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Network

Author: TechShortcut Staff | Article updated: January 27, 2009

1. Overview

The purpose of a network is to share resources and facilitate communication within a specific location, like an office or a store. Networks within a limited location are referred to as local area networks (LANs). When you connect computers with a network, you can share devices like printers, disk drives and scanners, or services like an Internet connection. Networks can be linked to the outside world by connecting to the Internet.

Considerations

Network Type
A simple network can be implemented between a few computers as a "peer-to-peer" network where each computer is equal and establishes its own sharing policies. When more than a few computers are to be linked, a more centralized and maintained approach is to use a centralized network server to administer all aspects of the network.
Security
Basic security includes authentication and authorization. Authentication verifies a user's identity and authorization identifies what a user can see and do. If you are connecting to the Internet, you will want a hardware or software firewall. If you plan to use a wireless network, add encryption which scrambles your communication.
Resources
Identify what resources like printers, scanners and servers should be shared.
Bandwidth
How much data will be pushed or pulled through the network? What applications do you plan to use?
Voice over IP (VoIP)
If you plan to use VoIP through your network, you will want to make sure that you can do it without slowing down your applications or adding interference to your calls.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
VPN allows secure access to a network from a public network like the Internet. VPN enables users to connect outside the office to use the same applications they would in the office so they can work anywhere at anytime.
Operating System
Most operating systems include basic networking components. Determine whether network software includes support for all the operating systems you have on your computers.
Wired or Wireless
Decide whether to use wired, wireless or both options to connect users to your network. Wired is more reliable but the flexibility of wireless is hard to beat.

Implementation Options

1. In-House Local Area Network (LAN)	2. Internet as Your Network
A very simple network can be implemented between computers as a "peer-to-peer" network where each computer is equal and establishes its own sharing policies. Software to create a "peer-to-peer" network may already be included with your operating system. When more than a few users are concerned, a more centralized and maintainable approach is to use a centralized network server to administer all aspects of a network.	You still need all the network hardware to connect computers to the Internet connection but it is possible to run your organization through the Internet. If you still need to share local printers, there is software to allow sharing local printers through the Internet. Improvements in security have transformed the Internet into something that can be virtually private. Authentication, authorization and encryption are included in most multi-user applications.

1. In-House Local Area Network (LAN)

2. Internet as Your Network

A very simple network can be implemented between computers as a "peer-to-peer" network where each computer is equal and establishes its own sharing policies. Software to create a "peer-to-peer" network may already be included with your operating system. When more than a few users are concerned, a more centralized and maintainable approach is to use a centralized network server to administer all aspects of a network.

You still need all the network hardware to connect computers to the Internet connection but it is possible to run your organization through the Internet. If you still need to share local printers, there is software to allow sharing local printers through the Internet.

Improvements in security have transformed the Internet into something that can be virtually private. Authentication, authorization and encryption are included in most multi-user applications.

2. Option Comparison

	1. In-House Network	2. Internet as Your Network
Requirements	An operating system that supports networking	Internet connection
Cost Factors	Hardware
	Router with a firewall and a server if central administration is needed. Network cables must be installed unless you are using a wireless network.	Router with a firewall. Network cables must be installed unless you are using a wireless network.
	Software
	Server software may be needed if you are creating a network with centralized administration.	n/a
	Labor
	Install cables, router, firewall and software, configure & upgrade network software	Install cables, router and firewall for the Internet connection.
Security	All data resides within your network. Security depends on the security measures put in place.	All data resides outside your premises at your Internet software service provider or on a server at your host.

3. Next Steps

Creating a local area network within an office has been the standard for many years. However, anywhere anytime access, enhanced security and virtual organizations have made the option to use the Internet as the company network a bit less radical.

	1. In-House Network	2. Internet as Your Network
General Advice	Use when you need solid control over your resources and central administration.	Use when you are not terrified of security issues, you have a reliable Internet connection and you rely on applications that are Internet-based.
Find Local Tech Specialists Search TechShortcut's tech profiles for specialists in your area	Network	n/a
Find More Information Use Research Helper to find related web articles	Computer Network LAN Apple Computer Network LAN Linux Computer Network LAN Unix Computer Network LAN	n/a
Examples of Products and Services These are not endorsements, simply some product or service names we encountered in our research to get you started finding your best fit.	Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory	Printer Sharing Printer Anywhere