Collaboration context
Modernisation of rack, firewall, switch, VLAN and VPN for a bakery operation
ERI BAKERY, a.s. operates in bakery production and bakery operations. In this environment, stable, secure and transparent local network infrastructure is important for everyday company operations, internal systems, connected devices and remote management.
The company needed modernisation of the local network environment. The solution included rebuilding and cleaning the rack, organising cabling, installing and configuring a firewall, adding a managed switch, introducing VLAN segmentation and configuring VPN access.
The goal was to replace the original unclear and security-risky state with clearer, safer and better manageable infrastructure.
Initial state
Unclear rack, home router and weak network security
Before the implementation, the rack was unclear and cabling was not organised in a way that would support simple management and safe operation. The technical background needed to be cleaned, rebuilt and prepared so that it would be more suitable for further network management.
The original network solution was based on a home router, which was not suitable for a business environment with requirements for security, management and control of network communication. The network was not segmented through VLAN, Wi-Fi was unmanaged and VPN access had not been introduced.
From a security point of view, open ports into the network were also a problem. This represented unnecessary risk and had to be replaced by a safer method of access and communication control.
- Unclear rack.
- Messy cabling.
- Original network solution based on a home router.
- Missing VLAN segmentation.
- Unmanaged Wi-Fi network.
- Missing VPN access.
- Weaker local network security.
- Open ports into the internal network.
- Need to make the local infrastructure physically and logically clearer.
Solution goal
Increase security, clarity and manageability of the local network
The goal was to increase security, clarity and manageability of the local network infrastructure. The solution had to remove the original unsuitable state, replace the home router with a more suitable business firewall and prepare the network for safer operation.
An important part was cleaning and organising the rack, adding a managed switch, introducing VLAN segmentation and preparing safer remote access through VPN.
- Clean and organise the rack.
- Make cabling clearer.
- Replace the unsuitable original network solution with a business firewall.
- Add a managed switch.
- Introduce VLAN network segmentation.
- Increase security of local infrastructure.
- Remove risks related to open ports.
- Prepare secure VPN access.
- Create a better manageable foundation for company operations.
Solution design
Connecting physical order, firewall, switch, VLAN and VPN
The solution was designed as modernisation of local network infrastructure. It included physical rack adjustment, cabling organisation, replacing the original home router with a business firewall, adding a managed switch, introducing VLAN segmentation and configuring VPN access.
The rack and cabling rebuild was meant to create a clearer technical background. The firewall was designed as the central security element of the local network. The managed switch created a foundation for better network management, and VLAN segmentation made it possible to logically separate selected parts of the infrastructure according to operational needs.
VPN access was prepared as a safer method of remote connection to selected parts of the company environment. The solution is described without publishing sensitive technical details.
Implementation process
From rack cleanup to safer remote access
Rack and cabling cleanup
Rebuilding the technical background, cleaning the rack, organising cabling and preparing a clearer physical foundation for local network infrastructure.
Firewall, switch and VLAN
Replacing the original unsuitable network solution with a firewall, adding a managed switch and introducing VLAN segmentation for better management and safer network operation.
VPN access and solution check
Configuring VPN access for safer remote connection to selected parts of the company environment and checking the resulting local infrastructure setup.
What we delivered
Key areas of local network modernisation
Rack rebuild and cleanup
The implementation included adjusting the technical background in the rack. The original unclear state was replaced by a more organised solution that improves physical clarity of the infrastructure and makes further administration easier.
Cleaning and organising the rack contributed to better orientation in connections, easier diagnostics and a more professional technical background for the local network.
Cabling organisation
Work with cabling was also an important part. The goal was to remove unclear connections and prepare cabling so that it better supports network infrastructure management.
Clearer cabling helps reduce the risk of errors during network work, simplifies service tasks and creates a better foundation for further infrastructure expansion.
Firewall installation and configuration
The original solution based on a home router was replaced by a business firewall. The firewall was configured as the central security element of the local network.
Its role is to better manage network communication, increase control over operation and support safer functioning of the company environment. The configuration is described in the reference only to a publicly suitable extent.
Managed switch
A managed switch was added to the infrastructure, enabling better network management than the original simple or unsuitable network solution.
The managed switch created a foundation for network segmentation, better operational control and more professional management of the local infrastructure.
VLAN network segmentation
One of the key parts of the implementation was introducing VLAN segmentation. The network was divided according to operational needs so that individual parts of the infrastructure would not run in one shared and harder-to-control environment.
Network segmentation improves security, clarity and communication management between individual parts of the company environment. The public reference describes the solution generally and without sensitive operational details.
VPN access
VPN access was introduced as part of the solution. VPN enables safer remote connection to selected parts of the company environment and supports several operational needs, such as remote IT administration or access to required internal services.
VPN access is described generally and without sensitive operational details.
Solution security
Safer foundation for the local network and remote access
Security was one of the main areas of the implementation. The original environment used an unsuitable network solution, was not segmented and had open ports into the network. This state represented increased risk and required a safer method of management and access.
By installing the firewall, adding the managed switch, introducing VLAN segmentation and VPN access, a safer foundation for the local infrastructure was created.
- Replacing the home router with a business firewall.
- Better control over network communication.
- Removal of risks related to open ports.
- Introduction of safer VPN access.
- Network segmentation through VLAN.
- Better management of network elements.
- Clearer technical background.
- Higher network readiness for further management and development.
These measures were designed to increase local environment security without publishing sensitive technical details.
Results
Clearer, safer and better manageable network infrastructure
The result is clearer, safer and better manageable local network infrastructure. The rack was cleaned and organised, cabling was made clearer, the original home router was replaced by a business firewall, a managed switch was added to the network and the infrastructure was prepared for VLAN segmentation.
VPN access enabled safer remote connection to selected parts of the company environment. The whole solution increased local network security and created a better foundation for further infrastructure management.
- Clearer and cleaned rack.
- Organised cabling.
- Replacement of the original home router with a business firewall.
- Addition of a managed switch.
- Introduction of VLAN segmentation.
- Safer VPN access.
- Removal of risks related to open ports.
- Higher local network security.
- Better network infrastructure management.
- More suitable technical foundation for company operations.
Main benefits for the client
What the solution brought to ERI BAKERY
The implementation brought ERI BAKERY, a.s. a practical improvement of the local IT environment. The original unclear state with a home router, unmanaged Wi-Fi, missing segmentation and open ports was replaced by a clearer and safer solution.
Higher clarity of the technical background.
Better physical organisation of rack and cabling.
Safer local network thanks to the firewall.
More professional network management through a managed switch.
Network segmentation through VLAN.
Safer remote access through VPN.
Lower risk resulting from open ports.
Better readiness for network management and further development.
More stable foundation for everyday company operations.
Summary
Modernised foundation for a safer local network
For ERI BAKERY, a.s., local network infrastructure was modernised. The solution included rebuilding and cleaning the rack, organising cabling, installing and configuring a firewall, adding a managed switch, introducing VLAN segmentation and configuring VPN access.
The result is a clearer, safer and better manageable technical environment. The company gained an organised rack, a more professional network solution, a segmented network, safer remote access and a better foundation for everyday operation of the bakery company.
