Projects:
Here are a few of the projects that Excel has completed for clients:
I. Server Procurement, Installation, and Network Implementation
A Virginia based software company contracted Excel for the purchase
and configuration of four new servers and a Cisco router for their
new offices. Excel conducted a needs assessment for the client
and proposed the equipment to be used. Windows 2000-Advanced Server
was installed on three of the servers including Active Directory.
A Cisco 1601 router was then configured to interface with the
T1 CSU/DSU provided by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). A
fourth server was installed and configured with Linux acting as
a network firewall. Once the setup was complete the systems underwent
intensive testing including Internet throughput. Remote maintenance
and support for the Cisco router and Linux server continues to
be performed for this client.
II. Application Service Provider Server Implementation
This client contracted Excel for the procurement and configuration
of (4) HP Netserver Lxr 8000 Series servers to provide Internet
based Application Services. Excel assembled the rack, installed
the servers, and setup the hardware RAID arrays. Windows NT 4.0
Server was then loaded and configured in a testing environment
to ensure proper operation. After testing, the servers were disassembled
and moved to an Internet co-location facility. Upon reinstallation
at the new facility, all server functions were re-tested. Once
testing was complete, the network was reconfigured, tested and
normal operations began.
III. Wide Area Network Design and Implementation
This client contracted Excel to design and implement a wide area
network (WAN) covering four counties in the state of Maine. A
Cisco 1602 router was configured in each remote location and connected
to a 56K-frame relay line. At the main location a Cisco 1601 router
with a T1 interface card was installed and configured for the
frame relay cloud interface. A series of communication tests was
then conducted between the four routers utilizing TCP/IP.
IV. Wide Area Network Implementation and Network Integration
This client contracted Excel for the design and implementation
of a three state wide area network, then to integrate the networks
of two recently acquired businesses into the existing corporate
network. Excel began this project by configuring a Cisco 2520
router at the main location for the T1 frame relay cloud to the
other offices. (3) Cisco 1602 routers with 56K links into the
frame relay cloud going to the company's primary location were
then installed. The next step was to setup a Cisco 1601 router
with a 384K link into the same frame relay cloud.
Once the WAN was in place and communicating across three states,
Excel proceeded to integrate the existing offices and computers
in Florida into the larger network. The first step in this was
to physically cable all Florida offices with a 10/100BaseT network.
The second step was to setup two servers running Windows NT 4.0
Server and Exchange Server 5.5, setting up all users and permissions
for the network. The Exchange connectors to the primary mail server
for the organization were then connected. Finally, 75 new laptops
were reconfigured, along with the organization's existing computers
to bring them into the corporate network and setup for that area's
users.
V. Virtual Private Network (VPN) for a multi-site healthcare
provider.
Excel was hired to design and implement a means of connecting
the remote offices of this healthcare provider to the main office.
The objective was to allow secure remote access to its network
and run applications hosted by the main office file server. A
VPN solution was identified as the low cost, most secure solution.
Excel designed the wide area network topology and determined the
best hardware for the application. Each site was outfitted with
a hardware VPN/Firewall solution, using SonicWall products. Once
installed and configured the Virtual Private Network was able
to secure communications between the two remote offices and the
main site.
