Network Installation – Everything Your Business Needs to Know About Network Installation

For every modern business, big or small, reliable network infrastructure is crucial. Regardless of your business’ size, installing your network correctly will work to ensure strong connectivity and improved security. As your business grows, it’s important to reassess your needs and update your existing network to suit.

Getting started with network installation can be tricky. We’ve put together this guide to run you through the basic processes, whether you’re installing a network yourself, or relying on a third-party installation service.

What Should a Network Do?

A good network is what gives life to a business, enabling communications, file sharing and backups. Your basic setup will rely on a variety of hardware to enable both wired and wireless connectivity.

Modems & Routers

Routers work to form a local area network (LAN) that devices in a building can connect to. A modem works to convert analogue signals from telephone lines to digital signals for computers to understand. Many routers will incorporate modems into their hardware so that you don’t need two separate items.

Wireless Access Point

Usually built into the router, a wireless access point is required for computers to connect to a network wirelessly.

Network Switches

Network switches help manage traffic to maintain your network’s speed. They accomplish this by centralising data and filtering data packets to see which devices require them, meaning that only systems that really require the data are receiving them at any given time. In addition to this, switches offer extra ethernet ports, allowing for more devices to be wired into the network.

Firewall

Firewalls come in both hardware and software forms. Firewalls filter information that passes through the network and actively scans them for viruses and malware. This adds a layer of security to help prevent costly data leaks.

Server

A server is a primary computer in the network which works to store and distribute all data. Single machine storage is far more secure as it gives you access control. Servers are either on-site or in the cloud, both being worthwhile options.

Cabling

Whether your network is wired or wireless, at some point wires will need to be involved. There are two kinds of cables frequently used: copper & fibre optic.

Copper cables remain cheap and accessible, and come in a variety of standards, ranging from Cat 3 – Cat 8, with each increment working faster and at higher frequencies. Most networks use copper cables because of their availability and low cost.

Fibre optic cables are comprised of small glass strands which transmit data using light. Fibre optic is currently unmatched in speed and durability, and is considered the future of network cabling. Many are choosing to opt for this in order to future-proof their networks.

Planning for Network Installation

Before installation, there are key aspects of your network that you need to prepare for. If you currently have a network running, or are installing a new one, assess how well it’s functioning by asking key questions:

How many users, computers and other devices does/will the network have?

The more users & machines you have, the more intricate your network will need to be. If you’re including a variety of devices, certain measures will be needed to ensure functionality (such as installing network cards).

How many users are on site, and how many are remote?

With remote working becoming more prevalent, it’s important to consider how many of your users will be present on site, and how many will need access to the network remotely. Security concerns will need to be addressed as soon as possible.

What server-based applications do you need to run through the network?

Whether you run simple databases and email, or more complex applications through your network can make a big difference to your needs. Assess what the minimum hardware requirements these applications will require to function properly.

What server specifications are you looking for?

Different servers come with varying amounts of memory, processing power etc., meaning that you’ll need to research exactly what you need before committing to a solution.

Installing Your Network

Now that you’ve got an idea of what you need, and you’ve gathered all your component parts, it’s time to start installing your network.

Ensuring that your network is installed properly is critical. It’s important to remember that your network will require servicing and work done in the future, so creating it in a way that it’s easy to access will allow for convenient maintenance.

A structured cabling system acts like a series of veins connecting your network. It is comprised of the cabling and relevant hardware to build out your network’s infrastructure. The cabling system begins at the point where your service provider ends, so it includes cabling through your building and all internal hardware. Structured cabling usually relies on using the same twisted pair of ethernet cable throughout.

Network Installation Services with CAB IT

CAB IT take a flexible approach when it comes to your network. We understand that every business is different, and we work to identify the most effective and functional network implementation that your business needs, taking into consideration the size of your business, the amount of data that you’ll be processing and your growth goals to create the ideal bespoke network for you.

We have years of network installation experience – get in touch with our experts for advice on how we can help improve your network infrastructure.