🏠 Home Networking Project: Design and Setup of a Home Network
🎯 Project Objective:
Set up a secure, functional home network supporting:
- Internet access for multiple devices
- Wireless and wired connectivity
- File and printer sharing
- Parental controls and guest network
📝 Project Scenario:
You want to create a home network for:
- 4-5 devices (laptops, smartphones, smart TV)
- Wired connection for desktop PC and smart TV
- Wireless for mobile devices and guests
- Secure the network from unauthorized access
🧱 Project Components:
- Router with Wi-Fi capability
- Switch (optional if you want more wired ports)
- Ethernet cables (Cat5e or Cat6)
- Devices: PCs, smartphones, smart TV, printer
- Network printer or shared printer via PC
🖥️ Network Design:
- Router connects to Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- Router acts as DHCP server for IP address assignment
- Wired devices connect to router LAN ports (or switch connected to router)
- Wireless devices connect via Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz)
- Create a separate guest network SSID for visitors
🔐 Security Setup:
- Use WPA3 or WPA2 encryption for Wi-Fi
- Strong Wi-Fi password
- Change default router admin password
- Enable guest network isolation (no access to main network)
- Enable firewall on router
- Optionally, set parental controls for specific devices or times
🔄 IP Addressing:
- Use DHCP for automatic IP assignment
- Optionally, assign static IPs to devices like printer or desktop
🔧 Configuration Steps:
- Connect router to modem and power it on
- Connect wired devices via Ethernet cables
- Configure router’s Wi-Fi SSID and password
- Enable guest network with separate SSID and password
- Set up DHCP and optionally static IPs
- Configure firewall and parental controls
- Test internet access and connectivity on all devices
- Set up file sharing or printer sharing if needed
🧪 Testing:
- Ping devices on network to confirm connectivity
- Test internet speed and access
- Check guest network isolation
- Verify parental controls work
- Test printer access from different devices
📁 Deliverables:
- Network diagram showing connections and IP ranges
- Router and device configuration summary
- Security setup documentation
- Test results and troubleshooting notes
🗺️ Network Diagram Template
1. Title & Legend
| Title: | Home Network Diagram (or Small Office Network) |
|---|
| Legend: | Symbol | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ⬢ | Circle | Router/Firewall |
| ▭ | Square | Switch |
| 📶 | Wi-Fi symbol | Wireless Access Point (WAP) |
| 🖥️ | PC/Monitor | Desktop or Laptop device |
| 📱 | Phone symbol | Smartphone/Tablet |
| 🖨️ | Printer icon | Network Printer |
| ☁️ | Cloud symbol | Internet |
2. Diagram Layout
lessCopyEdit [Internet Cloud]
☁️
|
[Router] ⬢
/ | \
[Switch] ▭ [Wi-Fi AP] 📶 [Modem] (optional)
/ | \ / | \
PC1 PC2 Printer Laptop1 Phone1 Phone2
🖥️ 🖥️ 🖨️ 🖥️ 📱 📱
3. Details to Include
- Device names and IP addresses (optional)
- Connection types:
- Wired (solid line)
- Wireless (dashed line)
- Network segments / VLANs (if applicable)
- SSID names for wireless networks
- Security elements (firewall, VPN)
4. Example (Text-based)
| Device | IP Address | Connection Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Router (⬢) | 192.168.1.1 | Wired/Wireless | DHCP enabled |
| Switch (▭) | 192.168.1.2 | Wired | Connects wired PCs |
| Laptop1 (🖥️) | DHCP | Wi-Fi | Wireless client |
| Printer (🖨️) | 192.168.1.50 | Wired | Shared printer |
| Phone1 (📱) | DHCP | Wi-Fi | Mobile device |
🔐 Adding Cybersecurity to Your Business Network Project
1. Risk Assessment
- Identify critical assets (data, servers, devices)
- Evaluate threats (malware, phishing, insider threats)
- Determine vulnerabilities (outdated software, weak passwords)
2. Access Control
- Implement strong authentication (complex passwords, MFA)
- Define user roles and permissions (least privilege principle)
- Use network segmentation (VLANs) to limit access between departments
3. Network Security Controls
- Firewall: Configure to filter and monitor traffic
- Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
- Virtual Private Network (VPN) for secure remote access
