How to Build a Stable IT Network

When you started your business you may not have given much thought to your IT network.  But now that you have grown you have likely faced the challenges when your network has failed you!  When building an office network, it’s important to determine the best foundation for your company’s needs. I hope this blog gives you some tips to get the most out of a stable IT network!  

Having a good IT managed network will decrease systems downtime, decreases the time it takes to trouble shoot infrastructure issues, decreases the chance of intrusion to your company systems and the impact this may have, decreases risk to the organization and ultimately increase the productivity of your user community.

First some definitions:

• Switches connect multiple devices (computers, printers, servers) on the same network within a building. A switch enables connected devices to share information and talk to each other. Building a small office network isn’t possible without switches to tie devices together.

• Routers tie multiple networks together. When building a small office network, you’ll need one or more routers. A router connects your networked computers to the Internet. This enables all connected computers to share one single Internet connection. A router acts as a dispatcher, choosing the best route for your information to travel. It connects your business to the world, protects information from security threats, and can even decide which computers get priority over others.

• Managed Server is your own dedicated hosting service that also provides data storage services. In addition, managed servers have their own maintenance and backup systems.

• A virtual LAN (VLAN) is any broadcast domain that is partitioned and isolated in a computer network.

• Simple Networking Management Protocol (SNMP) is an internet standard protocol for collecting and organizing information about managed devices on IP networks

Let’s get started!

1. Implement a managed server and user network switches on the network.

2. Configure your VLAN to segregate your servers from your users. This is done by configuring multiple networks on the switches and configuring inter VLAN communication on the network switches.

3. Configure static IP addresses on your switches, SNMP (for monitoring software) and time sync.

4. Update the switches to the latest firmware and software.  Remember it is important to always keep them up-to-date.

5. Invest in business-grade switches and routers for reliable communications. Consumer or home networking products can’t keep pace with the challenges of business growth

6. Invest in a network that can grow over time, so you can add features and functionality as needed. Additions to consider include video surveillance, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), integrated messaging, and wireless applications.

7. Make sure your switches and routers are easy to install, use, and manage. Example: Switches with in-line power allow you to place equipment, such as wireless access points, anywhere there’s a network wall jack. You’ll be spared the trouble and expense of installing additional electrical outlets or wires to power the devices.

Benefits to implementing on a stable IT network:

1. This approach makes trouble shooting network issues easier since you can examine the switch logs.

2. By having a managed switch, we are able to gracefully restart or shut down the switch which could reduce hardware failure when you simply unplug the power cord.

3. Segregating your network increases network performance by reducing broadcast on the network.

4. Increase productivity of your IT staff.

Make sure your network is designed with reliability and redundancy in mind. This provides the business continuity you’ll need to bounce back quickly from unforeseen circumstances.

This approach makes managing your IT more efficient allowing you to get back to your core strengths.  Need help setting this up?  Call Mantralogix at 1-866-320-8922 and we’d be pleased to assist you!