Networking in small businesses.

UpSource Ltd offer a range of networking services that include traditional cabling networks, the new high-speed wireless networks, and hybrid networks that combine both technologies.

Cabled networking is a fast and secure method of connecting computers together, however it is very inflexible and adding additional network points can be extremely expensive depending on the amount of labour requried to run the cables through the structure of the building. Cabled networks also require cables to be run from the computers to the network socket, which means that the layout of desks and equipment is dictated by the location of the network points rather than what is the most efficient or practical layout.

Wireless networks are very flexible, and can usually be extended cheaply and easily. Even the new high-speed wireless networks are not quite as fast as cabled networks, however the difference in speed is fairly insignificant for most small business applications. Wireless equipment must be configured correctly to protect network security. The range of the wireless access point may extend outside the area of the office, and without security features being enabled, someone with the correct equipment to gain access to the network. The security features on most leading wireless access points are simple to set-up and extremely effective at preventing unauthorised access.

Hybrid networks combine cabled access points with wireless access points. Hybrid networks are used to increase the range and/or flexibility of a cabled network using wireless access points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at the above diagram, we can see the three different types of network within a small office environment. This office has three rooms of varying size for staff, and an open plan area in the top right section where shared resources (photocopier, network printers, scanner, etc) are located.

In the left panel, three wireless access points have been placed to provide the office with a large area of coverage. In this situation, computers and other network equipment can be situated almost anywhere within the office and be able to connect to the rest of the network. Only the white areas are not covered by the wireless access points. Wireless access points are usually small and portable, which means that their position can be quickly changed to cover an area that isn't covered by the original location. Moving an access point in this way may lead to a previously covered area losing its coverage, so it is good practice to find the optimal locations before the points are placed to ensure maximum coverage. As the diagram shows, the wireless coverage extends outwith the boundaries of the office. This is why it is essential that wireless security measures are put in place to ensure that only authorised users can connect to the wireless access points.

In the centre panel, the office has a traditional cabled network with several network access points. In this example, the cables have been run to each of the rooms along the outer walls, and there are numerous access points in the open plan area for the shared equipment. The layout of the office furnature in this case is determined by the layout of the network access points. The maximum number of staff able to work in each room will also be determined by the number of network points in that room.

In the right panel, the office has a cabled network in the open plan area, and in the two large rooms. No cabling has been run to the smallest room in the lower centre area of the diagram. The upper left room does have network points, however they are only located in the top right corner of the room. In this example, the office manager has decided to extend the range of the network using two wireless access points. These two points provide almost 100% coverage of all three staff rooms for wireless enabled computers and equipment to connect. The advantages of this, rather than running more cables around the building to increase the range of the network, are that the wireless access gives flexibility to the location of staff and furnature within these rooms, and there is less expense and disruption compared to running the additional cables around the building. The disadvantage of this system is that security measures will need to be put in place to protect the network as the wireless coverage extends outside the boundaries of the office.

UpSource Ltd Network services

Cabled Networks.

UpSource Ltd offer cabling services, we only use high quality category 5e and 6 cable to ensure that the network runs at its maximum speed. UpSource Ltd also offers the installation of network cabinets, patch panels, hubs and switches.

Wireless and Hybrid Networks

UpSource Ltd can install and configure wireless network access points on your network, either as part of a fully wireless or hybrid network structure. We offer a full configuration service on all wireless access points and set up security measures to prevent unauthorised access. We also install and configure wireless network adapters into PCs, laptops, servers, printers and other network resources.

Network equipment.

UpSource Ltd offer installation and configuration services for networking hardware, including patch panels, hubs and switches.

Network analysis.

UpSource Ltd offer a network analysis software that monitors and reports on the data traffic on your network. The software does not look at data itself, but instead records the source and destination, and the type and size of each data packet sent during the monitoring period. This analysis service can detect bottlenecks that slow down your entire network and also highlights malfunctioning or misconfigured network adapters that may be affecting the stability of the network. After the analysis is complete, UpSource Ltd can remove the bottlenecks and repair, replace or reconfigure any network adapters found to have problems.

IT projects can be extremely complex, even those for the smallest of businesses. Often the project will require the skills of several different people from a number of companies and the project will require a number of stages to be completed in the correct sequence to be successful. Technical buzzwords and jargon can be unfamiliar and confusing to non-technical people, however a single simple mistake can cause long delays and extra expense.

For example: Would you select a NAT or non-NAT modem from your ISP for the NAT firewall supplied by your hardware stockist? The logical answer would appear to be NAT firewall would require a NAT modem, the reality is that a NAT firewall will not operate correctly with a NAT modem so you would require a non-NAT modem. A simple mistake like this could lead to long delays and extra expense in getting your broadband connection up and running. You may be asking yourself two questions at this point: What is NAT anyway? How would a non-technical person know that? The answer to the first question is that NAT stands for 'Network Address Translation' and this is what enables multiple computers to connect to the internet through a single IP address (connection). The answer to the second question is that you probably wouldn't but if you want to handle your own IT projects you'll be expected to.

Let UpSource Ltd handle your project management needs. Our project management service offers you technical expertise and a realistic and achievable framework for the project. UpSource Ltd will liaise with all the parties involved in the project to ensure that all of them know what is expected of them, when it is required and how long they have to do it.