CMGTCB/554: It Infrastructure – Competency 1 – Assessment

Narrative Descriptions of Network Diagrams for International Plastics Inc.

The set of network diagrams for International Plastics Inc. consists of five (5) diagrams. They are as follows:

International Plastics Inc. – Network Overview

This diagram shows the 4 physical locations of International Plastics Inc. interconnected by a WAN. The WAN connection between corporate headquarters and the China facility is specifically designed as a satellite link. Along with the location pictorial is a listing of the main functions taking place at that location and the number of current employees. 

International Plastics Inc. Corporate Headquarters

The network diagram for the corporate headquarters is really a composite of a number of sections: Note the backbone base for this location is 100baseT. 

1. The administration section displays the main operational functions (Corporate, HR, etc.) with a computer icon that defines the current number of employees in that function with a description of the computer. There are 36 VOIP telephones in this section. 

2. The R&D function has a 1000baseF network backbone and is a totally MAC-based environment. There are 15 employees each with their computers; the section includes 3 high-end color printers and a plotter. The 1000baseF network is connected to the corporate LAN through a switch.

3. The servers and aNAS include WIN server, a WIN Exchange server, a UNIX server, which hosts the corporate SAP ERP SW. All the servers are IBM servers: the WIN servers are IBM HS20 blade servers and the main UNIX server is an IBM p series. 

4. A UPS provides backup power for the server room.

5. The last section is the communications environment, which has two main parts: the data link to the Satellite base station through a switch and a VOIP router to connect the two facilities with voice. The satellite operates in Ka band and is setup to handle an OC1 data rate with end-to-end encryption. The second part of the communications environment is a router providing a T3 connection through a firewall to the outside network.

International Plastics Inc. – Albany, GA Network Diagram

The Albany network includes 20 office computers for the administration people in the facility. The local server is an HP BL460P blade server, which handles local print; file, exchange and interfaces back to the home office. A local NAS system provides local data backup. A 5KVA UPS is provides for power backup. A link to the router/firewall provides the T2 connection to the outside network. Internally the factory floor is connected to the main LAN through a 24 port Cisco switch. 

International Plastics Inc. – Pontiac MI Network Diagram

The Pontiac network includes 45 office computers for the administration people in the facility. The local server is an HP BL460P blade server, which handles local print, file, exchange and interfaces back to the home office. A local NAS system provided local data backup. A 5KVA UPS is provides for power backup. A link to the router/firewall provides the T2 connection to the outside network. Internally the factory floor is connected to the main LAN through a 24 port Cisco switch. 

International Plastics Inc. China Headquarters 

The network diagram for the China facility is a composite of a number of sections: Note the backbone base for this location is 100baseT. 

1. The administration section displays the main operational functions (Corporate, HR, etc.) with a computer icon that defines the current number of employees in that function with a description of the computer. There are 35 VOIP telephones in this section. 

2. The R&D function has a 1000baseF network backbone and is a totally MAC-based environment. There are 15 employees each with their computers; the section includes 3 high-end color printers and a plotter. The 1000baseF network is connected to the corporate LAN through a switch.

3. The servers and aNAS include WIN server, a WIN Exchange server, a UNIX server, which interfaces to the corporate SAP ERP SW. All the servers are IBM servers: the WIN servers are IBM HS20 blade servers and the main UNIX server is an IBM p series. 

4. A UPS provides backup power for the server room.
5. The last section is the communications environment, which has two main parts: the data link to the Satellite base station through a switch and a VOIP router to connect the two facilities with voice. The satellite operates in Ka band and is setup to handle an OC1 data rate with end-to-end encryption. The second part of the communications environment is a router providing a T3 connection through a firewall to the outside network.

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CMGTCB/554 Competency 1 Assessment and Rubric

Course Title: IT Infrastructure

Competency Assessment Title: Assessment 1 Executive Summary and IT Standards, Protocols, and Recommendations

Assignment Directions

There are 2 parts to the assessment. Complete and save each file separately. Include your name in the upper left corner of each file.

PART 1: Executive Summary of IT Infrastructure

Assessing the current state of the business before starting the full project is a necessity when it comes to working with infrastructure.
International Plastics, Inc., a manufacturing company, hired you as a technology consultant to work with the company to review its resources and
develop a plan for its infrastructure needs. Your first step is to become familiar with the company’s current documentation and provide a status
update to the executives.

Review the ZIP file for International Plastics, Inc. documentation.

