Guide to Networking Essentials Fifth Edition

Guide to Networking EssentialsFifth Edition Chapter 11 Supporting a Small Business Network

Objectives • Address the needs of a small business network • Identify small business network equipment requirements • Identify small business application requirements • Describe the issues of supporting a small business Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Addressing the Needs of Small Business Networks • Small business • Independently owned and operated • Does not dominate its field of operation • Revenues of less than $500,000 and/or fewer than 500 employees Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Addressing the Needs of Small Business Networks (continued) • In this chapter, a small business has: • Fewer than 200 computers • One or two locations • Modest technology needs • Most small businesses don’t require a complex, highly restrictive security policy, data encryption, or advanced WAN technologies • There are exceptions; one size does not fit all Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Data and Application Sharing in a Small Business • Peer-to-peer or server based network? • When possible and when funds allow, use a server • If you use a peer-to-peer scheme, limit the number of computers hosting network resources to minimize potential problems • Designate as few computers as possible as file-sharing computers • Each user should have a home directory on the server, making backups easier • Other users may have read access to each other’s home directory to facilitate file sharing Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Data and Application Sharing in a Small Business (continued) • Typically, one or more common folders that the entire company has access to or departmental folders shared among members of a department • Applications can also be shared across a network • Many applications can be installed on a network file server and run from workstations Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Configuring Simple File Sharing in a Windows XP Network Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Configuring Simple File Sharing in a Windows XP Network (continued) Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Configuring Advanced File Sharing in a Windows XP Network Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Configuring Advanced File Sharing in a Windows XP Network (continued) Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Sharing Files in a Windows Domain Environment • If more than one computer is required to share files, using a file server with a centralized user database is best • In Windows, install a domain controller • User accounts only created on the domain controller • Desktop computers/servers become domain members • This centralization of accounts vastly simplifies resource management when resources are spread among two or more computers Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Sharing Files in a Linux Environment Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Equipment Sharing in a Small Business • Printers are usually shared in a network • A typical issue in small businesses is sharing personal printers attached directly to a user’s PC • Better: connect printer directly to the network • Or, use a small network print server box • Scanners can also be shared • Some scanners come with their own sharing software and can’t be shared like printers • External HDs and card readers can also be shared Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Communicating on a Small Business Network • Network communication methods • E-mail, instant messaging, calendar sharing, whiteboard sharing, and video conferencing • E-mail in-house systems • Microsoft Small Business Server • Novell’s Small Business Suite • Linux built-in e-mail server (sendmail) • Instant messaging (IM) is a popular application because communication happens in real time • E.g., Microsoft Messenger, AIM, ICQ, IRC Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Equipping Small Business Networks • Most advertisements for network equipment are aimed at large enterprise network administrators • Equipment required for most small businesses is considerably more modest • A rack full of blade servers is overkill for most small businesses, unless their business is Web hosting • A typical small business environment might consist of one or two servers, some workstations, a few switches, and a router to connect to the Internet Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Servers and Desktops • You may go to small business solution centers • When purchasing a server: • Buy as much HW as the budget allows, to meet the estimated needs for the next 2-3 years • Memory and storage expansion are critical • Look for fault-tolerant storage solutions • E.g., use RAID 1 (disk mirroring) on the drives containing the OS and applications and RAID 5 (disk striping with parity) on data drives • Business desktop computers emphasize productivity software and manageability Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Networking Equipment • Where should you put the equipment? • Most small businesses don’t have a large wiring closet made especially for the network • An existing cabinet can be used with an eight-port switch bolted to the wall of the cabinet • Don’t forget to ensure adequate ventilation Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Making a Wired Connection • Running cable from the back of the computer directly to the hub or switch might be tempting • Don’t! When you move the computer, you might not have enough cable slack • You should have network jacks at the work area wired to a patch panel in the wiring closet • Category 5e or 6 cable should be used and tested • Preferable to use switches instead of hubs • Consider: speed, managed/unmanaged, support for multiple media types • Be sure to keep in mind company’s security policy Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Making a Wireless Connection Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Communicating with the Outside World • Even small businesses need to communicate with the outside world • Besides Internet connections, many businesses need employees to access the company network from home or while away on business • Some issues discussed in this section include Internet access, dial-up connections, and virtual private network connections Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Accessing the Internet Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Accessing the Internet (continued) Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Dial-up Remote Access Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

