HP NETSERVER series, AS/4000, and NT Client/Server) all fit the base needs of the network in most respects. The one major lack was the cross platform capabilities with the Macintosh. That was a minor software problem that could easily be solved. 

We decided then to concentrate on solving what we considered to be the four major requirements of this solution; Multi-media, Remote Access, and Network traffic caused by these two functions. 

The base servers we researched all lacked the extreme multi-media capabilities we wanted and even if we had solved that with software we were confronted with the last two remaining obstacle of increased network traffic and security. 

One solution presented itself after researching the virtual LAN technology presented by Lucent Technologies. These include the family of Cajun P-120 workgroup switches and ClearTrac Access devices. This technology addresses and solves many of our problems. This system provides Voice, Data and LAN Over Fast Packet Networks.

 On further research on the network switches we found data that solves two other major obstacles. The problem of security and traffic are both solved with the work group switches. The workgroup switches utilize a hardware programmable switch to isolate ports on the network. Servers on the network are assigned ports the same as workstations, but each port is programmable to restrict access to the machine. This means that other machines not programmed for that port are logically isolated from even seeing the other machines on the network. This is a level of security that cannot be achieved by software.  

The traffic obstacle is solved the same way. Because the individual computers are restricted to which other ports they can even see, it means if they broadcast a message to the network, the other hubs not programmed with access will not see it. A major problem with network traffic is that if a user on the network accesses the network it is broadcast over the entire network. This system eliminates that possibility.  

Our research at Lucent presented the solution to another requirement. The multi-media aspects were a system we did not consider an insurmountable obstacle. The market is flooded with many video conferencing solutions. We researched Intel’s Proshare solution, which was cost effective but did not have the screen board capabilities and remote control we hoped for.  We also researched 3Coms big picture solution, which like Intel’s was pc based. Both of these were adequate except for the remote aspect. The others we researched had different shortcomings. 

After researching the Lucent solution we stumbled upon the Multimedia Exchange Server( MMCX). This server supplies all the video conferencing needs that the company requires.

(LAN), such as Windows*-based personal computers and any H.323 standards-compliant end point (for example, an Internet phone). The MMCX client/server architecture also provides access to the wide area network (WAN), allowing LAN end points to call users on other networks. The MMCX enables users to communicate and collaborate in a manner that best suits their needs by supporting multiparty conferencing with any type and combination of mixed media. MMCX calls can consist of any mix of voice, data, image, and video media types, with at least one of the calling/called parties directly connected to a packet transmission and/or switched network. A party to the call may be using one or more communications media, but it is not necessary for all parties on a multiparty conference call to be using the same media mix. For example, three parties may be communicating visually using LAN-connected desktop computers equipped with a videoconferencing option (audio and video), and a fourth party may be conferenced via a telephone, but he or she may only be able to speak and listen to the other parties on the call. This system has been developed to run in a PC/Windows-based environment that can be used interactively to design and reconfigure MMCX based networks to the needs of the users.

5) Solution Presented

The MMCX server was a major find and with its flexibility, it eased other considerations. As was stated earlier, our research showed many capable server solutions to handle the other aspects of our network ( e-mail, file/print servers, SQL, applications, Public, Database, etc.), our main concern was the security.  

The workgroup switch solution made the security of the server and software a much less worrisome point. After researching the basic servers (HP, AS/400, NT Client, Server, etc.), we based our decision on the recommendation of the people at Lucent. The MMCX Server and the workgroup switch solution had been tested with a FusionX3 server from Western Scientific. After researching the server, we found it also met our qualifications as to compatibility and flexibility.

6) Final Analysis

Upon final analysis for this paper, we have a preliminary price structure that could fluctuate as configurations are discussed. The base analysis gives us a preliminary server and network structure. 

The components are as follows: 

8        FusionX3 servers

4 NT based file/print servers

2 Linux based File/Print server

            1 Linux based SQL Applications server 

       1  MMCX  NT based Multi-media server 

1        ClearTrac M770 Multi-function switch 

       2   Cajun P120 Workgroup Switches

The base price of the FusionX3 is   $9,465  x   8  =    $75,720

                                   Multi-function  $ 5,250 x 1 =    $5,250

                                   Workgroup switch $2,395 x 2= $4,790

                                    MMCX Multi-media $24,325=$24,325

                                                                         Total = $110,085.00

All costs are approximate pending individual configuration.

The implementation time is negligible and wholly dependent on delivery time. The servers will come pre-configured to our specifications and will require minor adjustment and programming for our specific needs. Lucent and our company will provide continuing support for the entire network. The costs are actually much less than expected since we were basically starting from scratch. Because of this factor, the company has given us more leeway on the cost of final installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.

The cost and time of the project have been completely justified because of the tremendous leap in capabilities that the company will benefit from.