Write a 1 to 2-page executive summary of International Plastics’ business requirements for an upcoming discussion with the CEO. As a general
guideline, executive summaries are typically 1 to 2 pages in length, at 12 pt. font, and single-spaced.

Include the following information:

• A high-level description of International Plastics’ current IT Infrastructure, including network, information systems, applications, mobile
computing, data management, business intelligence, and security

• An overview of International Plastics’ operational environment

• An explanation of how a new IT infrastructure will improve business performance

• A chart listing at least three examples of technology hardware upgrades and how they will improve business performance

PART 2: Identifying Current IT Standards and Protocols and Making Recommendations

http://myresource.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/CMGTCB554v1/cmgtcb554_v1_international_plastics_documentation.zip

CMGTCB/554 Competency 1 Rubric
Page 2 of 3

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The International Plastics, Inc. CEO read your executive summary and would like more information. The CEO would like a detailed explanation of
the IT standards, protocols, and communication tools currently in use in the facilities to determine if improvements are needed.

Review the existing International Plastics network diagrams located in the International Plastics, Inc. documents ZIP file. Assess the current
telecommunications protocols, standards, and collaboration tools used for International Plastics. Determine if improvements are needed, and if
so, list your recommendation with how the improvement will affect the standard or protocol (you will use this to prepare the required chart).

Prepare a chart/table, using Microsoft® Word or Microsoft® Excel®, to document at least 6 current standards or protocols used at each location.
Use the following table headings:

• Current Telecommunications Standard, Protocol, or Collaboration Tools

• International Plastics Location

• Recommendation for Improvement with anticipated effects of Improvement

Decide on a recommendation that will have the most beneficial impact to the company.

• Write a 1-page explanation on how you made the decision to move forward with this recommendation. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of this recommendation?

Submit your PART 1: Executive Summary of IT Infrastructure and your PART 2: Identifying Current IT Standards and Protocols and Making
Recommendations.

http://myresource.phoenix.edu/secure/resource/CMGTCB554v1/cmgtcb554_v1_international_plastics_documentation.zip

CMGTCB/554 Competency 1 Rubric
Page 3 of 3

Copyright 2021 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Competency Assessment Rubric

Assignment/Performance Criteria Mastery
100%

Meets Expectations
85%

Not Met
0%

1. Part 1 Executive Summary High
Level Description

(weight 15%)

Included a thorough high-level
description of the elements
International Plastics’ current IT
infrastructure

Included a somewhat high-level
description of the elements
International Plastics’ current IT
infrastructure

Included a scarce high-level
description of the elements
International Plastics’ current IT
infrastructure or did not attempt to
provide a description

2. Part 1 Executive Summary Overview
(weight 15%)

Included a thorough overview if
International Plastics’ operational
environment

Included a partial overview if
International Plastics’ operational
environment

Included a vague overview if
International Plastics’ operational
environment or did not attempt to
provide an overview

3. Part 1 Executive Summary IT
Infrastructure Explanation

(weight 15%)

Thoroughly explained how a new
IT infrastructure will improve
business performance

Partially explained how a new IT
infrastructure will improve
business performance

Vaguely explained how a new IT
infrastructure will improve business
performance or did not attempt to
explain infrastructure

4. Part 1 Executive Summary
Technology Hardware Chart

(weight 10%)

Chart Included 3 examples of
upgrades and thorough
description of how they will
improve business performance

Chart Included 3 examples of
upgrades and partial description of
how they will improve business
performance

Chart Included fewer than 3
examples of upgrades and vague
description of how they will improve
business performance, or did not
attempt to provide chart

5. Part 2 Chart Requirements
(weight 15%)

Chart fully documented 6 or more
standards or protocols using the
table headings specified

Chart partially documented 4 to 6
standards or protocols using the
table headings specified

Chart documented fewer than 4
standards or protocols using the
table headings specified or did not
attempt to document standards or
protocols using required headings

6. Part 2 Chart Recommendations for
Improvement

(weight 15%)

Chart Included thorough
recommendations for
Improvement with anticipated
effects of Improvement

Chart Included partial
recommendations for Improvement
with anticipated effects of
Improvement

Chart Included vague
recommendations for Improvement
with anticipated effects of
Improvement or no attempt was
made to make recommendations

7. Part 2 Explanation
(weight 15%)

Thoroughly explained in 1-page,
the recommendation to benefit
the company with advantages
and disadvantages

Partially explained in 1-page, the
recommendation to benefit the
company with advantages and
disadvantages

Vaguely explained the
recommendation to benefit the
company or made no attempt to
explain the recommendation to
benefit the company