You have been hired by your local library to help it set up a LAN to connect its three library sites. The director of the library, Robert Jienwerski, has a good understanding of the jargon used by network installers and administrators. Robert is very excited about the project. During your first meeting with him, he wants you to come up with a feasibility study for the new network before committing a budget to the project. He gives you the following list of questions that he wants answered:

• What expansion of network services and benefits might the library achieve?
• What LAN protocol and related transmission speed are most appropriate for the local libraries: Ethernet, fast Ethernet, or gigabit Ethernet?
• What topology is most appropriate for the LANs and the WAN? What are their merits?
• Explain the elements of the backbone.
• What transmission medium is required for the LAN, UTP or fiber? If it is UTP, what grade? What transmission media and devices are required to create a WAN?

To provide a feasibility study for the new network at the library, let's address each of Robert's questions step by step:

1. What expansion of network services and benefits might the library achieve?
First, analyze the current network services and identify areas for expansion. Consider the following potential benefits:
- Improved inter-site communication and collaboration
- Centralized data storage and access
- Efficient sharing of resources, such as printers and scanners
- Enhanced security and data backup capabilities
- Increased accessibility for library patrons through a public Wi-Fi network

2. What LAN protocol and related transmission speed are most appropriate for the local libraries: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet?
Evaluate the network requirements and the expected data traffic at each library site. Consider the following factors:
- Number of users
- Type and volume of data transmitted
- Current and future network usage patterns

Based on the analysis, you can recommend the most suitable LAN protocol and transmission speed, considering factors such as cost, performance, and scalability. Options to consider include:
- Ethernet (10 Mbps)
- Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps)
- Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps)

3. What topology is most appropriate for the LANs and the WAN? What are their merits?
Evaluate the network topology options based on factors such as scalability, cost, fault tolerance, and ease of management. Common LAN topologies include:
- Star topology: Offers centralized management and easy scalability but relies on a central switch or hub.
- Ring topology: Provides fault tolerance and equal access to resources but might be more complex to manage and expand.
- Bus topology: Simple and cost-effective but can become a single point of failure.

For the WAN, consider options like a point-to-point or mesh topology, depending on the connectivity requirements between library sites. Factors to consider include the physical distance between sites, data traffic volume, and budget.

Discuss the merits of each topology with Robert and recommend the most appropriate option based on the library's needs.

4. Explain the elements of the backbone.
The backbone refers to the main communication pathway within a network infrastructure. Elements of the backbone include:
- Routers: Responsible for directing traffic between different networks or subnets.
- Switches: Used to connect devices within a LAN and manage data flow.
- Cabling: Backbone cabling, usually using fiber optic cables, connects different network segments and provides high-speed data transmission.
- Servers: Store and provide network services, such as file sharing, printing, and data storage.
- Firewalls: Help protect the network from unauthorized access and secure data.

5. What transmission medium is required for the LAN, UTP or fiber? If it is UTP, what grade? What transmission media and devices are required to create a WAN?
Consider the following factors when deciding the transmission medium:
- Distance: Fiber optic cables are suitable for longer distances, while UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cables are commonly used for shorter distances.
- Speed: Fiber optic cables are capable of transmitting data at higher speeds than UTP cables.
- Cost: Fiber optic cables can be more expensive than UTP cables.

Based on the network requirements, recommend the suitable transmission medium for the LAN. If UTP is selected, evaluate the following graded options:
- Cat5e: Supports Gigabit Ethernet and is commonly used.
- Cat6: Offers better performance with higher frequencies, suitable for future upgrades.
- Cat6a: Provides even higher performance and bandwidth, suitable for demanding environments.

To create a WAN, additional transmission media and devices may be required, such as:
- Routers: Used to connect the LANs at different library sites.
- Leased lines or internet service provider (ISP) connections: Required for inter-site connectivity.
- Modem or Network Interface Card (NIC): To connect the WAN transmission medium (e.g., leased line, DSL, or fiber) to the router.

By addressing Robert's questions one by one, you will be able to provide a comprehensive feasibility study for the library's new network.

To conduct a feasibility study for the library's LAN, you will need to answer the following questions:

1. What expansion of network services and benefits might the library achieve?
- To answer this question, you will need to identify the specific goals and requirements of the library. This could include enhancing internet connectivity, enabling file sharing and printer sharing across different sites, implementing a centralized library management system, providing access to online resources, supporting remote access for staff and patrons, etc.

2. What LAN protocol and related transmission speed are most appropriate for the local libraries: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet?
- To determine the appropriate LAN protocol and transmission speed, you will need to consider the library's network requirements such as the number of devices, the expected network traffic, and the desired level of performance. Ethernet is the most basic option, offering network speeds of up to 10 Mbps. Fast Ethernet provides speeds of up to 100 Mbps, while Gigabit Ethernet offers speeds up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps).

3. What topology is most appropriate for the LANs and the WAN? What are their merits?
- The choice of LAN and WAN topology depends on factors like scalability, fault tolerance, cost, and network management. Common LAN topologies include bus, star, and ring, while common WAN topologies include point-to-point and multipoint. Each topology has its own merits, and the choice should be based on the specific needs of the library network.

4. Explain the elements of the backbone.
- The backbone is the primary high-speed connection that interconnects different LAN segments or sites. It typically consists of routers, switches, and high-capacity cables. The backbone allows for efficient communication and data transfer between different parts of the network, facilitating seamless connectivity between library sites.

5. What transmission medium is required for the LAN: UTP or fiber? If UTP, what grade? What transmission media and devices are required to create a WAN?
- The choice of transmission medium for the LAN depends on factors such as distance, bandwidth requirements, cost, and scalability. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) is a common choice for LANs, with different grades (Cat5e, Cat6, etc.) offering varying speeds and performance levels. Alternatively, fiber optic cables can provide higher bandwidth and longer distances, but at a higher cost.

For the WAN, you will need additional transmission media and devices. Depending on the desired connectivity, options include leased lines (T1/E1), DSL, cable or satellite connections, or even VPNs. Routers and switches are typically used to establish and manage WAN connections, ensuring data transmission between different library sites.