Developing a Network Design for a Smart Airport Using Cisco Packet Tracer

The fast-changing world is evolving towards automation rapidly every day, and a good network system is inevitable anywhere to properly manage an automated system. Before implementing a network system, it is necessary to visualize and learn a protocol to understand in depth about the network system and identify the issues among the system. Packet Tracer is a cross-platform visual simulation tool designed by Cisco Systems that allows users to create network topologies and imitate modern computer networks. It helps network developers to design prototype models as well as provides a virtual network simulation platform that help to simulate projects and observe its efficiency in the real world. In this research, the authors have developed a prototype of network design of an airport using Cisco Packet Tracer. The process that depicts how network system will work in real life is explained and the simulation of data transmission is provided.


Introduction
Computer networks is a demanding and important topic for any kind of networking and data communication. Nowadays, the need for developing a proper networking system for any infrastructure like office, school, airport, university etc. is rapidly increasing to conduct their day-to-day work. This research is based on developing a network design prototype for an airport [1] . It can vary from organization to organization since every organization implements a different network system as the interior and exterior do not match with one another [2]. To conduct this research, researchers have chosen to use Cisco Packet Tracer as it is a compact software by which researchers can develop models like real world and can implement the necessary changes required [3]. Jesin [4] stated in a paper that, Packet Tracer also supports virtual network simulation. For these large numbers of advantages, researchers have chosen to use Packet Tracer. The objectives of working on this research are as below: • Gathering knowledge about computer network; • Learning Cisco Packet Tracer in depth; • Getting experience about how real-life projects work; • Learning about networking systems and network design; • Developing prototype of network design, suitable for an airport. These issues faced during this network design are discussed below: • Sometimes there are software issues, simulation does not work properly and after restarting it starts working properly; • Cisco Packet Tracer has some issues in working on a lower performing device. It takes a long time to launch on laptops with lower RAM. • There is a lack of online resources to learn about Packet Tracer. So, whenever the researchers have faced some problems regarding the software, it takes a long time to find the solution.

2 Review of the Literature
Human life is being shaped by technologies such as Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), Block chain, Big Data and many other wonderful inventions of science these days [5]. From sentiment analysis to detect human behaviour in social media [6], [7], facial detection in exam invigilation, everywhere the use of IoT is there [8]. It is very important to make a design for a network in such a way that helps a system to perform without any workload. It should be ensured that the end devices, connected with a network system, have consistent performance. As stated by Kabir [9], good network design depends on the network performance, security, successful data transmission rate etc. Cisco Packet Tracer has a vast number of components such as simulation, visualization, networking etc. It is an exploration and experimental software. So, anyone can develop a network for an organization similar as real life [10]. Another paper by Nazumudeen [11] mentioned that, it is possible to make simulation-based assessment in packet tracer for its wide number of available features that helps developer to understand a network design without working in real life.
The networking system technologies are improving rapidly every day. More advanced network topologies are being added to the system [12]. To connect the end devices such as PC, router, switch, smart devices, IoT devices etc. different networking technologies have been introduced. Local Area Network (LAN) is one of them. It helps to connect end devices in a shorter distance. [13] So, it works well in small to medium organizations. Another upgraded technology, came from LAN is Wide Area Network (WAN). WAN is better than many other similar technologies as it helps to connect different LAN into a network [14]. Computer networks is a very important term for data communication. Computer networks include routing, designing network system, developing network strategy, visual learning and so on [15]. Here, routing defines the path by which data transmits form one device to another. Visual learning refers to gathering knowledge by graphical interface such as image processing, the usage of graphics, images and animations etc. [16]. However, the data of the passengers and guests can be stored in the server for security reasons.

Research Analysis and Findings
In this research, researchers have developed a network design that includes all the basic components of an airport.

Air Control Room
The Air Control Room ( Figure 1) is one of the most important places in an airport. Therefore, the network design of this room should be the most accurate as well as secure.

Fig. 1. Air Control Room
To make the Arrival Room secure, researchers have used static routing to control the data transmission system. By this system, only employees of the Arrival and Departure Room can retrieve data from the Air Control Room. This process is shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 2. Air Control Room Data Transmission System
In Figure 2

Arrival Room
In the Arrival Room there are two parts. First one is for the employees and the other one is for the guests. Here, both parts are divided through two different routers. The router for the employees, can transmit data to the Air Control Room. So that the employees can be informed with the flight updates and other necessary data from air control. And guests cannot transmit data to/from the Air Control Room for security purposes. We have shown the configuration of the Arrival Room in Figure 3.

