How do I design a computer network for a school?

Question

I'm taking a network and configurations class, and the final project is to build a school in which I design the computer network. I have to show a budget for all materials etc. I just dont know where to start. I'm not sure what I need to build a net work. My planned school will be pretty small, maybe 10-12 classrooms, and of course offices and stuff. We dont have to specify the types of computers, the focus is more on the network setup, wiring, wireless, access points etc. Anybody got a clue where I should start? Maybe a good tutorial site? Thanks!

EDITED DETAILS: I'm taking a network and configurations class,(THE CLASS HAS ONLY MET ONE TIME, IT IS JUST BEGINNING. I AM A NEW STUDENT TO AN ALREADY FORMED COHORT. FOR MOST OF THE STUDENTS, THIS IS THEIR LAST CLASS. THIS IS ONLY MY 2ND.) I AM NOT LOOKING FOR A "FREEBIE" OR FOR ANYONE TO DO MY WORK FOR ME. I AM JUST LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS, TUTORIALS, ETC. THANKS!) The final project is to build a school in which I design the computer network. I have to show a budget for all materials etc. I just dont know where to start. I'm not sure what I need to build a net work. My planned school will be pretty small, maybe 10-12 classrooms, and of course offices and stuff. We dont have to specify the types of computers, the focus is more on the network setup, wiring, wireless, access points etc. Anybody got a clue where I should start? Maybe a good tutorial site? Thanks!

Answer 1

Think in terms of an ideal situation. Forget the network at this point. you have 10 to 12 classrooms. An office. The headmaster would like a computer and so would the deputy head. There will be no computer in the staff room because the staff like to relax in there.

So now put a computer in every room. There may have to be two in the office because there are usually two secretaries in a school.
Now what are the computers going to be used for?
Well the office, the headmaster and the deputy head will want to do office stuff, typing, letters and that sort of thing. The class rooms? Well the teachers will have lesson plans that need to be accessed to help them with the specific lesson. They may also want to access documents to help with the lesson.
There is no guarantee who is going to use the classroom computers so you want secure logons for all teachers.
There will be printers in the office. Make these the only printers to centralise printing.
Now connect everything together. As you do this you may realise that you want a server to allow for the logon in the classroom.

That is your network. It all comes down to visualising the use of the network. Once that has been done you need to connect it all together.

I hope this helps.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Start off with a Internet connection(preferably with a large bandwidth). After that, branch it off with routers and wireless access points. Then, at the last branch, the computers.
Connecting the Internet connection would require you to connect the routers and access points to the source of the Internet Connection(preferably a modem or anything else that allows you to directly connect), with Ethernet cables. As for the wireless access points, you would need computers that are equipped with Wi-Fi equipment. After that, the hardware part should be done. Now we work on the software part. Set up the network manually on one computer, and save the settings to disk, and run the settings on other computers.
After that, the network should be pretty much done.

Some routers(wireless or wired) brands are:

-Linksys
-Belkin
-Buffalo
-Netgear

Answer 3

To get you started, here is a history lesson. Apple was number 1 in educational hardware installations. Apple failed to appreciate that schools wouldn't want to extensively remodel older buildings to make a network. In other words, WiFi it. Dell used to, and probably still does, install a docking/charging cabinet for laptops that has wireless capabilities. I'd surf info on that. Good luck. Sounds cool what you're doing.

Answer 4

If you are taking the class, shouldn't you have learned this?

This might get you started.

http://www.lanparty.com/theguide/network3.shtm