Network Design & Advice

Keeping up with ever-changing technology is hard enough. Choosing the best way forward for your business can be a real headache whether you are planning a new network or enhancing your established infrastructure. Then there's the added pressure to 'do more with less.'

e Solutions HS's consultants are able to assist with the analysis of current and future organisational needs and the subsequent effects to your network infrastructure. A solution can then be designed to meet both your business and budgetary requirements and enable you to efficiently build, expand and integrate your business through best practice processes and technologies.

Benefits if choosing e Solutions HS:

• Knowledge and resource of experienced and qualified network consultants.
  Analysis of infrastructure changes highlighting technical impacts, as well as impacts on business processes and the user base.
• Tried and tested best practice processes and technologies minimising project risk and accelerating the time to project delivery.
• Consideration of present and future commercial and technical objectives ensuring resilience and scalability.
• Thorough planning and analysis optimising return on investment and controlling future expenditure.
• Downtime, slow response times or bottlenecks in the network are costly, often resulting in lost sales, lost customers and lost productivity - something every IT department works hard to avoid. However, it is not always possible to prevent all possible downtime scenarios or be able to detect the reasons why this should happen in the first place.

e Solutions HS's troubleshoot service provides rapid, definitive, on-site diagnosis of network infrastructure, network operating system and network application problems. Our technicians are not only highly skilled in all aspects of IT network infrastructure, they also have a wealth of experience in diagnosing problems and are able to quickly identify the area of the network that may be causing the problem. With the aid of specialised network testing equipment that collects statistical data from the network, we can definitively prove our findings and then advise corrective actions.

Technically we diagnose all seven layers of the OSI model -

• Application - Slow response times/optimisation
• Presentation - Compression/Encryption
• Session - Dropped connections
• Transport - Retransmissions/throughput
• Network - Missing networks/congestion
• Data Link - CRC errors, Encapsulation
• Physical - Speed sensing/Cabling

Benefits of choosing e Solutions HS:

e Solutions HS's accredited network engineers identify and resolve a multitude of network issues on a daily basis and receive frequent education and updates direct from industry leading vendors relating to emerging issues, updates, patches and fixes. Therefore providing a highly experienced and educated team to ensure swift symptom and fault recognition and best practice resolutions.
e Solutions HS has invested in high performance analysis and testing equipment which, coupled with the experience and knowledge of the engineers, further adds to quick and efficient fault identification and satisfaction.

 

Network Installation & Support

A failure in your network can cost your business money and possibly compromise your reputation and the confidence held with your customers and staff.

Hardware and software failure is just one area for consideration when looking at the level of support and back-up that your infrastructure requires. Other areas for consideration are: theft, physical damage, security breaches and systems failures.

e Solutions HS provides a range of professional support services for voice and data infrastructures to give you the peace of mind that you have policies and service level agreements in place for an efficient and timely resolution, should anything go wrong.

Benefits of Choosing e Solutions HS as your IT Support Provider:

• Hardware and software updates.
• Reduced downtime.
• Guaranteed response time.
• Remote support management.
• Cost control.
• e Solutions HS's investment in skills and equipment.
• Resolution and fix by certified systems engineers.
• Compensation of skill gaps.
• Knowledge transfer opportunity.
• Bespoke Support Solutions are available to incorporate any combination of the features above.

 

Wireless Networking

Mobility is no longer a barrier to productivity and efficiency but now provides a true competitive advantage. Accessing real-time data whilst at a customer site, whilst travelling or whilst working outside of normal office hours now allows a more flexible and efficient approach to business processes.
Wireless networking technology, fuelled by the emergence of cross-vendor industry standards such as IEEE 802.11, has produced a number of affordable solutions that are fast becoming a realistic business benefit for all types of industries where the installation of network cabling is not practical.
802.11. A group of specifications, developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), for wireless networks that are used to manage packet traffic over a network and ensure that packets do not collide - which could result in loss of data - while travelling from their point of origin to their destination. These are: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. Each access point typically covers 50-100 metres of open space with current specs for 1, 2, 11 and 54 Mbps. It is intended to provide for interoperability of wireless LAN products from different manufacturers. For security and privacy, 802.11 accommodates the use of Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), a wireless authentication protocol based on I.D. keys and bit-encryption.