Employee Department
Here, a total number of nine PC's connected to a router through a switch have been added.
These PC's can communicate with the Air Control Room directly through the router. The Default Gateway IP is basically the IP for the router connecting the PCs with the Air Control Room. Default Gateway should be the same in all the PCs as all are transmitting data through the same router. And the Subnet will be auto generated according to the IP class.   Figure 6 shows that the data transmitting is working well.  In Figure 7, there are three end devices, connected through Wi-Fi and transmitting data to the Arrival Room server. But they cannot transmit data to/from the Air Control Room as mentioned above.

Fig. 8. End Devices Configuration
Here, the researchers have set the IP for the laptop and connected it to the Wi-Fi. The connection is shown in Figure 8.  The Arrival_Guest_Router is connected with two devices through two ports. The ethernet port is connected to the Wi-Fi router and supplies the internet to it. And the serial port is connecting the server through the arrival router. The IP configuration is as shown in Figure 10.

Departure Room
There are two parts in the Departure Room ( Figure 11) and they are for employees and guests. So, both parts have two different routers.

Fig. 11. Departure Room
As mentioned in the Arrival Room, the employees' router can also transmit data to the Air Control Room so that they can be updated with the latest flight information but guests cannot send/receive data from the Air Control Room for security purposes.

Fig. 12. Departure Room PC configuration
In Figure 12 is depicted the configuration of the Departure Room.   Figure 13 it is seen that Departure Room PC sent four messages and got replies for all of the messages. It shows that the data transmitting is working well. This can be better represented with a real time simulation as shown Figure 14.

Guest Department
There is a wireless router connected with a guest router in the guest department. This wireless router connects the end devices of the guests. The researchers have connected possible 3 devices with the wireless router. The devices are laptop, mobile and tablet.

Fig. 15. Guest Department (Departure Room)
In Figure 15, three end devices are transmitting data to the Arrival Room server and they are connected through Wi-Fi. But they cannot transmit data to/from the Air Control Room.

Fig. 18. Departure Room Guest Router Configuration
The Departure_Guest_Router is connected with two devices through two ports. The ethernet port is connected to the Wi-Fi router and supplies the internet to it. The serial port is connecting the server through the departure router. The IP configuration is as shown in figure 18.

Security and Server Room
There are two servers in the Security Room ( Figure 19). These servers are connecting two switches that are connected with motion detector security cameras.

IoT Devices
There is an individual working motion detector operated security camera in both the arrival and the Departure Room. The working of the IoT device is shown in Figure 20.

Fig. 20. IoT Devices
In Figure 20, it is shown that when the motion detector is off, the camera does not work and vice-versa. Basically, when someone walks near to the motion detector, it sends a signal to the camera to be turned on. It is basically a power efficient way to install security cameras. This model needs a registration server to work properly. Live feedback can be seen by logging into the registration server by entering the correct username and password.
It shows that this model of installing security cameras is pretty safe and secured. In addition, the data can be found on the servers in the Security Room as the servers are collecting and storing the data.

Server Room
In the Server Room (Figure 21), there are mainly three basic servers.

Fig. 21. Server Room
These servers collect and store data coming from the air control, the arrival and the Departure Room.

Conclusions
In this research, a prototype of network design for an airport has been successfully developed Suraya AKTER is a recent graduate of United International University, Bangladesh, completing her study in BBA in Management Information System as well as she is currently working as a general secretary of UIU Management Information Systems Forum. It is her first research work and has further interest in machine learning and artificial intelligence, data analysis and visualization fields. As she has future intention of higher studies in abroad, these research works might help her in getting admission in a renowned university as well as receiving scholarships in such related fields.
Md Rakibul ISLAM is a business graduate from United International University, Bangladesh, completing his degree in the major in Management Information System (MIS). He is currently working as an Executive Officer at DataPath Limited. He is co-founder of UIU Management Information Systems Forum. He eagerly wants to work in the field of Information Technology, especially in the sector of data science. He has further research interests in data analysis, business analytics, and visualization fields.
Soumya Suhreed DAS is working as senior lecturer in the department of Civil Engineering of Stamford University Bangladesh. He teaches the major structural engineering courses in the university and research interests are in structural concrete, finite element simulation, aerodynamics of high-rise buildings, structural health monitoring and structural retrofitting, and has several international papers. Currently he is pursuing his Masters in Structural Engineering in BUET. He has a good grip on Building and seismic codes, various design and analytical software, building retrofitting and seismic isolation, foundation and soil system, ground improvement and soil reinforcement, multi-hazard engineering and tall building aerodynamics. He has a great passion for teaching and would like to explore the research areas on structural health monitoring using programming language.