It is more common to run a small business network using a combination of technologies including a wired LAN, a wireless LAN and 3G access for mobility.
Many homes, for example, have wired connections to the PC and a wireless antennae for the laptop and/or printer. This type of solution is better suited to satisfy business requirements with regards to cost and flexibility.
Many services such as email and web pages are also offered as 'hosted' services on the web saving small business owners time and money. This web page is actually hosted externally to it-pathways.com because it makes sense for us to concentrate on providing you information rather than maintaining servers.
SMALL BUSINESS NETWORK SOLUTIONS
Today small business networks provide the fabric for intra and inter office communication. Services such as shared files, email, the web, customer databases and financial applications all run over the network so the type and scale of business network solution is very important because some solutions are not well suited to certain high volume or high performance services.
Small business network communication can be provided by a number of solutions, each with their own advantages and drawbacks. Three common designs for small business networks are displayed on this page.
Wired Local Area Network - All computers and network devices are connected together with data cabling.
Wireless Local Area Network - All computers and network devices are connected together using wireless communication technology.
3G Network - All computers connect via carrier infrastructure over a 3G mobile network.
Hybrid Network + Hosted Services - Many computer networks today use a combination of the three solutions listed above. and outsource services such as web and email to hosting companies.
Wired LAN + Modem for Internet Access
A wired LAN involves connecting all the office equipment with a device known as a switch and connecting that switch to a modem/router to gain connectivity to the rest of the world via the Internet. Wired LANs are common around the world for networks of all sizes.
Advantages of a Wired LAN
- Mature, reliable technology.
- Switches and modem/routers come in varying price ranges from the small office/home office (SOHO) to carrier grade equipment.
- Well known technology supported by almost all devices and vendors.
- Switches transfer data inside the LAN at very high speeds.
Disadvantages of a Wired LAN
- Data cabling is required between the computers and the network equipment. Laying cabling can add to the initial implementation costs and may require approval if the office is leased or rented.
- Relatively inflexible in terms of re-arranging the office.
Wired LAN Business Services Suitability
Service Suitability Reason
Shared Files
Excellent High Speed Access
Excellent High Speed AccessEmail Excellent High Speed Access
Excellent High Speed AccessWeb Excellent High Speed Access
Excellent High Speed AccessDatabase Access Excellent High Speed Access
Excellent High Speed AccessFinancial Applications Excellent High Speed Access
Excellent High Speed AccessWired LAN Business Network Solution Components
- Modem/Router for Internet Access
- Ethernet Switch(es)
- Computers
- Printer/Scanner
Wireless LAN + Modem for Internet Access
Many small businesses chose a wireless solution over wired because the installation of data cabling is a problem due to building lease restrictions or cost.
Advantages of a Wireless LAN
- Flexible placement of computers and laptops with wireless LAN access
- No cabling
- Convenient for rare or once-off events such as a presentation in a meeting room
Disadvantages of a Wireless LAN
- All computers on the network require wireless cards in order to connect. Wireless interfaces are common on laptops but PCs usually require an additional wireless interface card to be purchased and installed.
- A wireless LAN is a 'shared' medium which means that a busy computer on the LAN will affect the network performance of all other computers.
- Slower transmission speeds than a wired network solution. Wireless can be between 2 and 50 times slower than the wired business network solution.
- Subject to black spots where the signal is weak or non-existent
Wireless LAN Business Services Suitability
Service Suitability Reason
Shared Files Averag Shared medium may cause performance problems
Averag Shared medium may cause performance problemsEmail Average Shared medium may cause performance problems
Average Shared medium may cause performance problemsWeb Average Shared medium may cause performance problems
Average Shared medium may cause performance problemsDatabase Access Average Shared medium may cause performance problems
Average Shared medium may cause performance problemsFinancial Applications Average Shared medium may cause performance problems
Average Shared medium may cause performance problemsWired LAN Business Network Solution Components
- Modem/Router for Internet Access + Wireless Access Point
- Computers with Wireless Interfaces
- Printer/Scanner with Wireless Interfaces
3G Wireless Technology
3G technology is another type of wireless network, however, it uses the carrier infrastructure used for mobile phones.
Advantages of connecting over a 3G mobile network
- Does not require local network infrastructure.
- Has the same coverage as 3G mobile phones because it uses the same technology.
- Extremely flexible inside and outside the office.
Disadvantages of connecting over a 3G mobile network
- Costs are usually charged by volume and can be relatively expensive over time compared to the other business network solutions.
- Does not scale well to large networks due to cost and performance.
- Transmission rates are much slower than the Wired and the Wireless LAN options.
- Subject to black spots where the signal is weak or non-existent
3G Mobile Network Business Services Suitability
Service Suitability Reason
Shared Files Low Lower transfer speeds and cost considerations
Low Lower transfer speeds and cost considerationsEmail Average High data volumes may be expensive
Average High data volumes may be expensiveWeb Average High data volumes may be expensive
Average High data volumes may be expensiveDatabase Access Average Lower transfer speeds and cost considerations
Average Lower transfer speeds and cost considerationsFinancial ApplicationsAverage Lower transfer speeds and cost considerations
Average Lower transfer speeds and cost considerationsWired LAN Business Network Solution Components
- Laptops/Computers with 3G modems
- Printers cannot be networked in this solution - printers must be locally connected to the computer
Hybrid Small Business Network
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