Benefits for the organisation:

• Reduction in total cost of ownership as costs such as cabling and office space can be radically reduced.
• Business processes can be improved and the organisation becomes more efficient as productivity rises.
• Customer meetings are more informed and therefore more productive.
• Improving data availability, decision making and account management processes will improve customer satisfaction.
  • Geographical and time restrictions are lifted, providing another competitive advantage.
  Temporary wireless networks can be easily set up for temporary office facilities, exhibitions and events.
  • Easily scalable and portable A wireless network access point can be installed without the disruption and costs associated with a cabled network point.
  • The wireless network can be extended or moved to areas where a cabled infrastructure wouldn't be cost-effective or practical to do so (a warehouse for example).
  • Businesses operating in listed buildings can adhere to restrictions that may effect the installation of a fixed-cable network.

Benefits for the user:

• No need for training on new devices as existing mobile devices can be used.
• Freedom and flexibility in where they can work and when.
• Improved client account management away from the office as real-time data can be made available at the client site.
• Access to real-time data enabling more efficient and informed decision-making.

 

LAN - Local Area Network

A form of networking technology that implements a high-speed short distance method of computer communications, such as in a department, office, home or building.
Most LANs connect together multiple devices so that users can use, for example, one printer or one set of applications instead of having an individual printer or application on each personal computer.
LANs are capable of transmitting data at very fast rates, much faster than data can be transmitted over a telephone line; but the distances are limited, and there is also a limit on the number of computers that can be attached to a single LAN.
The most common wiring technology for a LAN is Ethernet, although wireless technologies are evolving. 3 types of Ethernet to consider:

• Standard Ethernet - 10Base-T. Operates at 10Mbps on Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable. Suitable for small files.
• Fast Ethernet - 100Base-T. The most common type of Ethernet network. Supports a maximum transfer rate of 100Mbps and perfect for moving large files such as multimedia documents.
• Gigabit Ethernet - Scaleable and perfect for video files.

Four common LAN topologies exist: bus, ring, star, and tree.

• Bus topology - One of the most widely used LAN topologies. A linear LAN architecture in which transmissions are broadcast across the length of the channel and are received by all other nodes. Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 networks-including 100BaseT-implement a bus topology.
• Ring topology - A series of devices connected to one another by unidirectional links forming a single closed loop. Both Token Ring/IEEE 802.5 and FDDI networks implement a ring topology.
• Star topology - A common central hub, or switch, connects the network endpoints by dedicated links. Logical bus and ring topologies are often implemented in a star topology.
• Tree topology - Identical to the bus topology, with the addition of branches with multiple nodes.

Benefits:

• Information can be easily shared allowing for quick and informed decisions to be made, saving time and money.
• A more productive and competitive environment is achieved through greater teamwork within the organisation.
• Network-based communication such as email is considerably cheaper than using the phone or fax and sharing resources such as printers gives more efficient use of equipment at lower costs.
• Standard versions of procedures and directories can be made accessible to everyone.
• IT administration can be centralised.
• Data can be backed-up from a single point on a scheduled basis ensuring consistency.
• Everyone is working from real-time shared information and so reducing the risk of error.

 

 

Server OS

A server is a host computer on the network that stores information and performs critical functions for a particular purpose.

Examples of types of server:

• File server - General data and file storage.
• Print server - . Management of print queues.
• Web server - Storage and availability of web documents.
• E-mail server - . Directs email to the appropriate destination.
• Backup server - . Provides redundancy by copying the contents of another server.
• SQL server/Database server - Provides access to database files.
• The operating system is the single most important programme on a computer and provides a platform to run applications. The most popular PC operating systems are: DOS, Mac, Windows and Linux.

Essentially an operating system has two primary functions:

• Management of the computer's hardware and software resources eg processor, memory and disk space.
• A stable, consistent method for applications to communicate with the computer hardware.

 

 

Routing

Routing is the transportation of data across a network where the data passes through at least one intermediate device.

Routing and bridging are often compared as they appear to carry out the same function. However, there is one distinct difference. Bridging occurs at the OSI Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) and utilises MAC addresses, whilst routing occurs at the OSI Layer 3 (Networking Layer) and utilises IP addresses.

Routing involves two basic functions:

Determining optimal routing paths; and
Transporting information through a network.
In the context of the routing process, the latter is referred to as packet switching.

