Top 5 Business Tech Solutions For Networking

Any business in the tech industry will know that an exceptional network is the backbone of any enterprise operation. Without a network that can adequately handle your internal operational demands, your business won’t be able to provide cutting-edge services to its customers.

For example, having a professional network is even more critical in the hosting services industry, as it can directly impact the quality of your customers’ services.

Building a robust, reliable network is what this article will aim to help you accomplish with our top five business tech solutions – relating to networks and networks only.

Let’s explore the options your business has in 2022!

Storage may not be the first thing you think about when you hear the word networking, but storage is just as important as other bits of vital networking tech.

Storage will impact your ability not only to run your servers and workstations but provide great value to your customers. Without comprehensive storage solutions, it will put a strain on your network’s ability to send, receive, and store crucial information. 

Investing in a high-quality storage array is a great way to ensure you have enough storage for all your operational needs. They are also a great way to take the strain off your networking and eliminate any data transfer bottlenecks your operation may face.

It may be tempting to upgrade a router or switch (more on that later) when looking at improving your network, but many folks can neglect to upgrade server or workstation network cards (also known as Network Interface Cards or NICs).

Network cards are one of the most important pieces of tech you’ll invest in when it comes to networking. Without a decent, high-end network card, your internal network will struggle to communicate between devices. 

More modern models of network cards come with improved firmware and better hardware to match, both of which will speed up the rate of transfer a device can have. The data transfer rate is also heavily dependent on the network itself, but having good network cards will never hurt.

Begin by assessing what network cards your devices currently have and then assess if upgrading will be worth the cost. Generally, upgrading network cards every few years is advisable to keep your devices updated with the latest networking protocols. 

As an enterprise grows, so does its network need to grow to accommodate it. Your router is essential in this process as it allows your internal network to communicate with external networks – in this case, the internet. 

But no two routers are the same. Some will be built for small businesses with ten or fifteen workstations, whereas other routers will be built to accommodate multiple servers, workstations, mobile devices, and more.

Your router will also determine upload and download speeds to and from the internet and internet services. Providing that you have a strong external connection, you’ll need a good router to utilise your large bandwidth allocation from your ISP.

To determine what router you require, it is advisable to calculate how much bandwidth your operation will use. You can then make an informed decision based on this number.

Some businesses may find that having just a router isn’t enough. Perhaps they have too many workstations or servers to hook into their router for external communication purposes. A switch can help you solve such an issue.

If you are still relying on a Wi-Fi-based network for all your devices, it may also be worth looking into LAN cables and hardwiring the more critical devices on your network (such as your main server machines or workstations). Again, a switch can help with this.

The function of a switch is to expand the capability of a network to host various devices by expanding the number of available connection ports to a router. However, they also serve to connect workstations and other devices for communication in an internal network.

Switches are the ideal solution if you are at the point in your business’s growth where one router isn’t enough (port-wise) to facilitate all your devices.

The popular switch brands are Cisco, Juniper, Dell, and Brocade. 

If you run a fairly small operation and are having trouble with your Wi-Fi connections, it may be worth investing in a few sets of PowerLine Adapters for your devices.

A PowerLine adapter turns the internal electrical wiring of your office space (or building) into a LAN cable. One adapter plug into the router and a nearby wall socket with a short LAN cable. The second adapter will plug into another socket nearby the device you want to connect, and a short LAN cable connects the device to this adapter.

It is a simple but effective solution for a wired LAN setup without running a huge LAN cable through the office.

Networking is not easy, but with these tips and tools, you’ll be able to build a robust network capable of all your networking needs. Remember that it is always best to bring a networking professional on board to get the best outcome for your business tech solution!