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Computer Networking, An Important Part of Business

Written by Michael Schweiger

Polytechnic University

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Internet Protocol-based (IP) networking solutions are the foundation of the Internet and most corporate, education, and government networks around the world. Networking provides the broadest line of solutions for transporting data, voice and video within buildings, across campuses, or around the world. For this reason it is important to have a competent and efficient networking team, or at least have a good working knowledge of network solutions yourself.  Whatever the type of business you are planning, whether it is an e-business, commercial business or small private business it is very important to be connected to the world via the Internet.

Today, the Internet and computer networking are an essential part of business, learning, personal communications and entertainment. Virtually all messages or transactions passing over the Internet are carried quickly and securely through network equipment. Each day new solutions ensure that networks both public and private operate with maximum performance, security, and flexibility. In addition, complex networks are used by corporations, public institutions, telecommunication companies, and are found in a growing number of medium-sized commercial enterprises.

One of the first network companies was founded in 1984 by a group of computer scientists from Stanford University. Since that time, engineers have been prominent in advancing the development of IP- the basic language to communicate over the Internet and in private networks. The tradition of innovation continues today by creating leading products and key technologies that will make the Internet more useful and dynamic in the years ahead. These technologies include: advanced routing and switching, voice and video over IP, optical networking, wireless, storage networking, security, broadband, and content networking.

In addition to technology, networking is recognized as an innovator in how business is conducted. Using the Internet to provide customer support, sell products, offer training, and manage finances has helped small business as well as large companies and e-businesses.  In conclusion, whatever your endeavor, networking is a vital part of keeping connected to parent and sister companies, suppliers, recipients, and the world.  Review the following checklist to assess your needs.

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, you should consider 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.

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).

Choose the Network You Need

 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:

• Your business is any size and you share large or graphic intensive files
• 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

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.

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.