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Network Solutions
Do
You Even Need a Network?
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Do your
employees need to communicate frequently with one another or with
customers and suppliers?
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Are you
concerned about reducing capital costs, such as computer hardware?
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Does your
staff work with large documents or files, or need frequent access to
accounting data, inventory information, or customer information?
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Do you
want to make sure the information you rely on everyday is safe and
secure?
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Do you
want to get your business on the Web?
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If your
answer is "yes" to any of these questions, it's time to invest in a
computer network for your business. Regardless of size, your company
can benefit from the ability to share files and resources, access
information more readily, and ensure security and reliability of data.
The following is designed to help you understand how to get started
with a network, and make the right decisions for your business.
Understand Your Options
The type
of network you need depends in part on your company's size and your
business needs. Regardless of where you start, you should consider a
solution that can easily upgrade with your needs.
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Peer-to-peer network
In a peer-to-peer network, PCs are connected to one another via cables
and can share files and peripheral devices such as printers. Each PC
on the network is an equal or "peer" of the others, and there is no
central repository or control of the entire network. This is an easy
to setup, low-cost solution typically recommended for companies with
just two or three PCs that don't use large files or need to share
applications.
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Client/server network
In the client/server network, "clients" (standard desktop PCs) are
connected to a "server"-a more powerful PC that "serves up" data,
devices, and software applications to clients. The client/server
network provides several advantages to businesses with five or more
networked computers.
The server is typically a high performance machine that will support
sharing of even very large files, or allow large numbers of users on
the network without suffering slowdowns or other performance problems.
It also enables centralized security and backup. Finally, it provides
a platform to run shared applications such as accounting solutions or
line-of-business software (such as manufacturing or inventory
solutions).
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To
determine which network system is best for your needs, consider the
following:
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Choose
peer-to-peer if
You have only two or three PCs on the network AND you don't plan to
grow in the near future AND you don't use large or graphic -intensive
files. You want to share documents and printers.
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Choose
Client/Server if
Your business is any size and you share large or graphic intensive files.
You need to connect more than five PCs to the network.
You want to access your network remotely.
You want to share applications as well as files, printers, and other
peripherals.
You plan to use the Internet regularly.
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Understand the Technology
When moving to a network, it's helpful to understand some of the
basic software and other resources in which you will be investing.
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Local
area network (LAN): A group of computers connected by a
communications link that enables any device to interact with any other
on the network.
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Network
operating system (NOS): An operating system installed on a server
that coordinates the activities of providing services to PCs and
devices attached to a LAN. Red Hat Linux® and Microsoft Windows 2000
Server® are examples of a network operating system.
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Server:
A computer running a NOS that controls access to the network and its
resources.
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Client:
A PC that accesses shared resources provided by the server.
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Server-based applications: Applications that run on a NOS and are
designed for multiple users.
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Network
interface card (NIC): A card within the computer that provides
communication between the PC and the network. PCs that will be
connected to your network will need these.
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Network
Cable: The physical wiring connecting all PCs in the LAN.
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Hub:
A device that provides a common connection to all devices on a
network.
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Switch:
A device that provides a common connection to all devices on a network
much more efficiently than a hub..
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Prepare
Your Business
These are just some of the key things you should think about in
planning for a network.
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Identify
who will manage your network. This person will maintain security, add
new users to the network, allocate shared resources such as printers,
and manage other issues.
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Determine
who will need network access. Identify the employees in your company
who will be accessing network resources so that you can establish the
appropriate access and security levels.
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Consider
your peripheral devices. Because a network enables you to share
peripheral devices such as printers, you can sometimes afford to
upgrade to higher performance hardware that is shared by multiple
people. For example, you may want to invest in a high-quality color
printer.
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Plan to
backup and protect your data. Even though a server-based network is a
great way to back up data on local PCs, if you don't back up your
server and store the tapes in a safe place, you risk losing
everything. Be sure to do regular server backups and find a safe
location (outside your office, in case of fire or flood) for your data
stores.
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Wireless
Networks from $129*
●Parental
Controls
●Virus & Spyware
Removal
●Wireless Networks
●Linux
Servers
●Windows Servers
●Upgrades
●Repairs
●Preventive
Maintenance
●System Design
●Password Recovery
●Emergency Service
●Electronic Forms
*Does not include
hardware.
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