Home and Small Business Networking

If you're reading this web page, then you're on a network. Actually, you're on the big mama of all networks: the Internet.

Networking is a term used for connecting two or more computers together. Networks can be simple, consisting of as few as two computers and maybe a handful of peripherals; or networks can be massive -- even spanning oceans and continents. Let's take a closer look.

Why network?

Networking is about sharing. Two or more networked computers can be configured to share data and resources. This increases efficiency and keeps costs down. For example:

• Companies can make all of their customer data available to every member of the customer service department by storing that data on a single computer and networking their employees' machines together.

• Co-workers collaborating on the same project can instaneously review each others' work and make comments and revisions -- even if they're separated by great distances.

• Networking makes it economically feasible for families and small businesses to purchase high-quality equipment (such as printers and scanners) by enabling multiple users to share the devices.

What's involved in Setting Up a Home or Small Business Network?

Home and small business networks generally usually are pretty straightforward and require little more than reasonably modern computers, network cards in each computer, a switch or router/switch to which all of the computers are connected, some cable to connect them all, and a geek who knows how to make the whole thing work.

Networks with more than a few workstations (and even very small networks whose users will be using certain software) should be controlled by a server that acts as the workgroup or domain controller, stores and serves files to the clients computers, controls access to the Internet by the client computers, and runs server-side software applications.

In cases where running cable would be difficult or impossible, wireless networking may be a solution. Although not as fast or dependable as wired networks, wireless technology is an option when wired networking is impractical.

If you are located in Western Long Island or Southern Westchester County and would like more information about how Geek on the Run can help you connect and configure your home or small business network, please click here.