Claw BBQ restaurant

Task

IT Audit of the existing IT system; planning and implementation of the required upgrades.

 Services

Full IT Infrastructure Implementation (upgrade), IT Audit & Consultancy.

Results

IT system was upgraded with the modern network devices according to the new design. The upgrade allowed to improve performance, security, usability, reliability, and integrity of the whole IT infrastructure.

IT Audit of Claw BBQ restaurant — a fashion restaurant for 120 seats with a bar, a powerful TV and sound system — led to a decision to do the IT system upgrade. The IT infrastructure update was completed in 2 days.

Restaurant management had encountered several critical issues with an internal network and WiFi system. Staff complained that network connection was very slow and often interrupted, which had caused numerous problems for POS terminals, printers, tablets, TV and other devices, stalling and crashing the operation of the whole restaurant. Restaurant customers regularly complained that access to GUEST WiFi was terrible. Parasol Software Trading LLC IT team was invited to conduct the IT Audit (Package 01, BASIC) of the existing IT infrastructure and to plan for the required upgrade. After the initial checkup and inspection of the network devices and connections, the following shortcomings and problems were identified: interface traffic congestion, link and stability problems, environmental limits exceeding and memory utilization increasing (HW issues, EOL), security vulnerability for management and clients, unidirectional traffic flow, DHCP overloading, unstable WiFi signal, SSIDs interference and some others. Based on the IT Audit report, it was decided to update the IT infrastructure, wired network and WiFi system.

Implementation process:

Networking: core switch was replaced by a new one with higher performance and advanced management features. Rack cabinet maintenance was performed, including cable tracing and labelling. Old network devices, which were kept in rack cabinet but hadn’t been connected, were removed. TV system was re-connected via cables, instead of WiFi connection.

Wi-Fi System: old wireless access points (EnGenius) were replaced by the new Cisco WAP devices, which support wireless controller features and fully satisfy the performance requirements, payload and bandwidth of the system. The placement of the Wireless Access Points in the restaurant main hall and covered outdoor areas was also redesigned, and the cabling leading to them was re-laid.

Security and Management: in order to defend the business against future threats and enable it to take the full advantage of changing business opportunities and uphold the levels of security, usability, reliability, and integrity of the network, the following features were implemented:

• L2 settings: VLANs, switch port securing, ARP inspection, DHCP snooping, Network devices are available from Admin VLAN, only.
• AAA Mechanism: limits the access rights, levels and rules for employees and clients with the group and password policies.
• Wireless controller settings: SSIDs are separated by VLANs, for administrators, staff and guests, Guest WiFi isolation (clients are absolutely isolated from other internal networks which provide security for guest devices), Rogue Access Points detection, WiFi signal adjustment. Bandwidth limitation for users in Guest and Staff groups (per user).

The project was completed in 2 days. IT infrastructure was upgraded with modern network devices based on the new system design. All Internal network and WiFi system troubles mentioned by the managers and staff earlier and identified by the IT audit were eliminated. WiFi system was united into a single wireless controller, which made it possible to efficiently manage wireless access points, significantly increasing performance and capacity of the whole system. The adjustment of WiFi signal power to the optimal level decreases the risk to the clients’ health.

The upgrade allowed to improve performance, security, usability, reliability, and integrity of whole IT infrastructure. Ultimately, the company IT infrastructure became effectively integrated and aligned with the corporate strategy, objectives, business structure and style.

Before

After

02/07/2017