AO "community project": build a (virtual) network from scratch

In an effort to stimulate technical discussion, I'd like to propose a "community project":
What I had in mind is to build a "put yourself in context" scenario/exercise in which everyone can contribute his ideas and discuss possibilities with each other. I was thinking something like how would you build a network (infrastructure) from scratch while on a limited budget and having to fullfil certain requirements: It must serv X number of users, in Y groups, have internet access, host it's own web (and ftp?) servers with W number of hits/day, must be secure (to possible extenet of course, but describe why you feel this is secure enough and/or an acceptable risk), describe what types of system you would use (OS... why?), the network topology, ACLs, policies, network surveillance/and monitoring systems (software, hardware), remote access possibilities, network map etc.

Of course a more detailed profile of the purpose of the network would be needed but you get the idea...

I think it would be a good oportunity for experienced members to share there knowledge and greate learning opportunity for others to learn and ask questions.

This might also provide a good place to tie in much of the tutorials: "I'd put a snort IDS box on that segment"-> link to a snort tutorial, "Configure the firewall to allow/deny so and so"-> link to firewall tut (you get the idea)...


Well, what do you think?
Do you like the idea? Would you get into it? Could you learn from this?


Ammo

ammo you all ready know i think this idea is briiliant it could really bring back the techy side and get the comunity better aquanted with each other all in all a really good idea :thumbsup:
i also think a lot of people new and senior alike could benifit from all the info

EDIT:I should have voted for option 2 in the poll i was just exited with the idea and voted on the first answer =/

This is a great idea and is sure to get the topic of discussion back to the level it was.
Im definitely up for it and im sure everyone else will share the same opinion because of the benefits for all.

r3b00+

I think it's a great idea.I've been been doing a lot of reading about networking,and am thinking about going for a cert in that area soon,so it would give me an oppurtunity to test what I've learned,and more importantly it would be a great way to bring everybody together to share their knowledge and learn.

Do you have any ideas as to how it's going to be done(ie. just open discussion,voting,a little of both)?

Just to throw an idea for a scenario out on the table,I think an up and coming insurance company/bank with a high likleyhood of rapid expansion would be a good idea.Most up and coming companys would be on a tight budget,a bank or insurance company is going to need the best security it can get,and there would be quite a few users on a network of that type with different levels of access and areas of expertise.Just an idea.

It's a really exciting project (which could raise the level of discussions). Everybody needs will probably learn something of this and, as it is always necessary to study the theory of a network before building it, it will probably help a lot of people even for the most experienced members.
Ah, if only I had less work, I would already have begun to recompile my networks structures infos.

Great idea I eagerly await "AO community project #1". Maybe we could place the finished project in the newsletter.

Quote:

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Originally posted here by gghornet
Do you have any ideas as to how it's going to be done(ie. just open discussion,voting,a little of both)?

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I/We haven't decided on a "format" for the project yet... Right now I am/was just interested in knowing if people are interested... Since the idea seems to be taking on, I guess I/we'll start planning :)


Ammo

Count me in :)

Perhaps the program and/or source could then be donated to a school or a library or something like that.

I do have limited experience working with projects like this, mostly thanks to sourceforge.net. The general idea there is that a project coordinator comes up with a document during the planning stage in which he/she outlines the project and available positions. Applicants then email the coordiantor who selects the most (or sometimes the least) qualified applicant.

The project would also need positions like document writers and/or translators, graphic deesigners, distrtibutors, promoters, web designers, and a host of other talents not directly related to programming. I'm pretty sure anybody who is willing to help is also able.

Where should we send info on how we would be able to help? (If everybody posts it here, this thread will quickly exceed the 100 post mark... rather tedious)

Did I mention that I think it's a great idea?

Striek,

It's not about programming something, it's about describing the process of building a network from scratch: deciding the topology, the hardware and software to be used, elaborate on security systems to be used... Sharing what you know and learning from what others know...

Ammo

You've got my vote ammo...

As long as this isn't another "set up a home network" thing, I'd like to help. Maybe something like a small to med. size network on the cheap made to be easily expandable. Windows clients and *nix fileservers and firewalls. Integrating OSs. hardware routers, nix routers nt routers Maybe different scenerios with everyone who wanted to contribute submitting an entry to you after the basic network/s have been discribed. or even before if you tie them together. Something like this would require a project manager, there are many here who are qualified myself excluded. This person could link the appropriate article to each of the networks it applied too in the correct order of execution.

just a thought but ill support any idea...except a home network, a SOHO scenerio could always be adapted for the home.

an afterthought: if all who contribute made each entry a standalone tut, the co-ordinator could link them all together in a master tut, everyone maybe could sumit their ideas before going threw all the work to prevent duplication and increase the amount of knowledge the project gives

I think a better way to do it, from an educational standpoint, would be having the more expereinced people in thier field not submit ideas, but rather encourage those of us with less experience to submit them for instead and subject them to peer review. I think this would better serve both ends of the spectrum, as those with more experience would benefit from auditing the ideas from inexperienced people, something most of us are not capable of yet. To actually produce the independent thought and creativity to design parts of this network would be much more beneficial than simply reading someone else's work. Those with more experience would not be wasting time posting tutorials that few would learn anything from, but rather responding to someone else's idea who has shown a genuine interest in learning how to do this. The final product could then be decided by selecting the best -finished- proposals submitted by a mutually agreeable process.

It would also provide a means for those who contribute more to learn more from it. I think this would provide more opportunity to learn from the experience for all involved, and would also improve the finished product.

sounds like an excellant idea.....good way to teach/learn...specially us n00bs...i dont have alot of ideas for the topology but want to listen toother ideas to learn--

fiz

Tedob, that's the idea: I'm thinking 100~200 users... I agree that a home lan would be quite boring...

Ammo

ammo i like the idea!
Please,please dont let this idea die
regards
Mike

I think this is a great Idea...

This will be interesting ...

:-)

Its a great idea, ill help on any thing that i can. It should turn out really good:)

last year for a network class, our teacher had us oufit a library in gig harbor, essentially giving us a blueprint of the library, giving a list of what equipment was available and what was needed. we then had to plan out our cable runs, look up the equipment we would need (including tools, jacks, etc.), price and specs of each. i can offer up what i came up wit as it might help the cause.

we will be creating the situation or using a real life scenario? i am not objectionable to either, but in one respect, a real life scenario could be rather interesting, but the legality is a question...

i would like to suggest incorporating 802.11b as i would be interested to hear everyone's solutions to the security problems.

also, connectivity to WAN and remote networking should be involved. say we have a company with LANs in three different countries. that would force people to get acquainted with various laws and regulations.

Definitely sounds like a great idea and I think alot of people who are studying network administration or even a wider range of subjects can learn alot from this. Count me in, without doubt! :)