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When it comes to purchasing a computer network for your home or business, it becomes a task of connecting one or more computers, thus allowing them to communicate with one another. The simplest form of home computer network consists of a single computer and an Internet connection. In this case, it’s a simply matter of finding an Internet Service Provider (ISP), purchasing a wireless or wired modem, and hooking everything up.

If you’re not a computer expert, the ISP of your choice will do the work for you. Many providers like Qwest and Comcast offer fairly low monthly rates for their services, and in some cases you can bundle those service to include your phone and cable television, which saves you money in the long run.

Every small business should have a firewall for their network. They can prevent unauthorized users from getting access to corporate information and stop malicious software from being downloaded onto your computers.

You should obtain a firewall that protects against inbound and outbound threats. You’re probably familiar with inbound threats – they can be anything from hackers attempting to breach your network to malicious software attempting to install itself on your computer. Outbound threats can be dangerous too, however, especially with the preponderance of instant messaging and file sharing. If you want to fully protect your network, make sure the firewall can handle both.

Sifting through networking options for small business purposes requires patience and a keen eye attuned to a company’s needs. And with so many vendors and options available on the market, it’s easier than ever to select the most efficient and cost-effective technologies. This article will identify some of the best networking vendors in the current market and help you in choosing the right networking solutions for your business.

Using computer networking is highly practical in a business environment, particularly for smaller-sized companies that often have tight resources with which to work with (http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2009/07/21/236971/How-to-set-up-your-small-business-computer-network-Essential.htm). Networks enable computers within a location to operate through a single broadband Internet connection. This shared usage is one of the biggest cost-reducers of computer networking. Files and important software tools can be shared amongst the computers, making it easier for employees to be productive. Wireless networking options and advanced security features are also available.

Searching for fast, reliable, and affordable broadband Internet service does not have to be a daunting task. In fact, the process of requesting free broadband price quotes is quite simple. Just use the helpful tips in this article, and you’ll be on your way to getting broadband service in no time.

“Broadband” is short for broadband Internet access, a rate of high data connection on the Internet. In years past, dial-up modem access was the norm, but broadband’s speed and efficiency have usurped the slower connection speeds of previous Internet connection devices.

Return on Investment (ROI) is a way of quantifying the economic advantage of a particular asset purchase. It is usually expressed as the length of time it takes for a business to recover the cost of purchase for equipment or services. For example, if it takes 5 months to recover the cost of a network switch based on the cost savings associated with the new switch, then the switch would be considered to have a 5 month ROI.

In addition to cost reduction, there is the network upgrade and simplification factor. By using new switches to support higher data throughput, eliminate redundancy, and simplify networks, you can also experience increased productivity and other benefits that lead to greater ROI.

Managing Internet connectivity and software systems can be a time consuming and challenging task for both IT professionals and business owners. A firewall, though, is one computer safety tool that brings with it many advantages. With so many different firewall options available on the market, it’s important to select not only the most functional one(s) but also those that will bring your company the best return on its investment. This article will detail firewall management solutions offering the best return on investment (ROI).

Whether a singular device or a set of multiple devices working in tandem, a firewall blocks network transmissions to a group of computers based on pre-established rules determining access. Firewalls protect networks of computers by denying unauthorized access while also permitting acceptable communications to pass through amongst the computers. Many operating systems feature software-based firewalls to prevent against viruses or other attacks from the general Internet, and there are many routers that perform similar functions of transmitting data and functioning with firewall components.

The standard format of measuring the return on investment of a networking solution is to evaluate individual solutions on a vendor-by-vendor basis. There are two problems inherent with this method however; one, it is incredibly time-consuming, and two, companies generally really on vendor-sponsored materials when evaluating solutions.

An alternative approach is to use a reverse-selection process; a process that bases its ROI calculations on the 2 major benefits of networking solutions. ROI can be determined in two categories: infrastructure cost reduction and IT productivity.

Whether it’s wireless or traditional telephony equipment, software upgrades, or additional security features, there’s a lot to consider when purchasing networking equipment. From cost considerations to training with new tools, the buying process can quickly become overwhelming. If your business needs to purchase networking equipment, use this buyer’s manual to help guide you through the process.

The first and most important step in purchasing networking equipment for a business is identifying the essential features that must be obtained. New or expanding companies will likely be looking for large packages of equipment, while older businesses may just need software or hardware upgrades. Equipment options include basic telephones, wireless tools like routers, security software, optical and video technologies, and WAN optimization software, just to name a few. Buying unnecessary or unwanted equipment or software packages wastes money and can even result in reduced productivity, as employees must devote time and resources to managing the extra features.

Many small businesses that decide to purchase a firewall become overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices that are available. This guide will show how to streamline the purchasing process and find the firewall that’s best for you.

