Every structure--whether it's a home, an office building or
a bridge--needs a foundation. Without one, the structure simply
can't endure or be expanded upon. The same is true in business
today: Every company that relies on information access and instant
communications--which means just about every small business--needs
a solid network infrastructure as a foundation.
Unfortunately, many small businesses don't have a secure,
consistent network foundation. In order to grow quickly, many small
companies have accumulated a hodgepodge of network connection
solutions, including DSL and dial-up. Their network cabling,
hardware and devices (such as routers, firewalls and switches)
often come from multiple vendors.
But multiple vendors and an inconsistent array of network
technologies can leave your business vulnerable to security
threats. Your business can't easily make its data resources
securely and widely available to users. Time, money and resources
are wasted. The business isn't as nimble as it could be.
Workers aren't as productive; customers aren't as
satisfied.
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A solid network foundation that ties all your technologies
together cost-effectively supports your company's business
processes, increases operational efficiencies, lowers costs,
increases security and makes it possible to easily add more
advanced technology as needs arise.
In this month's column, I'll explain what a network
foundation is, how it benefits your small business, and how you can
have one.
What Is a Network
Foundation?
At a high level, a network foundation is a secure, flexible
communications platform that enables your small business's many
data-enabled tools and systems to work together.
A network foundation consists of several key hardware
components, with routers and switches chief among them. Switches
reside in your local-area network, and routers are used to create a
wide-area network.
In addition, a network foundation may include wireless access
points, which allow laptops, printers and other devices such as
handheld Internet Protocol (IP) phones to wirelessly connect to the
network or share broadband connectivity.
And a strong network foundation includes security technology
that's integrated into devices such as routers. This security
provides such protections as firewall technology, which blocks
unauthorized access to your network.
A network foundation may also include devices such as adaptive
security appliances, which protect against network threats and
provide application security, network control and containment, and
secure connectivity technologies.
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