Networks
It would be easy to choose to network several PC's on one site without
knowing what is the best option. For many small installations, Windows
networking with Win XP will be all that is needed. There are however,
a number of aspects to networking that need to be considered. Click
on the links for answers.
What level of
security do I need.
What sort of
cabling is required.
Do
I want or need an internal email service.
How
much time will be spent on administration
We have found that networking separate computers together,
particularly with a dedicated server, is one of the most
effective productivity gains for small offices, as long as the
right choices are made at the start.
What
level of security do I need.
This is dependant on several things;
1. Do you have personal or confidential information that you
wish kept between you and the subject(s).It is required
by law that any information kept on computer, be
disclosed to the subject of that information on request,
but you must keep personal information confidential.
2. Do people other than staff members have access to files
across the network.
3. Do you have internet connection to one of the network
computers.
Out of the box, Windows 9x networking has little in the way of
security for individual computers, but can easily limit disks and
directories shared over the network . It is possible however, to
make things difficult enough to deter the casual snooper, and
add-on programs can be purchased to limit access to individual
files and directories on local computers, by requiring a password
to be entered.
Dedicated networking Operating Systems such as Windows NT-based (including 2000 and XP),
NetWare and Unix, have built in security to individual file
standard, but with higher capital and running costs, with the
exception of Linux, a Unix-like system.
In the end, the choice comes down to the cost versus security
need. Often the cost wins out initially, only for the savings to
be wiped out by needing to change the whole network at a later
date, due to expansion or increased security requirements. As
with most I.T. taking time to plan in future requirements can
save a lot of money further on down the line.
What sort of
cabling is required.
The three main types of network cabling are known as 10Base2,
10BaseT and 100BaseTX. In order they are;
- 10Mbits throughput using thin coaxial cable - this is
daisy-chained from one computer to the next with
terminators on the end. Requires one card with T piece in
each computer, co-ax cable, and two Ohm Terminators. The
cheapest option.
- 10Mbits throughput using UTP (Telephone-like) cable -
Requires one card in each computer, a hub to wire all
computers back to, and Cat3 or 5 cable. Normally this
will be connected through wall plates with hidden
cabling. If only two computers are to be connected, a hub
is not required, but a specially wired cross-over cable
is. Less prone to cable problems than 10Base2.
- 100Mbits throughput using UTP (Telephone-like) cable -
Requires one card in each computer, a hub to wire all
computers back to, and Cat5 cable. All the components are
more expensive, and the cabling has to be installed to
Category 5 standards, not really a DIY job.
Which you require depends on how many computers you currently
have, and how many you intend to have at your present site.
Normally 10Base2 or 10BaseT will be sufficient, but if you are
making heavy use of the network, moving large amounts of data
around, then the additional cost of 100BaseT may be justified.
Do
I want or need an internal email service.
Depends entirely on the size of the current site, and whether
all staff members are in the office at the same time. Can be
easily set up on a network of Win9x computers. Main benefits are
time-lapse communication, staff pick up email when they are in
the office, and messages are held until deliberately deleted.
Main disadvantage is that you will need to keep a computer on all
the time during office hours to achieve the benefits, not a
problem if you have a server, but accesses from other computers
will slow down a computer used for regular work as well.
How
much time will be spent on administration
This is another of the 'How long is a piece of string?' type
questions. A simple network, once installed and running, should
not normally give any administrative problems. Having said that
we don't discount the unfailing ability of computers to do things
they shouldn't! Depending on the Operating System, areas where
administration may be needed are;
- Setting up and maintaining email accounts.
- Backing up any centrally held files.
- Adding or changing user rights and passwords.