You should start by figuring out your company’s specific needs. You’ll want to take a look at your network infrastructure and see how many interfaces are required for DMZs and subnets. You’ll also need to decide if you want a perimeter firewall that separates and protects the entire local area network or a segmented firewall that only safeguards a specific portion.

Purchasing a router for your company doesn’t have to be a difficult task. There are several steps you can take to ease the process and make sure that you get one that can properly support your business.

You’ll want to start the process by determining your company’s needs. If you’re planning to download huge files or use VoIP to make phone calls, you’ll need a powerful router that can support a high level of bandwidth. If your employees will mainly be using the internet to check their email and visit websites, you can probably go with a more standard router.

Choosing the right networking solution should start with a thorough analysis of your business needs. After you have determined the type and size of your desired network, you can look for the solution that meets your requirements and fits your budget.

Computer networks are formed whenever two or more computers are linked together and can communicate with each other. The most common high-level business networking is called client-server, where a large number of client computers can communicate with each other and share data and applications using services that run on a central server.

A wireless access point provides access to a wired network for wireless devices such as computers, tablets, or mobile phones. An access point uses wireless protocols such as WiFi or Bluetooth to handle network communications. Home wireless routers act as access points for a small area within a home, while access points for business and industrial use are designed to provide wireless network access over a wide area and for a large number of devices.

Look for the following specifications when shopping for an access point:

 Routers are critical to network operations in any business. The most basic routers direct network data traffic from one network to another, while enterprise routers manage large amounts of network traffic for ISPs, service providers, or other large scale users. The following factors are important to consider when purchasing a router.

• Number of ports
• Wired or wireless
• VoIP support
• Security and encryption
• Configuration options and interface

If your company is in the process of finding a new networking vendor (or is outsourcing these activities for the first time) it can seem that pricing and options span an unfathomably wide range. Choosing the right networking partner for your business is not as difficult as it may seem at first once you break the challenge into smaller pieces and assess the qualities that are most important to your business. Finding the best networking vendor to help your business best utilize your IT resources and efforts can be a monumental step in making your business run more efficiently and cost effectively.

Networking vendors are structured like most other business service providers in that they offer a variety of service and quality levels, varied technical and product specifications, and a range of services that generally fall within set parameters. Finding the right vendor for your business’ individual needs is usually a matter of separating out and defining the most important attributes for your business.

Purchasing network equipment for any size business is best done carefully and with consideration. For many businesses, their network infrastructure represents one of the most significant capital expenditures they will make. Ensuring that you are purchasing the networking equipment that your business needs, and that it will not be obsolete within a short period of time, is generally a matter of asking the right questions and finding reputable vendors as partners.

Networking equipment is a sort of catch-all term that encompasses everything from your computer and data networks to telephone systems, security measures, and a variety of other systems and components that businesses use on a daily basis in today’s tech-heavy workstream. These components are each necessary, and many will make a marked difference in the efficiency and performance of your business. It is important to be sure that you are receiving adequate equipment at each step in the process to ensure that your network will function properly.

Firewalls have come a long way. At one time, configuration was strictly text based, with the administrator typing in line after line of code to program the system properly. Today, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) exist to make the configuration process easier. That said, configuration issues can still occur even for the seasoned network administrator. This article will point out some issues that administrators have run into and talk about how they can be avoided.

This one happens all the time. The firewall gets configured to allow HTTP traffic (port 80) through. Invariably, though, there is a server that requires HTTPS (port 443). Let’s say it’s an Exchange Outlook Web Access (OWA) server. A user on the outside will go to access the URL for the OWA server and won’t be able to reach it. The administrator missed the need for port 443 to be open. Opening port 443 resolves the issue immediately.

When we think of disasters, whether natural or man made, we often think of the cost in terms of property, human lives, and community infrastructure. The reality is that a catastrophic emergency can cripple your business’ network as well and can cost untold sums in lost and irretrievable information and data if not properly protected. Emergency responders have protocols in place when dealing with roads, medical situations, and other more human-related issues that follow disasters of any type – and so should your business’ communications and data network.

Common Catastrophic Network Emergencies:

Many small businesses wonder if they should have an IT help desk or just rely on tech-savvy individuals to solve problems. The answer typically depends on the size of the company, and there are reasons to consider each.

The IT help desk provides a centralized location to deal with technical issues. Employees don’t have to wonder if they should call a particular engineer or programmer or member of the support team. They simply dial the IT help desk with the knowledge that they are trained to handle complex problems.

The most popular buzz word in computing circles today is “the cloud”, as in cloud computing. This document will discuss how to build a network out so it is ready to connect to the cloud.

Most networking vendors offer a wide range of equipment and services to support everything from small businesses to large networking service providers. With such a broad range of networking options available, it can be difficult to find a basic, low cost networking equipment provider.

When looking for low cost networking options, start with the vendors who offer home networking equipment. These may also be useful for small office or small business applications. While there are many vendors who offer networking equipment and services, following is a short list of vendors that specialize in affordable networking solutions.