5 Things Company Owners should Consider when Designing their Computer Network
If you wish to design a computer network, regardless if it is one for 10 or 500 people, it is essential to consider what your end goals are, as well as what needs it is going to meet. Balancing the security with the ease of access to information is crucial. There is also the matter of building redundancy in anticipation of breakdowns. All in all, this is not a task you can leave to just about anyone. More often than not, you are going to hire a tech company to deal with it.
When it comes to designing a good computer network, the following tips work wonders:
Staying on top of the connectivity and security game
Connectivity nowadays is not all about wireless access points and Ethernet cables. You can be connected and mobile at the same time. It has become standard to require access to company data when you are out of the office. Balancing the need for such mobile connectivity with maintaining sufficient security is just one of the challenges that a network should deal with. To deal with the challenge, you need to consider it at the design phase of the network. This means thinking about the storage of data, whether it be in-house or off-site, the kind of information that people will have access to, what devices the network will support. The firewalls and access servers need to provide security without slowing down operations significantly.
Redundancy and backing up
In essence, redundancy means having back-up solutions for whatever critical components you have of the network. Even if your company is a small one, you should insist on using two servers. Two identical servers, for instance, could feature fail-safes to make it so that one of them takes over if the other encounters a problem or is in need of maintenance. If your company hosts its own servers or cannot afford to go without Internet connectivity, a second connection is something that you may want to consider.
Having a disaster recovery plan
Any network design should feature a detailed recovery plan. This means making provisions for back-up power and knowing what process to follow if the server or network crashes. A comprehensive disaster plan is one that considers office and building disasters. Whatever the case, it is a good idea to back-up important data daily. Many companies resort to a full back-up weekly. Storing the back-ups off-site is necessary, in case of a building disaster.
Hardware and software standardisation
It is important to standardise software and hardware for ensuring the smooth running of the network. This not only contributes to fewer costs for maintenance but also makes it easier to update and do repairs. You will do well to conduct a full audit of the current computer systems, peripherals and systems to determine which of them should be subjected to standardisation. If everyone uses a different computer model and software, then patching and upgrading the software and hardware might prove difficult and more expensive.
Future growth of the company
When dealing with network design, you have to account for the future growth of the company. Even though it may be difficult to make projections, some allowances are necessary. A small server may be ideal for a small company, but you will quickly outgrow it. Network design with at least 20% growth is something you should always factor in.
Following all of these tips when designing a network is an excellent way to ensure success with this endeavour.
