Patton-Fuller_Community_Hospital_Integrative_Network_Design

Patton-Fuller Community Hospital Integrative Network Design By: Sarah L. Morris Telecommunications July 30, 2012 Patton-Fuller Community Hospital Integrative Network Design The backbone of the network structure for Patton-Fuller Community Hospital is the 1000 BaseT. The 1000 BaseT is a Gigabit Ethernet on copper cables and uses four pairs of Category5 (unshielded twisted pair) in order to achieve the gigabit data rate of the 1000 BaseT. The network structure is divided into individual sections of the departmental networks that use different types of the 1000Base. There is a power backup system with an automatic cutover to a large diesel motor generator set in order to ensure completely power and functionality when necessary. Patton-Fuller Community Hospital has decided to take a review of the current network structure that is in place to analyze that the structure is proper, efficiently and effective for the everyday operation of the hospital. Network Fundamental Characteristics The network of the hospital is important for the day-to-day operations and is essential for efficiently and effectively running a sound hospital. The hospital needs to maintain and effectively distribute the data throughout the hospital and the network is the hospital accomplishes this. The 1000BASE-T can be used in data centers for server switching. In addition the 1000Base-T is used for uplinks from desktop computer switches, or for directly to the desktop for broadband applications. One of the advantages of using the 1000BASE-T is that existing copper cabling can be used instead of having to rewire with optical fiber and this helps to reduce cost when changing from a different system to the 1000Base-T system. The 1000Base system design is an IEEE shorthand identifier. The “1000” in the system refers to the transmission speed of 1000 Mbps. The Base in the system refers to the baseband signaling that means that only Ethernet signals are carried on the medium of the system. However, with repeaters, the media segments of different physical types can be used sometimes in the same system. Network Fundamental Components The network is divided between the different departments of the hospital and make up the characteristics of the network as a whole, however since the network is broken down for the different departments, this enables the use and design of different components to be available where necessary and used properly with the network system. The individual departments have local UPS as depicted on the individual department network diagrams. The HIPAA is rigorously enforced in all departments. All the patient data files are encrypted for storage using AES and kept confidential and secured on the network. All access to patient data files requires identification and authentication of each user. In addition all of the Radiology modalities the DICOM standard and PACS are standard. All departments on the 1000Base system are using MAC and Apple systems and configurations. Each department network system requires the Ethernet capabilities. In addition the system requires a Network Gateway to connect all the departments together. The IT Data Center system requires the 1000BaseT system with a CAT 6 cable connection. In addition this department runs both IBM and MAC systems to complete and operate properly with the network system. This department has a 10 Tera Byte NAS system, RAS Server, Cisco routers, Network Gateway that connects the 1000BaseF Fiber Network from all the Clinical Networks in the hospital. The OR, ICU and Ward floors of the hospital require the 1000BaseF with a single mode fiber connection. In addition to the 1000BaseF system these departments have a wireless access point built in, and 1 network connection requirement in all the patient rooms. All the workstations and imaging stations run off the MAC capabilities to complete the floors functions and tasks. The Radiology Floor of the hospital also runs the 1000BaseF system with the single mode fiber connections. All the specific departments under this department require the MAC and Apple capabilities for a system with a local imaging and print capabilities. All of the components and systems require the Ethernet connection as well to complete the transmission of signal and transfer of data back and forth. The last department depended on this system is the RIS Data Center. The RIS Data Center also runs the 1000BaseF single mode fiber system. In addition the computers and systems are MAC and Apple based. The RIS Data Center also has a 10 Tera Byte Disk Storage, Apple Custer Servers, APC UPS backup, and two printers (one for imaging and one for regular printing). Evaluation of the Current Network Topology The current network topology of the hospital and all the inner departments is important to ensure that the devices, technology and systems are working properly and effective for what the need and purpose are for the daily operations. Currently the network system requires two 1000Base systems to complete the transmissions required from all different departments. The 1000BaseT and the 1000BaseF are both shared switches however the 1000BaseT is also an IP subnet. Both systems work well and effectively together and serve each department accordingly. Since the 1000BaseT has an IP subnet the only department that runs this system is the IT Data Center which is the only department that requires the IP subnet capabilities. Description of the Standards (Describe the standards applicable to this project) The standards for the 1000BaseT is that the gigabit over the twisted pair for the Ethernet. The standard for the 1000BaseF is that 100 Mbps over the twisted pair for the Ethernet. Looking at both the 1000BaseT and 1000BaseF systems, there is not a lot of difference between the two however the 1000BaseT requires more than the 1000BaseF. Based on the standards for both of the systems, the hospital provides an adequate need to meet these standards for both systems. The Ethernet (IEEE 802.3 Local Area Network (LAN) protocols and standards are that one mode of operation is the half duplex mode and the other mode of operation is the full-duplex mode. There are four rates that are currently defined for the operation over the optical fiber and twisted-pair cables that are: 10 Mbps (10Base-T Ethernet/IEEE 802.3); 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet/IEEE 802.3u); 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet/IEEE802.3z); 10-Gigabit (10 Gbps Ethernet/IEEE 802.3ae). The Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps/IEEE 802.3u) is the 1000BaseT system and offers a speed increase of ten times that of the 10BaseT Ethernet system and still allows for preservation of qualities such as frame format, MAC mechanisms, and MTU. This standard is ideal for a hospital environment since the requirement of all personnel being able to locate, send, and transmit the necessary data from one department to another is necessary. The 1000BaseT offers several access methods since this system is based on the CSMA/CD LAN. The different cabling schemes that can be used for this system are: 100Base-TX which has two pairs of high-quality twisted-pair wires; 100Base-T4 which has four pairs of normal-quality twisted-pair cables and the 100Base-FX has a fiber optic cable. Conclusion The network system of any business is important to the daily operations and security of the data that is being transmitted throughout the network. The initial system needs to be adequate and reliable for the hospital to keep daily operations functional. In addition to the functionality of the daily operations the security of the network system is also just as important to the hospital and all the employees and patients within the hospital. The network design currently being used at the hospital is adequate but there is never a perfect system. Improvements can always be accomplished with any system and therefore, the system needs to always go under review periodically to ensure that the system is adequate for the current functions, employees, patients and data within the network. Reference Page Apollo College. (2012). Patton-Fuller Community Hospital. Retrieved from Apollo College, NTC 362 website.