VPN Remote Access • A VPN remote access connection can be made as long as both parties are connected to the Internet • VPN modes • Gateway-to-gateway VPN mode • Client-to-gateway VPN mode • Some inexpensive VPN routers support either mode • Beware, VPN pass-through doesn’t create a VPN connection • The number of endpoints or tunnels router supports tells how many VPN connections can be established Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Identifying Requirements for Small Business Applications • The application needs of small businesses range from ho-hum simple to quirky and complex • Not all software is designed to operate over a network with multiple users accessing the data • Software licensing is also an issue • Just because an application has been purchased doesn’t necessarily mean it can be installed on the network or on multiple computers • Consult the end user license agreement (EULA) Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Small Business Accounting Software • A number of accounting or bookkeeping applications are tailored to small businesses • As a network technician/administrator, your job is not to support the function of these applications, but to help ensure that the network is set up to adequately run them and to be sure data is backed up • Should the SW be accessible by multiple users? • How should access to the application be secured? • Older software packages might not integrate with Windows well or support networking directly • How is the software and its data backed up? Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Sales and Contact Management Software • Sales and contact management software offers features that are way ahead of a rolodex • Industry standards: Goldmine, Maximizer, and ACT! • These packages are customer relationship management (CRM) • CRM software has support issues similar to accounting software Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Is Linux a Viable Desktop Alternative to Windows? • Consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) and application support • TCO is the cost including intangibles such as support costs and productivity gain or loss • In application support, Linux-based Web browsers and e-mail clients are more than satisfactory, and a number of powerful (and often free) office application suites are available (e.g., KOffice, OpenOffice.org) • Support for industry-specific applications is lacking • There are solutions for running Windows applications in Linux (e.g., WINE and VMware) Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Supporting a Small Business • The job of supporting small businesses can be more difficult than supporting a large business • Large businesses might have somebody who specializes in supporting the network infrastructure, another who supports servers, one who supports desktop OS, and still another who supports specialized applications • Small businesses often use a hired consultant • This is where you, the entrepreneur, come in Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Entrepreneurs Wanted • If you decide to specialize in working with small businesses • Understand their needs • Tell them what technology can do for them • Important to know the choices available (accounting/CRM software, office suites) Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Entrepreneurs Wanted (continued) • Understand and respect the way companies do business • Working with small businesses can be financially rewarding and create a sense of achievement • First, convince small business owners to place their information technology in your hands Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Getting the Job • Before developing proposal, listen to requirements • Talk to: owner, manager, people actually using the computers, working with customers, etc. • Small businesses expect vendors to be customer friendly • Be responsive when (potential) customer calls you • In the proposal, be detailed about what’s included in the price you are quoting • Provide multiple quotes when appropriate, and spell out the advantages of the higher-priced option Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Securing a Small Business Network • Do not neglect security in your proposal • Spell out how you plan to secure network and data • Determine what type of security will work best with the business • When discussing a business’s needs, be sure to emphasize the trade-offs between an open policy and a more secure policy • Factor in how this company currently does business and whether tight security is even a requirement for its business Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Passwords and Backup • Not all businesses need password policies that require frequent changes and complex passwords • It is the consultant’s job to make technology work for a business, not against it • As long as you explain the ramifications of an open security policy, and that’s what the business wants, you need only carry it out • Every business needs backup • Process should be clear and concise so that any one of the business’s users can do it • Can create an image of a hard disk Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Security from the Outside World • Antivirus and antispyware software are a must for any computer with an Internet connection • A firewall should be in place for most businesses that share a connection to the Internet (e.g., DSL) • You may use a software firewall (e.g., Windows Firewall) or a router equipped with a firewall • For more complete protection, opt for a router described as a firewall router • If you’re running a WLAN, extra care must be taken to ensure that outside wardrivers can’t break into your network and gain free reign of its resources Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Managing a Small Business Network • In managing a small business network, there’s nothing like personal contact • However, sometimes on-site visits are impractical or unnecessary • Ways to achieve remote access to a network • VPN • Dial-up • Telnet • Windows Remote Assistance • However remote access to the network is done, it must be done securely Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Summary • Most small businesses have modest computer network requirements that don’t require advanced WAN technologies, data encryption, or highly restrictive security policies • A server-based solution is often the best solution, but a peer-to-peer network is an option • By default, on Windows XP, file sharing is disabled • When enabled, simple file sharing is on by default • Two most common choices for file sharing in a Linux environment are Samba and NFS Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Summary (continued) • E-mail is the primary communication tool in most networks; other tools include instant messaging, calendar/ whiteboard sharing, and videoconferencing • When choosing network equipment, you need to decide between a wired and wireless network • Internet connection and remote access usually require a broadband connection and a router • Small business application requirements can range from simple and straightforward to very complex Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Summary (continued) • Common applications small businesses use • Office applications (word processor/spreadsheets) • Accounting software • Sales and contact management SW • Working with small businesses requires excellent communication skills • Remote control options should be considered, including Remote Desktop through VPN, dial-up, Telnet, and Windows Remote Assistance Guide to Networking Essentials, Fifth Edition

Guide to Networking Essentials Fifth Edition