The network consists of a local server, a switch, a router, two printers, four terminals and a portable device. The system supports immediate addition of more devices if necessary without any reconfiguration up to a total number of eight.

There is full internet access from the inside of the network through the router which is strictly firewalled only allowing specific traffic to the network from the outside. For the better protection of the network as well as economic reasons there is only one internet address assigned and shared through Network Address Translation. The address is static in order for Virtual Private Networks to be setup to remote locations.

The lan server is responsible for DNS (Domain Name Services) which are required by a VAS device (car CPU programmer) and other services to the network users. Also NMS (Network Management Services) are configured on the main server such as logging and mail systems for administrative monitoring purposes.

There are also two printers connected to the network, a black and white laser printer and a color inkjet printer allowing for economy printing facilities.

The equipment chosen for this project is described below:

• Cisco router 876 SEC-K9
• 3COM Switch 8-port
• HP Proliant DL380 G2 server with 2 PSU and 2 SCSI 72.8GB HDDs on RAID1