An Introduction to Networking

By The British Chambers of Commerce

You want your business to progress but you’re being pressured from all sides. Margins are being squeezed, competition is increasing, costs are rising and everything seems to be changing – always! Time is your worst enemy, simply because there isn’t enough of it.

You can’t work any harder, so you’ve got to work more intelligently. You’ve got to make technology do the work of many. Then your business can make a truly astounding leap in progress and efficiency.

When you’ve got two or more computers in your office, it makes sense to connect them together. Intercommunication is easier, resources can be shared and files, data, reports, research, plans and diagrams – the content of your business – can be exchanged instantly between users. Office devices such as scanners, copiers, faxes, desktop and large format printers can now be shared by the connected (networked) computers, which makes more efficient use of your resources. And you don’t need a printer attached to every computer. You can buy or lease a quality printer that will handle everyone’s tasks, from simple letters through to the most complex colour schematics, such as design visuals and complicated, colour-keyed, flow charts and diagrams.

A network is a collection of computers and other electronic devices that are either connected by cables or run wirelessly to enable them to communicate with each other. Networked users can share and exchange information (files and programs), access business services (email and applications) and share resources (printers, servers, copiers, scanners and fax machines) easily and efficiently.

A LAN is the most basic type of network. It chains a collection of computers together, or connects them to a more powerful computer that becomes the network server. A LAN has both hardware and software and it is the network hardware that physically connects the computers. In a typical LAN, the hardware includes:

• a switch or hub
   
• network interface cards (NICs) - either wired or wireless
   
• wireless access point (optional)
   
• network cables

It is the network software that allows desktop applications, such as word processing, slide presentations, calendars and spreadsheets, to be seen by other users on the network.

In an interconnected office, ideas are shared easily allowing intelligently informed decisions to be made. Everyone and everything moves faster, saving time. Things can happen with fewer meetings and users can have access to better quality shared equipment. Teamwork improves and the closer collaboration of people within the business makes it more productive and more competitive.

Network-based communication options such as email and instant messaging cost much less than phoning and faxing and can significantly reduce your telephony overheads. And the ability to use the Internet with secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology readily enables interoffice networking. Once again, your business can benefit from major cost savings.

Shared resources are used more often and more efficiently and new users can be brought online easily without incurring substantial additional costs.

Networking creates mobility. It allows business resources to be accessed from any place on the network and, with remote access, users can work anywhere and still be fully connected, improving customer service, without interrupting the daily flow of business.