Network Solutions from Design to Support

One of the big advantages of computers is the ability to transfer data between computers, share data, all through a carefully designed computer network.

A computer network is considered to be a group of two or more computers connected to each other. The connection can be directly by cables, through a series of cables and network devices, or wireless connections. Using these direct network methods normally means that the speed of the connection is fast, how fast? Typically data can be transferred through cables at up to 100 Mbps (100 Megabits per second) or even up to 1 Gbps (1 Gigabit per second) for a cable connection, a bit slower for wireless connection. Put this into context, a DSL connection to the internet could typically run up to speeds of 8 Mbps.

When considering a network for a small or medium sized organisation will probably use a local area network (abbreviated to LAN). Local area networks are computer networks ranging in size from two computers in a single room to hundreds or even thousands of devices spread across several buildings. Using LAN technology the network can provide shared access to printers, file servers, and other services.

LANs in turn may be plugged into larger networks, such as larger LANs or wide area networks (WANs), connecting many computers within an organization to each other and/or to the Internet.

The technologies used to create LANs are extremely diverse. Universal components consist of the physical media that connect devices, interfaces on the individual devices that connect to the media, protocols that transmit data across the network, and software that negotiates, interprets, and administers the network and its services.

The implementation of networks can be speeded and made more flexible by removing going wireless. This provides added requirements, primarily in terms of security, however with the correct implementation this can be overcome.