Routing protocol uses metrics derived from path variables such as: bandwidth, cost, hop count, load and delay to discover the optimal path to a destination. Routing protocols will run these values through complex formulas to find the optimal path. This information is put into the routing table and the device is informed of which interface to use. Once this has been ascertained the router will use information in the table to route the data.

 

Switching

Many applications are very demanding on network links and as a result data is often inefficiently transmitted. To combat this, switches provide clear paths to and from each node whilst maintaining multiple, simultaneous data transmissions, unlike bridges and routers that process packets on an individual 'first come first served' basis.

Switching technology has therefore superseded bridging as the process of forwarding data from one segment of the LAN to another using layers 2, 3 and 4 of the OSI model. Switches are hardware based and provide enhanced throughput performance, higher port density, lower per-port cost and greater flexibility.

A switch examines the data and uses the addressing information to determine its destination. It then creates a virtual link to the destination and transmits the packet there.

• Layer 2 Switches (The Data-Link Layer) - Individual devices are identified using physical network addresses. As they are just sorting physical addresses layer 2 switches are very fast. However, they aren't very intelligent as the packet is not examined any further than to see its destination.
• Layer 3 Switches (The Network Layer) - IP addresses are used to identify locations as well as identifying the actual device. Layer 3 switches are therefore more intelligent than layer 2 switches and incorporate routing functions.
  Layer 4 Switches (The Transport Layer) - Layer 4 switches identify application protocols and manage communications based on the MAC address, IP address and the application to which a packet belongs. Priorities can be applied to mission-critical applications when switching at this level and security policies are enforced through management of protocols at port and user level.
• Benefits of a managed switch environment

A network can be segmented into VLANs - Virtual Private Networks (possibly by departmental or hierarchical groups) providing improved manageability and security.
Troubleshooting is aided through port monitoring, packet error detection, and fault isolation.
Greater network insight and manageability allows for a pro-active, rather than a reactive approach to network management, reducing downtime, and assisting with future infrastructure planning.
Tracking and isolation of issues acts as a back-up should any problems occur.
Workload and trend analysis ensures that the network is running at it's optimum performance and also highlights the impact of any changes made.
Increased functionality allows for greater flexibility, scalability and the provision of capacity reservation.
Class of Service enables traffic prioritisation through packet classification at the network edge, utilising Layer 3 and 4 information, and provides bandwidth control.

 

Network Storage

Businesses are required to comply with more and more data laws and regulations set by the Government and Industry. There are more than 18 different data compliance acts affecting UK companies making compliance one of the biggest challenges facing IT departments.

Data storage is no longer just a matter of retention for internal use but now regulations stipulate that some data must be kept for certain time periods and in certain cases be available within just 24 hours. Therefore, storage solutions must address how data is kept, protected, shared and retrieved. In addition to adhering to data compliance regulations networked storage enables higher availability, better network performance and increased uptime.

It is necessary to perform a business analysis to highlight compliance commitments relating to each data type. This analysis can be used to assess the best technologies for your compliance requirements. In addition to a storage infrastructure solution it is also imperative to implement effective disaster recovery.

Storage Area Network (SAN) - is a high-speed sub-network connecting storage devices and servers to provide consolidated storage and storage management. Data is not stored directly on to any of the network's servers, maintaining server power for business applications and releasing network capacity to the end user. SAN is highly scalable and can offer high system availability, extensive fault tolerance and low cost of ownership.
Network Attached Storage (NAS) - relocates storage from application servers onto its own independent platform. The server still handles the data processing but a NAS device will deliver the data to the user. By consolidating storage, resources are more scalable and manageable and hard disk storage space can be added to a network without shutting down existing severs for maintenance and upgrades.
Direct Attached Storage (DAS) - as the name suggests, is a storage device that connects directly to a single server for storage and retrieval of data and database applications or email. Performance is not as high as NAS and it requires high capital expenditure.
Benefits:

Economies of scale - Organisations can manage more data for less money by consolidating data across the network rather than using many distributed devices (as would be the case with DAS)
Business continuity planning - A common data location allows copies to made quicker, with less disruption and more efficient migration than with disk-to-disk or disk-to-tape methods. Improving business continuity and a providing efficient disaster recovery.
Improved management - Single point storage allows for easier data management and monitoring.
Compliancy - Data is stored and made available in compliance with associated laws and legislative guidelines.