To build a network infrastructure for your small business, you need to consider a few things. It is quite different from setting up a home network. Business network designs are more complex and need high security. Here is the basic list of devices that you will need.
Modem
A modem modulates and demodulates electrical signals sent via coaxial cables, phone lines, etc. Modulation is the transformation of digital information from your computer into analog signals to transmit over wires. Whereas demodulation is the translation of incoming analog signals back into digital information that a computer understands.
Modems support DOCSIS(Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) which is useful to transmit the internet over hybrid fiber-coaxial cable. But with the increasing use of optical fiber, modems have become obsolete. They transmit higher bandwidth over large distances. So if you need a high data transfer rate in your office then you will not need a modem.
Router
A router transmits packets of data to your device. So a router connects all your devices to the internet. You probably cannot use the routers that we generally use at our homes. You will have more connections like desktops, laptops, tablets, printers, guest devices, etc. in your office. So, if your business needs 20 or more connections you should probably invest in commercial or business-grade routers.
Firewall
As we have locks and security systems for our home/office, a firewall is the security system for your computer network. Based on the security rules you set, it monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic. Thus, it protects your network from unauthorized external access.
Nowadays all electronic devices have firewall security but it is not enough to protect your confidential data from external attacks with just one layer of security. Thus, a dedicated hardware firewall works as an added layer of security. Just like a router based on the number of users, you can choose a firewall with enough capacity.
Switch
A switch is an important piece of hardware your office must-have. A switch allows you to communicate and share information between all your devices like desktops, laptops, printers, etc. Thus, switches are useful for interconnecting devices. Unlike home, offices need more ethernet ports because of multiple devices. There are two types of switches for small businesses to choose from.
Unmanaged Switch
This is the most basic type of switch as it can be used as it is without any configuration. It is less expensive but lacks some advanced features. It is a perfect fit for small businesses.
Managed Switch
The managed switch provides you control over the network. You can configure your switch and set port bandwidth, modify VLANs, etc. Managed switches are a little expensive and need some technical knowledge to operate. You can manage this remotely which makes them ideal for large offices.
Ethernet Cable
Now that you have all the hardware devices, it is time to connect them. Ethernet network cables are responsible for delivering sufficient bandwidth to your access point. There are various categories of
ethernet network cables to choose from. For small businesses,
Cat5e network cables are the way to go. If you are going to use devices that need high bandwidth, you can go for Cat6 cables which are slightly expensive when compared to Cat5e network cables.
Other Hardware Devices
Apart from the devices mentioned above, there are other things that you can install to upgrade your network to meet demands when you scale up. They are access point, repeater, patch panel, PoE, cable management, and network security implementation.
Wrapping Up
While building a network infrastructure for your business, keep in mind the space to scale. Once you have a clear understanding, invest in good quality business-grade devices that are most reliable and also scalable as and when needed.
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