Keeping your business network up and running in Nampa is vital to productivity. It can be difficult to accomplish this task, however, unless you’re familiar with all of the different “nuts and bolts” that make up the network and how they fit together to create something great. Experts in network support can help set your network up perfectly, ensure that it is functioning optimally, and maintain its quality as time passes.
What parts make up a business network?
There are a few different parts that combine in order to create your network. These include:
- Routers
- Switches
- Wireless Access Points
- Firewalls
Let’s take a look at some of the things your network support specialists will be monitoring.
Routers
Some networks, like local networks that connect printers to a group of computers, aren’t connected to the Internet at all, but rather to other networks within a particular area. For those that are tied to the Internet, however, a router is the device that ties those different networks together. This generally means tying your business network to the network of the Internet itself.
Switches
Switches allow devices on a network to communicate. This includes devices like printers, desktop PCs, VoIP software, servers, and surveillance systems. Any device with an Ethernet port can be connected to a switch, which then connects them to the overall network. Note that this does not mean the devices are connected to the Internet. As mentioned briefly above, routers are what connect networks to the Internet – switches just gather devices into a particular network.
Wireless Access Points
In average-sized homes, installing a router to connect your home network to the Internet is usually a fairly simple task. The router is usually strong enough to emit wireless signal coverage throughout the whole house, in other words, and the signal “just works”. In a business environment, this task is a bit more complicated. Because office buildings tend to be fairly large, it is likely that the wireless signal your router emits is not enough to cover the whole area. In this instance, wireless access points (WAPs) are used to help extend both the reach and scale of your wireless network. This allows more devices to connect in all areas of the office building.
Firewalls
Chances are good that you’re already familiar with the idea of a firewall. You might have even encountered it on your home computer while trying to use a particular program or connect to a particular website. Firewalls are network security devices that monitor outgoing and incoming traffic in a network and makes a decision to block or allow the traffic it observes. This is generally done via a set of defined security rules. Your firewall is what allows the devices connect to your network to access the Internet while remaining safe from known problem sites or software.
Contact Connect2Geek for help setting up your network!
When you’re ready to set up your business network in Nampa, make sure that you have some of the best help around!
The professionals at Connect2Geek can help provide the network support you need at a price you can afford. Reach out to them today for more information.