SubscribeAs e-mail and Internet access become indispensable tools there are increasing pressures to link business computers together both within single sites and also between regional locations.
Tele-workers and home workers alike need to access corporate information as if they were in the office. Data networks are traditionally divided into three categories: Local area, campus-wide and wide area.
Local area networks simply put refers to the network inside a building. A LAN can be anything from a short length of cable to link two computers together to a fully hierarchical multi layered network with several distribution points throughout a building connecting many thousands of computers together.
They both achieve the same thing: a network packet is transmitted by one computer and received by another. The art is designing the network so that as it increases in size no noticeable deterioration in performance is seen. That is why you need ESP because we not only understand the requirements for running the physical network cabling but also understand how it needs to be connected to minimise performance bottlenecks that single-handedly could bring your network to its knees!
Campus-wide networks refer to the linking of networks that are relatively close to each other. There are many fibre optic technologies available to link these buildings together and the distance of the link can have a profound effect on the price. By analysing the current and future use of the link ESP only installs the most appropriate fibre optic cable and networking hardware for the length of the link, often saving a considerable amount of money with absolutely no change in performance.
As your network becomes more dispersed the cost of connecting them together with fibre optic cable becomes prohibitive and the distinction of the network becoming wide area is made.
Traditional WAN links utilise telecommunications links, whether they be simple dial-ups or high speed leased lines. When the offices are geographically local, for instance in the same dialling code area, this is a highly cost effective solution. However once the offices spread out throughout a country or even internationally then the costs of the links can grow exponentially. This is because most telecommunications links are priced depending on the distance travelled.
As most organisations now have a good link to the Internet the alternative of virtual private networking is presented. A VPN allows private information to be encrypted and sent safely across a global public network like the Internet using specialised hardware. The biggest benefit to using VPN's is the cost saving over establishing point to point leased lines.
The hardware for operating VPN's has become very affordable. In the simplest of forms, ESP can use a low cost VPN router and a broadband connection to the Internet to allow your Tele-workers to securely access your head office using only a dial up account to the Internet.
To find out how you can benefit from the ESP experience call 0118 916 9300 or send an e-mail to sales@esp.co.uk
