Client portal
Tech insights
videos
Nearly everyone who uses a computer linked to a network of one kind or another on a daily basis. Businesses worldwide depend on computer networking.
But who designs, sets up, and maintains business networks in Wilmington, Delaware?
Computer networking specialists are important to businesses because they are the IT professionals that keep the information flowing from one computer user to the next. IT professionals ensure that your company has the right network design, network implementation, network security, and network support.
Wilmington Delaware businesses looking for reliable computer networking should know the basic characteristics of a network. What is a network?
A network is two or more computers, servers, or mobile devices connected in a way to allow for resource sharing. A key feature of a network is the ability to produce files on one computer and access, use and store them on other computers throughout the network. Another significant advantage is the sharing of peripheral devices such as printers and fax machines on the network – eliminating the need for multiples of these devices.
A basic network has five elements:
- Computers, workstations, servers, mobile devices
- Cabling
- Router
- Network Cards
- Protocols
Menark Technologies provides Wilmington, Delaware businesses with computer networking that drives pro-growth business benefits.
- Combined Computing Power – Connecting computers, servers, and mobile devices allow a company to leverage the combined computing capability of those devices – accomplishing tasks much more quickly.
- Internet Access Sharing – Because the various workstations are integrated with the network, they can share the same internet connection – saving you money.
- Simpler Data Management – By using system-wide data management protocols, it is easier to exert control over the flow, use, storage, and retrieval of data.
- Better Data Protection – Having data stored in more than one computer is good for data protection. More than that, because all your computers are tied into your network, their data can be backed up locally and to the cloud through the network and internet connection.
- Performance Balancing – Sharing resources throughout the network disperses the load and allows for better overall performance.
- Elevated Performance – Because of the inherent efficiencies of computer networking, an organization can improve its overall efficiency through the use of the network.
- File Sharing – With a network in place, it is easy for files to be shared from one computer to another and back again without the need for email attachments or uploading/downloading to a cloud application.
- Lower Licensing Costs – Some software packages allow for the entire network to use the application under one license. This bulk user licensing can be more cost-effective than a per-seat license agreement.
- Greater Storage Capacity – Because each computer is tied into the next within the organization, the storage capacity of the individual machine is far less important. Each machine can utilize the storage of other computers, servers, or cloud-based storage.
- Centralized Administration – By incorporating all computers, workstations, servers, and mobile devices into a network, the organization can control processes, protocols, and maintenance centrally rather than dealing individually with each machine – saving time and labor costs.
- Resource Sharing – In a computer network, users have access to the peripherals attached to other computers as well. Printers, monitors, storage, USB, and Bluetooth devices are all available to the individual user (except when blocked by administrative protocols). This setup negates the need to buy multiple external devices for each computer or workstation.
- Connectivity – The very fact that the computers, servers, and mobile devices can “talk” to each other opens up a world of efficiency and productivity potential.
What are physical elements of computer networking that go into a Wilmington, Delaware business?
- Cabling – Commonly, Cat5 RJ-45 cables are used to connect computer to computer or computer to other devices within the network such as switches and routers. It is best to partner with an IT professional such as Menark Technologies to ensure that the cables are run properly through your facility.
- Distributors – Also known as “hubs,” distributors are used to connect multiple pieces of hardware. A distributor is different than a switch or router in that it does not have software that tells it to send the information it receives to any particular attached device. Instead, all the information that goes into a distributor is pushed out equally to all attached
- Switches – Switches come in two general types – managed and unmanaged. A switch is used to push information from one computer to another on the network. Unlike distributors, switches are built and programmed to channel data packets to specific attached computers or servers – rather than dispersing the data packet to all the attached
- Routers – Routers are the devices that connect one network to another network. Most commonly, connecting an internal network to an external network – like the internet.
- Bridges – A bridge is a device that transfers data between two separate networks allowing them to function as one network.
- Modem – A modem is a device that allows a computer on a network (or a wireless device in the case of a wireless modem) to move information out of the network and across telephone, cable, or fiber-optic lines.
- Interface Cards – Also known as “network cards,” interface cards plug into the motherboard or USB port of a computer and allow it to access the network. Interface cards come in two types:
There are four network options for your Wilmington DE organizational leaders to discuss with a computer networking professional.
- WLAN – A Wireless Local Area Network or WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) delivers network functionality over a large geographic area and uses radio transceivers instead of cabling to connect the various machines on the network.
- WAN – Wide Area Networks are used to connect LANs (Local Area Networks) over a large geographic area such as a state or country. Usually, WANs are used by larger corporations or governmental agencies. WAN uses one of the following technologies: Point to Point, Circuit Switched Technology, and Packet Switched Technology.
- LAN – Local Area Networks are used for a very specific geographic area – usually confined to a single facility. LANs are high speed and use technology such as ethernet, token ring, or FDDI (Fiber Distribution Data Interface).
- MAN – Metropolitan Area Network – A MAN is used to network several facilities in the same geographic area – such as a university campus. MANs use technology such as ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), SMDS (Switched Multimegabit Data Service), and FDDI (Fiber Distribution Data Interface).
What should your Wilmington DE business be looking for in a computer networking professional?
IT professionals come in all shapes, sizes, personalities, and attitudes. So, what makes a computer technician a good choice to design, implement, or maintain your Wilmington Delaware company’s computer network?
Your computer networking professional should exhibit:
- A calm, analytical, problem-solving outlook
- Strong research skills and a willingness to collaborate with colleagues when he/she doesn’t have the answer.
- A diligent habit of record keeping – documenting everything that he/she has done and changes made to the original network design.
- A communicative approach that allows the computer networking professional to deal effectively with client-business staff and leadership.
- A desire for continuous learning to stay on top of the evolving landscape of computer networking.
- A passion for technology – giving the technician the ability to enjoy his/her work.
Looking for a Wilmington, Delaware computing networking specialist? Give the IT professionals of Menark a call at 1-866-339-0959 or send an email to info@menark.com
Menark’s approach to outsourced IT services is focused on supporting the success of your organization in the same way that we foster the successes of our team. Every step in the Menark process has been developed by our team with the productivity, profit, and growth of your organization in mind.
