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   1. Fixin Folks Chiropractic Needs Analysis & Design Requirements List

      This paper analyzes Fixin Folks Chiropractic needs and presents the design requirements list for the facility’s local area network. Efficient network designs are significant for smooth operations of health facilities. Large organizations or health facilities require strong networks to cater for a wider range of needs. However, smaller firms require efficient local area networks. In configuring a local area network, factors such as internet connection, type of network, network setup, and security must be taken into consideration (Mehta et al., n.d.). These concerns form a blueprint for fast and efficient networks.      

      Specific Requirements for an Office Network

      Specific System’s Requirements

      1. Four personal computers
      2. Five Laptops
      3. Internet connection
      4. Back up device
      5. Fifteen mobile phones
      6. Four tablets

      Network Technology Required

      1. One Broadband Modem/Router
      2. One 16 Port Network Switch
      3. One Wireless Router
      4. 20 x 10 meter Patch Cables
      5. Four Ethernet over Power Adapters
      6. One Print Server
      7. One File server
      8. Network Interface Cards
      9. Hubs
      10. Concentrators

      The configuration of the network in Fixin Folks health facility must meet specific requirements. Some of the requirements include internet connection, type of network, network setup and security. Figure 1 below shows the proposed local area network design for Fixin Folks health facility

      Figure 1: Proposed Local area network design for Fixin Folks health facility

      There is need for a strong internet connection to serve the doctors, therapists, office administrators, and patients within the health facility (Martin, 2019). A fast internet connection will ensure that data sharing between patients and doctors is efficient. With the advancement in technology to paperless records, information on the diagnosis of patients can be shared through the internet. The data is captured using tablets then transmitted to the server. Besides, strong internet connectivity allows the electronic sharing of data between health care providers in the hospital (Martin, 2019). Doctors, therapists, and office administrators can thus hold conferences virtually through online platforms. Also, the information obtained from the consultation room can be easily transferred from tablets to the server directly. Doctors in the consultation room can then fetch the data from the server to aid them in diagnosing patients effectively (Martin, 2019). Moreover, the best network needed for the Fixin Folks facility is a local area network that has a combination of a 16 port switch, a wireless router, a server, and an internet service provider (ISP). Furthermore, there is a need to use tablets to ensure that data collected from patients is synchronized and accessible by health practitioners (Martin, 2019). Besides, doctors can link a patient’s mobile phone using a health recording system giving him full diagnostic information as well as recovery information. The same case applies to tablets. As technology advances, the need to share files, documents and printers arise. For a typical local area network setup, there should be a file server that allows doctors, therapists, office administrators, and other health practitioners to access data (Setting up a Small Office Network, n.d.). Diagnostic information containing the health history of patients should also be accessible from the file server at a click of a button.

      Bandwidth

      A good local area network should run at a speed of 100 Megabytes per second (Mbps), 1Gigabyte per second, or 10Gigabytes per second. However, that of a wireless local area network ranges between 5.7 to 6.08 Gigahertz (Peng et al., 2016). The band of a configured network is proportional to the type of cabling used, routers, switches, bridges, hubs, and repeaters. 

      Budget Considerations

      In the implementation of the local area network, all devices and cables should be within a standard budget. This eliminates cost overruns after the setup of the network. Also, the devices should be installed to support scalability. A scalable local area network allows new computers, printers, switches, and routers to be added without having to incur extra costs. To save on cabling costs, it is advisable to use CAT 6 cables. The cables are strong and can withstand interference triggered by cross-talk. Moreover, CAT6 cables minimize data packet losses. However, in case there is a need for a high-performance network, the fiber optic cables should be used (Setting up a Small Office Network, n.d.). Besides, fiber optic cables give larger bandwidths that enhance the faster transfer of data. A major disadvantage of using fiber optic cables is that they require relatively expensive network interface cards (Setting up a Small Office Network, n.d.). Therefore, budget considerations should be taken before going for a fiber optic cable. When implementing a particular cabling system, the current and future infrastructure needs should be carefully contemplated. The cost of implementing the local area network should be viable and should not overstretch the organization’s resources.

      Description of Network Requirements

      Meeting the network requirements of a local area network is essential to allow the functionality of devices and the sharing of data between different users. Wireless access should be granted to all patients visiting the hospital. However, access should be given to patients after their details have been input into the file server (Mehta et al., n.d.). To avoid compromising confidential data, the level of access for other individuals should be restricted by the network administrator. Such limitations prevent external attacks and information theft. Additionally, network storage should have folders where medical practitioners store information accessible to all authorized staff (Mehta et al., n.d.). For instance, once a therapist has checked on a patient and recorded in the tablet, it should be automatically stored in the file server (Mehta et al., n.d.). A doctor should then be able to fetch this information, match it with that from the laboratory, and give the appropriate diagnosis. With strong local area networks, version controlling minimizes the movement of medical staff from one place to another. It lets them share data remotely (Mehta et al., n.d.). Moreover, the network switch ensures there is connectivity between the broadband router and wireless router, other devices such as desktop computers, mobile phones, and tablets. Subsequently, the linked devices can share data seamlessly across the network. Besides, the wireless router connects devices within a facility without the application of wires (Qiaoyu, 2017). Also, it reduces the physical space that is normally occupied by wires. Furthermore, patch cables terminated by RJ-45 are applicable in connecting a network port and devices such as desktop computers and laptops (Mehta et al., n.d.). Also, Ethernet over-power adapters allow the use of normal electrical cables instead of using network cables. Its application is significant in areas where network cables cannot easily penetrate. Besides, a print server allows computers to connect to a printer. In a hospital setup, doctors and other health practitioners can print their documents from any location as long as they are connected to the local area network. A file server stores patients’ health records and documents. Hubs and concentrators can also broadcast packets to devices in a network although they are not as efficient as switches. All these requirements make a local area network suitable for a small health facility.

      Conclusion

      Bandwidth and budget considerations are fundamental in the design of a local area network. Therefore, a network administrator should choose a network design type that is cost-effective and affordable for a health facility. For hospitals without branches, implementing a local area network is the most appropriate step. Such a network, requires broadband modems, wireless routers, switches, patch cables, hubs, concentrators, and bridges.