Datacom & Telecom:

An office network is often referred to as an Intranet (note the slight difference is spelling to that of Internet). Office networking improves computing efficiencies. If you have more than one PC in your office, you will likely improve productivity by networking your PCs, printers, and other peripherals. We can help you determine whether the cost of implementing an office networking solution will be cost-effective for you. For a wikipedia definition of Datacom, click here.

If you have more than four or five telephone lines (e.g. Bellsouth) coming into your office, you could save hundreds of dollars per month by switching your telephone lines to a digital solution. And you may be able to keep your PBX system.

Routers, Switches and Hubs:

Routers are typically used to isolate a network, such as your office, from another network -- such as the Internet. This improves data security. Some refer to this function as a firewall. Routers provide several other useful functions on your network, some you will have no use for, others you will. Routers can also provide the ability to bridge a wired and wireless network -- effectively making the two networks function as one. See Wired and Wireless below. Click here for an in-depth treatment of Routers.

A Switch provides two important funtions on your network. The first is to increase the available sockets to which you can connect network devices (such as computers and peripherals).  The other, less known function, is to improve bandwidth. Switches improve bandwith by helping to ensure that data sent between  two devices remains within the confines of that switch. The process is called microsegmentation. In this way, the full bandwith available on the rest of the network is available to other computers. For more information about Switches, click here. A Hub provides the same expansion features of a Switch but does not offer the bandwidth efficiencies offered by a Switch. Switches and Hubs do not typically offer the benefit of a Firewall or most other features found in a Router.

Wired and Wireless Networks

Simply stated, a wired network is held together by actual cables and often referred to as a LAN (Local Area Network). A wireless network uses radio signals (much the same as your FM radio), to connect computers, and is often referred to as a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). Wired networks offer higher bandwidth options over wireless. Wired networks are arguably more secure (although advancements are helping to render this argument moot). Wireless networks are commonly known to be short distance solutions. However, new solutions offer metropolitan area coverage. There are other details and tradeoffs to be aware of. Click here to learn more.

More useful information for those interested in project management, value engineering, and other MMR solutions is coming soon.