Modeling and analysis of an enterprise network and its security structures

In this paper, real modeling using network devices and virtual modeling with the OPNET software, simulation and analysis of a typical enterprise network are conducted. On these real and virtual network models, the effects of Firewall and VPN (Virtual Private Network) on network performance are studied. Then a more complex and realistic model than the first simple OPNET model is designed, and on this second model similar analysis work is performed. What we have done different than the previous research studies in our study is constructing both a real enterprise network prototype and virtual simulation model, and comparing network models and network analysis results. The effects of Firewall and VPN on these models are investigated on both real network environment and virtual OPNET environment. Additionally, practical use of both developed real and virtual models in university education is also taken into consideration.