Networking

Networks grow increasing complicated and increasing more useful. We can advise you on the best equipment to build and maintain a reliable network to meet your needs today and tomorrow.

We can source, install and maintain the equipment to support wired and wireless networks in your home or office.

The key elements of a network are described below, many of these elements can be found in single devices - particularly useful for small businesses and homes.

Hubs, switches and routers

A network switch, or hub, is a small hardware device that joins multiple computers together within one local area network (LAN).

Network switches are similar to network hubs, but a switch generally contains more "intelligence" (and are generally more expensive) than a hub. Switches are capable of inspecting data as it is received, determining the source and destination device, and forwarding it appropriately. Consequently a network switch conserves network bandwidth and offers generally better performance than a hub.

Routers route data to other networks until it ultimately reaches its destination. A router is typically connected to at least two networks, commonly the local network and the Internet. Routers are located at the gateways, the places where two or more networks connect.

Wireless access points

Wireless access points allow the connection of a wireless device to a wired network. The key benefit is that this allows individual devices on the network, such as laptop computers, to be mobile. They also allow networks to be setup without expensive investment in cabling.

Network storage

Network storage devices store data that can be accessed by all computers on the network. Two advantages of this type of storage are that computers remain independent of each other and that critical data is more easily backed up.