| Because networking is a relatively young science, | | | | those at different sites, have the same access to |
| it borrows language from other disciplines. Many | | | | business applications, Internet Protocol (IP) |
| networking terms come from the realm of | | | | Communications, and videoconferencing as their |
| physical transportation?terms such as bridge, hub, | | | | colleagues at headquarters. Networking solutions |
| port, routing, and switching. That borrowing is apt. | | | | for satellite offices tend to be modular in nature, |
| Just as the transportation revolution, and | | | | allowing you to install just the features you need |
| especially the advent of the railroad, was an | | | | for a particular office. Modularity also enables you |
| economic catalyst of the Industrial Age, networks | | | | to upgrade equipment (rather than replace it |
| are the economic catalysts of the information | | | | altogether) when needs change or an office |
| age. And just as railroads need a solid | | | | expands. An added benefit of this systems-based |
| infrastructure, so do networks. The foundation | | | | approach is that technical staff at headquarters |
| technologies of networks are routing and | | | | can centrally manage the network, which keeps |
| switching. | | | | staffing counts low while providing reliable service |
| The Basics | | | | to employees in all locations. |
| In its most basic form, a network consists of two | | | | What to Watch For |
| pieces of electronic equipment that communicate | | | | Several trends in routing and switching are of |
| data back and forth, connected by a third piece | | | | particular interest to SMBs: |
| of equipment that enables that communication. A | | | | ? Increasing need for Internet connections: Fully |
| printer attached directly to a computer via a | | | | 70 percent of North American SMBs were |
| parallel or USB cable does not comprise a | | | | planning to increase Internet connectivity and |
| network; it becomes a network if the printer and | | | | bandwidth during the next year, according to an |
| computer are both attached to a switch or | | | | April 2004 Forrester report. |
| router. The Internet provided the impetus for | | | | ? Improvements in routing and switching gear: For |
| most companies to adopt a network | | | | example, switches with in-line power, which allow |
| infrastructure. Even the smallest businesses need | | | | placement of wireless LAN access points and IP |
| network-enabled Internet connections to send and | | | | phones anywhere there's a network jack, without |
| receive e-mail, advertise and sell products and | | | | external power. |
| services online, interact with customers, and | | | | ? Managed networking technologies (especially |
| connect with suppliers. Moving to a networked | | | | switches): A managed switch allows the user or |
| environment opens new possibilities, including online | | | | administrator can access it, usually via the |
| business applications and collaboration opportunities. | | | | network itself, to adjust or monitor its operation. |
| Data security also becomes a central | | | | Bottom-Line Benefits |
| consideration with a network. While switches and | | | | Routing and switching technologies can have a |
| routers have evolved and the lines between them | | | | positive impact on your company's financial |
| may seem blurred, one simple distinction remains: | | | | outlook. The Net Impact Study 2003, sponsored |
| Switches reside within a local-area network (LAN), | | | | by Cisco Systems and conducted by Momentum |
| while routers are needed in a wide-area network | | | | Research Group found that companies that |
| (WAN) environment. It's analogous to an | | | | combined sophisticated network infrastructures |
| old-fashioned office phone: Switching is like dialing a | | | | with network-based business applications, and |
| four digit extension to reach someone in your | | | | were willing to reengineer their business practices |
| building, while routing is like dialing 9 to get an | | | | to take best advantage of the technology and |
| outside line, and then dialing a seven- or ten-digit | | | | actively measure the results, reduced their annual |
| phone number. | | | | operating costs by more than 20 percent. What's |
| Systems-Based Solutions | | | | more, they measured a 20 to 25 percent |
| Growing companies, especially those opening new | | | | increase in customer satisfaction. Making informed |
| offices, can opt for integrated foundation solutions | | | | purchase decisions about networking technologies |
| that are secure, solid, and compatible with future | | | | can also save money in the long term. For |
| technologies. Rather than purchasing separate | | | | example having a network that can support |
| products for individual functions such as routing, | | | | advanced technologies such as IP communications |
| switching, security, and Internet gateways, | | | | can deliver savings to SMBs in several areas: |
| companies can choose a "systems-based" solution | | | | ? You can install a single network for both voice |
| that provides everything a business unit needs to | | | | and data. |
| fully and securely connect to the Internet and the | | | | ? You need to purchase and maintain only one set |
| company as a whole. A systems-based approach | | | | of equipment. |
| to routing and switching lets all workers, even | | | | ? |