Computational Thinking for Information Technology

COMPUTATIONAL THINKING

FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

HOME | OBJECTIVES | WELCOME | TASK 1 | TASK 2 | TASK 3 | TASK 4 | TASK 5 | HELP

STUDENT SCENARIO:NETWORK DESIGN

In this scenario, you have been hired as part of a consulting team to design a data center for the campus.

Luis Robison is the CEO and will be your guide and virtual supervisor for the lesson. Your instructor will

be your project manager.


ObjectivesThis course will enable you to develop logical thinking skills, including:• Asking probing questions to uncover details of a problem• Clearly defining a problem• Defining clear success criteria for the project including

measurable objectives• Making design decisions based on rational criteria• Identifying available resources


Objectives (cont.)This course will enable you to develop logical thinking skills, including:• Developing a solution that uses only available resources• Measuring and evaluating solutions against the success

criteria• Adjusting the design and implementation as needed


WELCOME

Welcome Message | About Us | Client Requirements


Hello, I’m Luis. Welcome aboard! We’re very excited

have you on our team.


WelcomeNetwork Design Company (NDC) specializes in network design and architecture. You have been hired to be part of next big project, design of a data center. As a team member you will gain and share experience. NDC would like to welcome you to our company and is looking forward to working with you.


About UsUEFY is a major cloud services provider in our region. UEFY will be moving its major data center to a new facility at the beginning of next year. UEFY has chosen our Network Design Company to design the new data center after carefully examining our reputation, enormous talent and expertise we have at our company. As a CEO of NetworkDesigns Inc., I am extremely excited to share this great news. On the other hand time is short and we must get started on the project as soon as possible.


Client RequirementsThe new data center will have a capacity of 10000 physical servers. The form factor for all the servers will be 19 inch 4U. Each server will have 2 Gigabit LanOnMotherboard (LoM) interfaces and 1 management interface. Each interface will require aunique IP address. The form factor for UPS will be 2U and all the other networking equipment (routers switches, patch panels, etc.) will be 1U.


Client RequirementsThe facility will also have 6 IP enabled PoE fire alarms and 12 IP enabled PoE cameras. All the switches and patch panels will have 24 ports.

The client is planning to use rack enclosures and each rack is expected to have a 1U Rack Mount Pullout LCD Monitor and Keyboard. You are encouraged by the client to fill in any missing details.

The design must be documented using Microsoft Visio.


Client RequirementsThe facility will also have 6 IP enabled PoE fire alarms and 12 IP enabled PoE cameras. All the switches and patch panels will have 24 ports.

The client is planning to use rack enclosures and each rack is expected to have a 1U Rack Mount Pullout LCD Monitor and Keyboard. You are encouraged by the client to fill in any missing details.

The design must be documented using Microsoft Visio.


Ready to get started? Your first

task awaits!


TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTSAs you know, you have been chosen to design a

data center for the college.

Please complete all the steps to the tasks, and be sure to discuss any obstacles with your

project manager. Each task will have deliverables, action items and a debrief section.


TASK 1: IP ADDRESSING SCHEME

For this task, you will define IP addressing for the data center. Use the resources given and the grading checklist as a guide for the task.


OverviewAs a team, your first task is to design Layer 3 addressing (IP addressing) for the data center. The client would like to use a Class B IP address specified by RFC 1918. The client would like to subnet the data center to simplify administration, troubleshooting and improve security. The design should be easy to troubleshoot and allow for future expansion and growth.


DeliverablesSubmit a document describing the design choices you made and justifications for each choice made. The document must show how many IP addresses and subnets will be needed, and the calculations done to obtain subnets’ starting and ending IP addresses.


DebriefReflect on what you've learned about this task by discussing the following questions with your colleagues after you are finished:

1. What was the motivation for RFC 1918?

2. What is Private IP Address Space?

3. What are the advantage and disadvantages of using Private Address Space?

4. What are the benefits and drawbacks of subnetting?


Great job. It’s time for your next task.


TASK 2: SERVER RACK DESIGN

For this task, you will design a sample server rack. Use the resources given and the grading

matrix as a guide for your work on the task.


OverviewGreat job on Task 1. The client has approved your design, which brings us to the second stage of the project. Second task is to design a sample server rack. Select a suitable rack and add an appropriate number of servers, UPS, patch panels, switches, display panels etc. to it. Also determine the number of server racks required.


DeliverablesSubmit a sample server rack design, created using Microsoft Visio, for client approval. The rack design must clearly depict the number of servers, switches, patch panels, etc. The client has also requested a document listing the justifications for the design choices made and calculations done.


DebriefReflect on what you've learned about this task by discussing the following questions with your colleagues after you are finished:

1. What are the difference types of racks commercially available?

2. What factors are involved in choosing an appropriate rack?

3. Which companies manufacture racks?


You’re doing well. Next we’ll move on

to Task 3.


TASK 3: FLOOR PLAN DESIGN

For this task, you will design a detailed floor plan. Use the resources given and the grading

matrix as a guide for your work on the task.


OverviewThe building acquired by UEFY has an open floor plan. The client has requested our firm to design the detailed floor plan. The building will be 360 by 160 feet (size of a football field). In addition to server rooms the building must include amenities such as conference rooms, lobby, break room with vending machines, offices for the server and network administrators and technicians, offices for security personal etc. The floor plan must also show the location of fire alarms and security cameras.


Overview (cont.)The server room layout must correctly depict the number of server racks required and their physical layout. The design must also identify the location and size of components of the cabling plant (telecommunication closets, equipment rooms, etc). The server farm will be subnetted to simplify administration, troubleshooting and improve security, keep this in mind while determining the number of telecommunication closets.


DeliverablesSubmit a detailed floor plan using Microsoft Visio for client approval along with the justifications for the choices made. Our design will be handed over to a company that will design other components such as redundant power systems, battery banks, electrical power distribution systems, HVAC system etc. Therefore, be as precise and detailed as possible.


DebriefReflect on what you've learned about this task by discussing the following questions with your colleagues after you complete the task:1. NOTE: THERE WERE NO QUESTIONS

LISTED. NEED TO ENTER QUESTIONS.


Nice job. Let’s move on to Task 4.


TASK 4: STRUCTURED CABLING DESIGN

The client is extremely pleased with the submitted floor plan design and would like you to proceed with the design of the cabling plant.


OverviewIn this task, you will proceed with the design of the cabling plant using TIA/EIA 568 standards. The first step in the design process would be the design of a sample equipment rack. The design must clearly show how many switches, UPS, patch panel etc., a rack would have and how many racks would be needed. The deliverable must also include suggestions about the type of media and how it connects various cabling plant components.


DeliverablesSubmit a detailed cabling plant design using Microsoft Visio for client approval along with the justifications for the choices made. The design must include a sample equipment rack and the layout of the racks in the telecommunication closet and equipment room. Therefore, be as precise and detailed as possible.


DebriefReflect on what you've learned about this task by discussing the following questions with your colleagues after you complete the task:1. Why is it necessary to have standards?2. Did the TIA/EIA 568 Standard force you

to abandon certain ideas? Ideas that you think would have improved the design.


Great job on the deliverables. Now it’s time to present.


TASK 5: REPORT AND PRESENTATION

Thanks to your hard work we have completed all the phases of the design. Time has now

come to present this work to the client.


DeliverablesThere are two deliverables for this task:1. Compile a report of all the work

completed so far in professional manner

2. Make a presentation to the client to defend the relevance of your work

Consult the evaluation grid to make sure you address the correct points in your report and presentation.


INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

eMail:

Phone:

Office location:

Office hours:

Other info:


Documents

Computational Thinking for Information Technology