Planning An Office Network

An workplace network is vital for any company that wishes to act in the contemporary commercial planet. It enables staff to work together on projects from their personal workstations, and allows a central location to shop all files and to print from (a file-print server). For any network to execute at it's peak function, there is a lot of prerequisites that require to be met prior to installing and using the network.

The most essential prerequisite is for the networking specifications to be determined. Queries that require to be answered contain:

• how a lot of computers (i.e. people) will be using the network?


• is there any remote access requirements (vpn)?


• what servers and other network attached devices are needed?


• who will manage and keep the network?


• are their specialised specifications for various departments?


• how is the connection to the internet to be maintained?


• is there a requirement for servers facing the world wide web - mail server, internet server, etc?

Some estimation for the development of the enterprise requirements to be included in the style as it's less expensive to add in the extra needs throughout the initial create rather than tacking it on later.

As soon as all of these questions have been answered then the network can be designed and a purchasing list can be prepared. Whilst there are a number of excellent high quality network providers, most businesses decide on Cisco merchandise for their networks. There are several positive aspects to employing Cisco:

• Cisco has really great support programmes, and can supply support 24x7 if essential.


• A lot of personal computer professionals have the standard Cisco qualification - CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), and much more these days have larger qualifications from Cisco - CCNP or CCIE. This tends to make it effortless to employ new employees if required to support the network from day 1.


• Although Cisco is not the least expensive, over the longer term their gear tends to execute greater than other more affordable brands.


• Cisco produces network elements for all aspects of the network - firewall, routers, switches, VOIP, and so forth.

It is advisable, when the new network is prepared for installation, to set up it in stages to get rid of outages to other aspects of the enterprise. This assumes that there is an current network that is being replaced, but is nonetheless a good notion when a new workplace is becoming set up. This will enable proper testing of each and every section of the network ahead of the whole thing is installed.

Even though installing and operating an office network is not a activity for an individual with no very good laptop skills, it is very attainable for an individual with a excellent understanding of computers, as well as a excellent understanding of the workplace's specifications to be able to perform this activity themselves.  There are a lot of accountants, lawyers, secretaries, and other office workers who look right after their organization's network.

Neil Hunt is an IT specialist with around 15 years of encounter in a variety of different IT areas, including networking, Unix and security. His IT consultancy can be located at [http://www.huntcorp.com.au/] and his personal weblog can be found at [http://www.groverjones.com/]