This proposal outlines the network infrastructure plan for a new commercial office expansion in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It covers topology selection, ISP evaluation, hardware and software recommendations, printing, and the support structure for telecommunications and team collaboration — all designed around reliability, security, and scalability.
Business requirements
The Fayetteville office needed a network environment that could support consistent team communication, protect sensitive business data, and scale as the organization grew. Dependability and security were non-negotiable; the design also had to accommodate teleconferencing and collaborative workflows from day one.
Topology: Star network
A star topology was selected as the optimal design for this office. All devices connect to a central switch, making the network straightforward to manage, troubleshoot, and expand. A single device failure doesn't affect the rest of the network, and isolating problems is faster compared to bus or ring alternatives. For a new office environment where the IT team may be lean, this simplicity is a practical advantage.
ISP selection: CenturyLink Business Fiber
CenturyLink was selected as the internet service provider based on three criteria: speed, reliability, and scalability. Their Business Fiber service provides up to 1 Gbps throughput and a 99.9% uptime guarantee — sufficient for teleconferencing, file sharing, and cloud-dependent operations. That bandwidth ceiling also leaves headroom for growth without requiring an ISP change during expansion.
Hardware and software recommendations
| Component | Recommendation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Modem | CenturyLink fiber modem | ISP gateway |
| Switching | Smart managed switches with patch panels | Reliable wired device connectivity |
| Operating system | Windows 11 | Staff workstations |
| Drive encryption | BitLocker Drive Encryption | Data protection at rest |
| Remote access | VPN capability | Secure off-site connectivity |
| Printing | Brother DCPL5500DN laser printers | Network printing with security features |
BitLocker was specifically included to protect data in the event of device loss or theft — a risk that applies especially in a new office environment where physical security may still be maturing. The VPN layer ensures remote workers and traveling staff can connect without exposing the internal network.
Teleconferencing and collaboration
The 1 Gbps CenturyLink connection provides the bandwidth headroom needed for simultaneous video conferencing across the team. Network planning accounted for this as a baseline use case, not an afterthought.
Scalability and contingency planning
The star topology and managed switching infrastructure were chosen with growth in mind. Adding devices or expanding segments doesn't require redesigning the core. The proposal also acknowledged that unexpected issues arise during any new office buildout, with contingency planning built into the deployment timeline.
Why this project matters
This project demonstrates the ability to scope and specify a complete network environment from the ground up — making decisions across topology, ISP, hardware, security software, and user-facing services, and explaining the reasoning behind each choice. That kind of end-to-end thinking is directly applicable to infrastructure planning, IT support, and network administration work.