| When planning a computer network installation | | | | job. This will save you time and hassle over doing |
| make sure you have the right technology to do | | | | it yourself. |
| the job. Make sure if you need support you have | | | | One thing you might consider when doing a |
| already contacted your local vendor. Some | | | | Network installation is getting bids from local |
| questions to ask yourself regarding your network | | | | vendors. They can help you for free find the right |
| diagram. Will you be upgrading or using your | | | | equipment and software. They can perform a |
| current inventory? If you are upgrading now is | | | | mini needs assessment and quote what you need. |
| the time to upgrade hardware and software. If | | | | A great tool for asking for help and getting it for |
| you can locate your software license number you | | | | free. You might even find a local networking firm |
| can save money when you upgrade. Instead of | | | | that can help just in case you get yourself tied up. |
| purchasing the full package you can purchase the | | | | Once you have ironed out your computer |
| upgrade package. | | | | network installation the next thing to do is |
| Now I know you have heard of Cisco, but what | | | | purchase the parts. Once the parts have arrived it |
| you may not know is that Linksys was purchased | | | | is your job to connect the hardware, software, |
| by Cisco. Some parts like the Linksys 8 port | | | | switches and other networking devices together. |
| router / vpn / firewall for $350 dollars is a $1000 | | | | Outsourcing some of the network is a cost |
| dollar appliance. Great tool for small networks. The | | | | saving and time saving step. This you might want |
| Linksys 8 port router / vpn / firewall has a twist, | | | | to consider. |
| it also load balances and has a failover. Not even | | | | If all goes well you will have a running network. If |
| the most reasonable competitor aka Sonicwall can | | | | you have some money left over you might want |
| compare. | | | | to call a local network specialist just to audit what |
| Let us move on to the network cabling installation. | | | | you have done. Make sure to backup your data |
| I know you are trying to save money. Doing your | | | | and to do a restore. This way you know you will |
| own wiring is not the time to do so. Get a | | | | have your work product just in case your server |
| professional who is certified to pull wire do the | | | | crashes. |