Business networks comprise of one or more Servers that are either resident on the company’s premises and/or hosted off site.
All the company’s PCs, Laptops, Mobile devices and peripherals such as printers and scanners, are connected to the servers via network infrastructure hardware over cabled, wireless, mobile and broadband connections.
Business and home office on premise computer networks can be built using either cabled or wireless technology or more commonly a combination of the two. Cabled networks are still the preferred choice because they are more reliable, offer greater connection speeds and are more secure.
Wireless speeds still lag behind cabled connections and the signal can be affected by the building fabric. However, wireless networks when properly set up and configured they are made more secure with encryption.
Wireless networks are useful in places that don’t lend themselves to cabled networks such as some listed buildings, connecting devices in the home, spanning open plan office where ceiling voids and under floor trunking is not possible, hot spots, hotels and conference centres.
Wireless connectivity has always been the preferred connection for Laptops and other mobile devices and with the technological advance and increase in popularity of smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices, wireless access points and wireless networks are increasingly more popular both in the workplace and home networks.
For all network cabling we employ the services from one of our network cabling partners. They will carry out a site survey and discuss with us and you the topology for your network. The network infrastructure cabling they install is all the labour and materials from the wall sockets to the Patch Panel, which is normally located in s a wall cabinet or server rack.
We will supply and install the network infrastructure equipment, which are as follows:
Local Network Switching Equipment
This category is mainly concerned with equipment that connects PCs, printers and servers together within a site. The main type of device used is the network switch. There is a wide variety available and it is important to ensure that the right switches are used.
Internet Wide Area Network Connection Equipment
This category includes firewalls and routers that are used to connect to the Internet and also to connect multiple sites together to create larger organsiation wide networks.
Network Servers and Server Software
Servers are used for file storage, email, databases, intranets, faxing and many other uses. The number of servers required can vary from one multi-purpose server for a small business environment to any number for large multi-site networks.
Workstation PCs, Peripherals and Application Software
This includes configuring PCs and printers on the network so that users can be up and running immediately including the installation of application software.
Reliable structured network cabling is the backbone of both the computer network and telephone system.
It is important to ensure that the correct cabling is used in the operating environment whether it is in an office, a factory or external cabling. In addition the length of cable runs needs to be calculated to ensure that the cabling adheres to the specifications required by the network. In most circumstances, the same type of cabling and sockets are used for both computers and telephones.
Wherever possible the cabling is installed using a ‘star’ structure where each cable point (or network socket) is connected directly back to a central wiring location. At the central wiring location the cables are normally connected (or ‘terminated’) to a patch panel which is simply an array of network socket connections that correspond to each socket in the building. The patch panel allows connections to each network point to be changed by simply moving a patch cable on the patch panel.
Alliance Solutions offers cabling surveys for new sites and also for existing cabling to ensure that the customer’s requirements are met.
The most common problem with existing network cabling is that there are insufficient network points to meet growing requirements. Existing cabling can often be tested and extended without the need to re-cable a site.
Wireless networks releases the benefit of your network resources to mobile users, and frees the company from fixed network access points.
Wireless LANs offer huge convenience. Laptop users can take their computers with them into meetings and still remain accessible. Desktop users can be more easily moved around the office without the need to get networking installers to add new network sockets, change wiring or the LAN configuration. Enterprises benefit from productivity gains as well as cost reductions.
What is Wireless Networking?
Wireless networks utilize radio waves to maintain communication channels between computers and other network devices and servers.
Can the wireless signal penetrate walls?
Yes, to an extent. Depending on the density of the wall material, there may be some loss of signal. This is a minor issue with standard interior wall materials, and in-building wireless LANs are very common.
Is wireless security an issue?
Yes, Wired networks are typically more secure than wireless environments due to the fact that an individual must physically plug his/her computer into a wall jack in order to use the service (i.e. browse the web or send email). With a wireless network, the network signal is transmitted through the air thus posing a higher risk of interception. It is very important that encryption is enabled on your wireless network