Project Case Study

Campus Network Design Lab - Secure VLAN & Active Directory Based Infrastructure

A hands-on campus network design lab implementing VLAN segmentation, OSPF routing, Active Directory, DHCP/DNS services, and firewall-based security for secure interdepartmental communication.

December 2024 Imran Sarwar
VLAN OSPF Active Directory DHCP DNS Fortinet Firewall VMware GNS3
Campus Network Design Lab - Secure VLAN & Active Directory Based Infrastructure

Enterprise Campus Network Architecture

A comprehensive, multi-layered network design lab simulating a secure corporate environment. This project integrates structural subnetting, dynamic backbone routing, centralized domain directory policies, and edge perimeter defenses.

  • Layer-2 Isolation via Departmental VLAN Segmentation
  • Multi-Area OSPF Dynamic Routing Layer Core
  • Centralized Windows Domain Access via Active Directory
  • Zone-Based Perimeter Control via Fortinet Firewall
Campus Network Topology Thumbnail

The Enterprise Challenge

Multi-department organizations running unsegmented network architectures face immediate structural vulnerabilities. Flat networks suffer from extensive broadcast domain pollution, lack traffic prioritization controls, allow unmonitored cross-department lateral movement, and isolate identity verification, complicating centralized client auditing and access controls.

The Engineered Solution

I engineered a secure, multi-tier virtualized campus network. By applying strict VLAN separations at the access switch layer, establishing dynamic OSPF pathways, deploying centralized Windows Active Directory servers (AD DS, DHCP, DNS), and implementing strict zone policies via a virtual Fortinet Firewall appliance, threat surfaces are minimized across all zones.


Core Engineering Implementations

VLAN Segmentation

Deploys isolated broadcast domains across dedicated departmental switchports linked with 802.1Q trunking to optimize path boundaries.

OSPF Routing Layer

Implements Open Shortest Path First protocols to manage dynamic link availability paths, complete with DHCP relay configurations.

Active Directory Matrix

Establishes centralized object governance, automates IP parameters via DHCP scopes, handles DNS lookup trees, and pushes strict Group Policies.

Fortinet Perimeter Rules

Configures next-generation firewall interfaces to enforce zone policies, parse inter-VLAN access lists, and implement NAT translation rules.


Technical Ecosystem Mapping

Simulation Platforms GNS3 Engine, VMware Workstation Pro Environment
Identity & System Node Windows Server 2016 Core (AD DS, DNS Infrastructure, DHCP Scopes)
Network Switching Core Cisco IOS Virtual Multilayer Routers & Access Switches
Firewall Appliance Fortinet FortiGate Virtual Firewall (FortiOS Zone-Policies)
Configured Protocols OSPF Dynamic Routing, 802.1Q Trunking, DHCP Relay, NAT Maps, GPO Lists

Enterprise Engineering Perspective

This lab architecture models a blueprint for production corporate networks. Successfully chaining low-level layer-2 loop mitigations with high-level server group directory architectures and zone-separated defensive edges demonstrates structural readiness across Network Engineering, Systems Administration, and Infrastructure Security tracks.

Secure Core

Hybrid Enterprise Topology


Topology Blueprints & Lab Architecture Viewports

Review the complete enterprise network maps and use-case layouts. These visuals are expanded to edge-to-edge structural view containers for full-frame clarity.

Comprehensive Lab Infrastructure Topology Map

Full Framework Campus Topology Design Layout

The use case diagram demonstrates how users, administrators, network services, and infrastructure components interact within the environment.

Subnet Zone Policy Mapping Verifications

Project Assets & Verification

Access the localized configuration settings repository, clone the laboratory topology data, or audit operational deployment checklists.

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