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Networking
Services
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Why Do You Need a Network?
- Do your employees need to communicate
frequently with one another or with customers and suppliers?
- Are you concerned about reducing capital
costs, such as computer hardware?
- Does your staff work with large documents or
files, or need frequent access to accounting data, inventory information, or
customer information?
- Do you want to make sure the information you
rely on everyday is safe and secure?
- Do you want to get your business on the Web?
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 guide is designed to help you understand how to get started with a network, and
work with your technology provider to make the right decision for your business.
Step
1: 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.
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 fewer than five PCs that don't use
large files or need to share applications.
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 PCs. 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).
Step
2: Choose the Network You Need
To determine what is best for your needs, follow this checklist:
Choose peer-to-peer if:
- You have fewer than
five 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
Choose Client/Server
if:
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Your
business is any size and you share large or graphic intensive files
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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
Step
3: Understand the Technology
When moving to a network, it's helpful to understand some of the basic software
and other resources you'll be investing in.
- 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.
- 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. Microsoft® Windows
NT® Server is an example of a network operating system.
- Server: A computer
running a NOS that controls access to the network and its resources.
- Client: A PC that
accesses shared resources provided by the server.
- Server-based applications:
Applications that run on a NOS and are designed for multiple users.
- 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.
- Network Cable: The
physical wiring connecting all PCs in the LAN.
- Hub: A device that
provides a common connection to all devices on a network.
- Modem: A
communications device that enables a computer to transmit information over a
standard telephone line.
Step
4: Prepare Your Business
These are just some of the key things you should think about in planning for a
network.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Step
5: Contact NAK interMEDIA
NAK
interMEDIA is a Systems and Networks consulting firm that specializes
in the implementation and support of computer networks. A local area network
(LAN) is a cost effective and efficient way to share information and resources
in an office environment. Whether you already have a network or are thinking
about connecting multiple computers together, we can help by providing a concise
network plan.
NAK
interMEDIA can help you with the selection and implementation of all aspects of
a computer network, including:
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Server
Hardware & Software
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Workstation
Hardware & Software
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Integration
of Existing Equipment
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Backup
& Disaster Recovery Plan
-
LAN Network Design & Installation
-
Network
Cable Systems Design & Installation
-
Network
Support and Administration
-
Integration
With the Internet
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