PDG offers a complete arsenal of IT Solutions, mainly products and services that help keep your employees productive and more efficient while they’re on company time. The idea behind what we offer is simply this: we will offer and implement the technologies to keep your company on the leading edge of technology without breaking the bank. With today’s advanced methods and resources, the possibilities are endless with so many different technologies ranging from Wireless, VPN Tunnels, Mobile Workstations, and so much more. Building a solid IT infrastructure is a true pillar of your business and is greatly impacted by many factors including bottlenecks, physical hardware, outside intrusions, and periodical upgrades.
Backbones and Bottlenecks
A network is only as fast as its slowest component and a great network starts from the ceiling down. That statement alone is broad but very true. As your company gets involved in more technology endeavors the previous statement comes to be known in a hurry, especially when a core network malfunction causes delay and requires additional repair or labor time when a new feature is being added. PCs should have (at minimum) an adequate amount RAM (todays standard is at least 2-3 GB), a respectable Processor and Front Side Bus Speed, an updated and virus free Operating System, and a Gigabit Network Card. If your computer is being held down because it is outdated or infected you are not seeing what your network can truly do. Your overall network scheme has a great impact as well as far as the choice of a domain or workgroup configuration. By implementing a server into the equation, you are letting one machine manage all access permissions and other resources and allowing all of the workstations to be centrally managed. Also it allows for scalability and flexibility since individual components can be replaced and also new components can be added with ease. Servers also free up resources on local machines and give great Backup Solutions.
Gigabit Networks
Those blue wires that we all know and love (and on some occasions have tripped over) are called Category5e, Category6, or Ethernet Cables and they link all network hardware respectively. By mentioning “the ceiling” earlier, we were trying to elaborate on the proper installation, care, termination, and use of this cabling as it is basically the lifeline to your Network. Currently, Gigabit networks (10/100/1000) are becoming the standard because they offer a faster transmission rate over the previous (10/100) “Fast Ethernet” network standard. The benefits to any business’ network can and will be noticed as employees are moving information back and forth across a network between PCs, printers, and other devices. Cat5e is still used, however it is not part of a true Gigabit setup. All cabling within ceilings and walls should “Plenum” rated cable, not just ordinary Cat5e or Cat6. While normal cabling would do the job, Plenum cabling is actually insulated in a special manner so that has a low flame spread in the event of a fire and also rated to coincide with other building and structure code regulations. Also, true Gigabit networks use special wall jacks, punchdown blocks, and network hardware to keep the pipe open. The best way to understand how this works is to visualize how a highway works, if the wrong connectors or jacks are used in your cabling, that is like closing lanes on a highway for a short span then opening it back up, which hinders speed. For instance, a computer with a standard 10/100 Ethernet Card does not get to benefit from Gigabit Technology. Respectively, if you have all Gigabit cabling and connectors and are using only a 10/100 switch to link your network you are not getting the full benefits of Gigabit as well. Next in the line of bottlenecks would be the actual PCs and hardware connected within your location. Outdated PCs are sometimes better to be nonexistent in a network rather than connected, especially if a USB printer or other local items are shared off of them.
Locking it all down
Cabling and hardware aside, security is the next biggest key in a fast, efficient network. Anti virus software should be implemented whether there is a server in the network or not. The best overall solution is a server using an Endpoint-Style Anti virus system that manages everything and pushes the software and updates directly to all PCs on the network automatically. This method keeps all PCs on the same page and as safe as possible from attacks. Most Importantly, today’s threats aren’t just standard viruses anymore. They range from the standard Trojan virus that can be caught with a basic anti virus client and cleaned easily all the way up to a piece of spyware or malware that can steal saved credit card information. These threats are very real, and can be expensive to repair as well as devastating to a business. Other protective measures include installing an active hardware firewall into your network, securing your wireless router, and training users as to what NOT to click on.
Upgrades and Advanced Technologies
Once a network is stabilized, secured, and running correctly other technologies that add even more features can be added with little or no complications. Wireless routers are a great addition to just about any network as long as they are secured correctly. If you have a retail area or other areas where customers have to wait for a short period of time, Wireless Internet or “WiFi” is sure to please as it will allow your customers’ laptops and advanced cellphones to connect to the internet while they wait. Another great feature is Virtual Private Network or VPN which allows you to work from anywhere just as if you were sitting at your desk. This works great for remote printing, file sharing, and much more. We even have customers who monitor their security cameras from anywhere they can get online! All this is made possible by VPN and Remote Access and the other great technologies that are becoming more advanced every day.
For More Information
Hopefully the above information gives better insight or maybe even taught you something you didnt know about your network. If you have any questions please call 800-971-0878 to speak with one of our technicians or email us at sales@pappasdg.com with any questions you may have!