How to Securely Organize the Computer Network Infrastructure of Your Small Office
How to Securely Organize the Computer Network Infrastructure of Your Small Office – When you are doing the cabling for your LAN, some of the important things to think about include the users or devices that need to connect to this network, the location at which you are doing the cabling, and the purposes of the cabling itself. It is essential to be aware that the LAN infrastructure can always make use of one of the two primary varieties of network switches that are available. Both the standard Power over Ethernet switches and the Power over Ethernet (POE) switches are included here. POE switches are switches that not only transmit data packets but also provide power to the device that is connected to them at the other end.
Because the type of CAT6 cable that you have to use will be determined by the location where the LAN infrastructure is being laid, it is important to pay attention to where this will take place. There are primarily two distinct varieties of CAT6 cables from which you can make your selection. The former is referred to as (STP) shielded twisted pair, while the latter is referred to as (UTP) un-shielded twisted pair. Since STP cables have an additional layer of shielding built into the sheath, using them in outdoor settings is technically recommended. When exposed to the severe conditions that are found outside, this additional sheath ensures that your cables will not become worn out or broken. When compared to the indoor UTP cable, the STP cable is typically more robust and comes at a higher cost.
Make an Informed Decision Regarding Which Switches to Use on the Network
Whether or not you need to power any devices over the network, such as IP phones, cameras, or access points, among many other things, will determine whether or not you need a switch that supports Power over Ethernet (POE) or one that does not support POE. Data transfer rates are frequently used to classify different types of network switches. When it comes to networking, faster switches are always preferable because they improve connectivity speeds and ensure a more robust network.
Considerations to Make Before Setting Up the Local Area Network
1. The number of users currently connected to the network is an important aspect to take into consideration. This is due to the fact that it will determine the subnet that you are allowed to use. If you expect to have more users than a single subnet can support, you have an obligation to provide an address range that is large enough to accommodate the total number of users you anticipate. In the following article, we will discuss the management of the subnet mask.
2. Make sure that you have a visual representation of your devices, particularly the shared resources on your local area network. Devices such as printers, scanners, SQL database servers, exchange servers, and access points, amongst others, will be included in this pool of shared resources. Internet protocol (IP) addresses that are static are almost always expected to be present in devices of this type. In order to acquire a more complete understanding, we will talk about intellectual property (IP) in a separate article. A savvy network administrator should always have the shared devices on static IPs for ease of administration. This will help prevent confusion and conflicts on your network. It is essential, on the other hand, that you make certain you do not assign IP addresses to these devices that fall within the lease range of your dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) server.
3. Make certain that you have a firewall installed in between the router provided by your internet service provider and your LAN switches. This is significant because it helps ensure that your network is protected from unauthorized intrusions or log ins, both of which can be dangerous. A reliable firewall will always improve network security, and these decisions can be made depending on the specifics of your network and how it is used.
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