- Secure Wi-Fi: WPA3 encryption, hidden SSID, guest network isolation
- Network Access Control (NAC) to authenticate devices before access
4. Endpoint Security
- Install and update antivirus/anti-malware software on all devices
- Enforce automatic software updates and patches
- Use device encryption for sensitive data
5. Data Protection
- Encrypt sensitive data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest
- Regular backups stored securely offsite or in the cloud
- Define data retention and destruction policies
6. Monitoring & Logging
- Set up centralized logging of network activity
- Use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools
- Regularly review logs for suspicious activity
7. Incident Response Plan
- Define steps to detect, contain, eradicate, and recover from security incidents
- Assign roles and communication channels
- Conduct drills and update the plan regularly
8. User Training & Awareness
- Conduct cybersecurity awareness training
- Teach users about phishing, social engineering, and safe internet habits
📝 Example: Cybersecurity Additions to Network Project Deliverables
| Item | Cybersecurity Aspect |
|---|---|
| Network Diagram | Include firewall, VPN gateway, and IDS placement |
| Configuration | Firewall rules, access control lists (ACLs), VPN settings |
| Policies | Password policy, user access policy, patch management schedule |
| Test Plan | Penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, phishing simulations |
| Documentation | Incident response procedures, user training logs |
Cybersecurity Policy
1. Purpose
This policy establishes the security standards and procedures to protect the organization’s information assets and technology infrastructure from cyber threats.
2. Scope
Applies to all employees, contractors, and devices connected to the corporate network or accessing corporate data.
3. Roles & Responsibilities
- IT Team: Implement and maintain security controls.
- Employees: Follow security best practices and report incidents.
- Management: Enforce compliance and support training.
4. Acceptable Use
- Use company resources for business purposes only.
- Do not install unauthorized software.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments.
5. Access Control
- Use strong passwords (min 12 characters, mix of letters, numbers, symbols).
- Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) required for remote access.
- Access granted on a need-to-know basis.
- Regular review of access rights.
6. Network Security
- Firewalls must be enabled and properly configured.
- VPN is mandatory for remote connections.
- Wireless networks must use WPA3 encryption.
- Guest networks must be isolated from the main network.
7. Endpoint Security
- Antivirus software must be installed and updated on all devices.
- Devices must be regularly patched and updated.
- Unauthorized devices are prohibited.
8. Data Protection
- Sensitive data must be encrypted in transit and at rest.
- Regular backups must be performed and tested.
- Data retention schedules must be followed.
9. Incident Response
- All security incidents must be reported immediately to IT.
- IT will follow the incident response plan to investigate and mitigate threats.
- Lessons learned will be documented and policies updated.
10. Training and Awareness
- Mandatory cybersecurity training for all employees annually.
- Periodic phishing tests and security reminders.
11. Compliance
- Non-compliance with this policy may result in disciplinary action.
- This policy is reviewed annually.
2. Network Diagram with Security Layers
I generated a simple network diagram image including key security components. Here’s a description and what it covers:
Diagram Description:
lessCopyEdit [Internet]
☁️
|
[Firewall] ⬢
|
---------------------------------------
| |
[Router] ⬢ [VPN Server]
| |
[Switch] ▭ Remote Employees
/ | \
PC1 Printer Wi-Fi AP 📶
| | |
Employee Devices Guest Network (isolated)
Security Layers Included:
- Firewall: Controls traffic between internet and internal network
- VPN Server: Secures remote access with encryption
- Wi-Fi Access Point: Separate SSIDs for employees and guests with WPA3
- Switch: Network segmentation (e.g., VLANs)
- Endpoint Security: Implied on PCs and printers