Intra-nets, that is, networks that run within a business and connect its offices and departments, have become a critical business asset, as well as a research and administrative tool. But making a local area network (LAN) work for your company requires you to ask some serious questions. Some things to consider:
The role of the network. How will employees be using the business network internally and externally? If you measure downtime in terms of dollars lost per minute, then your network demands a design and investment.
Applications. Many line-of-business applications demand a specific type of network server, and some will only work with certain makes and models of printers and input devices. You might think that you'd like to have the economy of networking under Windows 95 or 98, but the core business application you want to use might be designed for MS Windows NT or some version of Unix. You should make your decision about any key line-of-business applications and ascertain their requirements early in the process.
Outside connections. Should your employees have Internet access? Should you establish a private network across the Internet (an intranet, extranet or VPN) for communications with your suppliers, accountants, shippers, and other business associates? Do you want to route secure office traffic across the Internet using architectures such as virtual private networks?
Ethernet. Ethernet has come to denote a large package of interoperable computer connection technologies from many different companies. The most common connection is called 10Base-T - 10 Mbps signaling over unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) wire. Ethernet technology called 100Base-T offers the same connection reliability and interoperability, but 10 times faster.
Every networked computer needs a LAN adapter card, also known as a network interface card (NIC). If you're buying new PCs, then you should purchase them with Ethernet connections already installed. Every major PC manufacturer offers this option. If you aren't buying new PCs, then you'll either have to add NICs to your existing hardware, or you'll have to pawn the job off on somebody else, like a consultant.
The so-called 10/100 adapters for PCs are available at prices ranging from about $30 to a little more than $100. The higher priced adapters typically have some special capabilities, such as internal management and reporting, as well as a PCI interface. Older-technology ISA adapters cost less, but are often much harder to install because they lack plug-and-play support. As long as the system has an open PCI expansion slot, you should order a PCI-based NIC.
The cable needed to connect networked computers can present a significant challenge. If neatness counts in your office, you'll pay a lot more for cabling that's long enough to hide. You can buy your own cables with connectors attached and snake them behind desks and around doorways if you want to do your own wiring. You should specify Category 5 cables and connectors. A 100-foot cable will cost about $40, and a 25-foot cable will still be about $16 because most of the cost is in the connectors
