Computer Technology and the Networked Organization - Assignment Example

Network Setup and Design Introduction Small businesses such as medium-sized food store commonly are deprived support from big IT firms. The perfect network for medium-sized food store therefore must be candid and effortlessly controlled. There are no two businesses that have the similar needs and complications arising at the same time. One of the guiding principles to achieve this is using the simplest strategies to accomplish the required outcome. The size of a business must addressed according to the provision of computer support required. A small business has only one or two persons dealing with computer issues. Many businesses employ a specialist to launch their computer surrounding and then depend on internal staff to keep it running. This essay articulates on network setup and design of a medium-sized food store, the structure of securing, socio-technical linkages and maintaining the network. Small business such as medium-sized food store establishes computing, which has an atmosphere that is unique from the largest computing environments that support large businesses. These large business computing environments are frequently known as enterprise networks. An Enterprise networks have thousands of end-users and comprises of wide-area network links, mainframe systems, complex array of servers and the like (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). An enterprise network serves various geographical settings and numerous buildings at each site. It is typical of an enterprise network comprising of numerous networking devices. An enterprise network depends on a backbone network that canals data between sites and local area networks at each location. An enterprise network uses refined equipment that must be handled by highly skilled network administrators. Smaller businesses have more uncertain computing and networking specification depending with the clients. The business will purchase a couple of computers and a laser printer. The network for the medium-sized food store must permit its employees to share information, resources such as printers and other peripherals. The networking requires a single LAN with one server, using off-the-shelf components (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). Network Structure Network structure design is compulsory for any computer network, whether it is small business or home network. The network structure is designed earlier prior linking and installing the software and hardware components. We collect supplies and make a strategy to evade from imminent problems and outline a safe and dependable computer network. Network design is constructed in accordance to the type and size of the small business or large enterprise. The small business will be installed with hardware such as switches, data cable, modems, routers and other networking devices if necessary (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). To start with designing the technology and networking architecture for this business is identifying the three classifications of a network properties. This is the Topology, Protocol, and Architecture. An internetwork is an assembly of personal networks, linked by transitional networking devices that works as a distinct large network (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). Internet working denotes to the industry, products, and techniques that meet the test of constructing and managing inter-networks. Topology Topology identifies the symmetrical or physical arrangement of the network setup. The most typical topologies are star, ring and bus. A bus topology arrangement stipulates that each computer on the network is linked to a mutual central cable, known as a bus where data is channeled. This topology is rather simple to set up, but a very slow network. A ring topology layout defines that each computer on the network is connected to two other computers and organized in a ring shape structure. The ring topology is complicated to set up, but delivers a high bandwidth of the data signal. In a star topology structure, defines that all computers on the network are linked to a central electronic device known as a switch/hub. The star topology may seem easy to set up, but, jams may arise since all data must pass through the switch/hub (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). For this business, the ring topology suits it best due to the high bandwidth offered by this network. Protocols A protocol defines a shared collection of constrains and hints computers on the network to use while communicating. There are numerous protocols, every protocol having different merits over others. Before considering the ideal protocol to assign to the network it is important to run through the most common types of protocols which include Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), IPX/SPX and NetBEUI (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). TCP/IP allows unrelated computers to communicate, this protocol is used for the internet basis. This protocol can send data through a router on its way to its terminus. The protocol must travel lengthy distances and pass through numerous minor networks. The TCP/IP is a routable protocol. In the end, this procedure of communication, slows data passing down a little, but this capability makes it very suitable for big networks. This protocol helps in using of common applications such as e-mail, file transfer and terminal emulation (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). However, NetBEUI on the other hand is designed for small LANs type of networks. NetBEUI protocol is created by Microsoft and it’s very fast and efficient to use for small businesses. NetBEUI is deprived the addressing like that of TCP/IP and IPX, which means that it can only be used on LANs type of networks. The limitation of this protocol is that it cannot access networks via a router. Both protocols are therefore applicable under different usage at a time for efficient running of the business (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). Architecture Architecture refers to one of the two main types of network architecture. The network architecture is either, client/server or peer-to-peer. In a medium-sized food store, Peer-to-Peer networking configuration is suitable because no server is required to get the job done. The computers are basically connected with each other in a network to share resources such as printers, files, and Internet access. This architecture is very common for small businesses configurations and practical for workgroups of less computers (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). Security To toughen the operating system of the system in the workplace, it is important to install antivirus software. Prevention procedures include processes to frequently evaluate the business networks security bearing. This is a very important junction and flexible solutions or current technologies and platforms should be implemented in the network (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). The tools necessary to analyze system weaknesses, include tools such as the Security Administrator Tool for Analyzing Networks (SATAN) (Halinen & Törnroos, 2005). Some recently accessible tools for the purpose of scanning and intrusion detection packages and appliances are essential for the business day to day activities. These packages and applications help in these efforts of analyzing systems and network vulnerabilities. However, these tools only show the areas of vulnerabilities, but do not offer a channel to secure networks from all potential threats. Consequently, the business requires a network administrator, to regularly keep up-to-date with the large number of security issues confronting the business in current network security when connecting a private network to the Internet. References Halinen, A., & Törnroos, J. Å. (2005). Using case methods in the study of contemporary business networks. Journal of Business Research, 58(9), 1285-1297. Read More