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Viewing Small Business Computer Networking: How Good is Yours?Small Business Computer Networking: How Good is Yours?
By acropolistech
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Small business networking is the process of connecting computers for the purpose of sharing information. A great business solution will be ineffective if users are unable to access it because of disruptions or slowness due to connectivity issues. Small business networking refers to the process of connecting computers for the purpose of sharing information. The three most common types of network architectures are client-server, peer-to-peer, and terminal based access. In peer-to-peer networking, each computer is independent of the other and this type of networking design is usually used in a SOHO business. The most common type of architecture, client-server, is mostly used in businesses. If you are running a small business organization, you are probably in a client-server network. These networks typically are used to access email, Web pages, files, and applications. Lastly, remote computing has become very popular and although very important, the topic requires its own space and will not be addressed in this article. Some pointers that small business networking firms should keep in mind while setting up a computer network are: Scalability: There are times when your existing network needs to be expanded to meet the growing needs of the company. Setting up new computer network architecture can be very expensive; small business networking firms must consider the issue of scalability during the design phase of the computer network. A flexible network provides you the ability to add more machines to your network as the company grows. Properly planned network setup provides you a strong base and gives you an advantage for scaling as your needs increase. Data Security: Data security is a very critical issue in small business networking. To prevent your business network from outside attacks, it is very important to install a firewall to avoid any kind of tampering or hacking. Malware and viruses are also a major threat to a computer network where data and information is exchanged. These types of threats can be prevented by installing anti-virus / anti-malware software on the central server and/or putting devices in place at the gateway that can filter and alert when problems are detected. In addition, because many users access the data on the server or other machines; it is vulnerable to unauthorized access and manipulation. Your small business-networking firm must follow proper procedures to ensure that there are no unauthorized accesses, no virus attacks, and that controls are in place to alert and respond when problems are detected. Security should not be an add-on, it should be built in to every solution you provide. The importance of conveying this to your client is paramount. Network Speed: The rate at which data is supported by a network connection is referred to as 'bandwidth'. There are number of tools to measure the bandwidth of network connections. Various online bandwidth tests are also available. Another factor influencing the performance of your network is the latency, which signifies the delay in transfer of data. It becomes especially important in a remote computing environment like Microsoft Terminal Server or Citrix. Network speed also depends on the devices that interconnect between the data and end users, including routers and switches. They must be compatible; i.e. they must support the maximum network speed for best results and optimized for the type of traffic. Your small business-networking firm must be up to date and have the expertise to ensure that connectivity is not an afterthought. It must be addressed at the beginning of the sales cycle. Your client will not care about the great solution you have designed, but will notice if their ability to access it is disrupted or slow due to connectivity issues. About the Author: Small business network maintenance requires companies to hire a dedicated team or outsource their IT support services. Outsourcing is frequently the best option, as it often saves time and money and results in business efficiency. At Acropolis, you can find the best small business networking services, which include network support, small business network management in St. Louis, network administration, network managed service, and computer repair services. For more details about this small business network management St. Louis firm, please visit http://www.acropolistech.com. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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