COMPUTER MEDICS OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

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Networking - Router Setup 

In the past, a Server handled all Network Connections within an office. As the Internet became more widely used it was fairly simple to add Internet Access for all Networked Computers through the Server. This Server was a specially built computer that was used to store large amounts of data, create backups of that data and delegate who had access to that data. Servers also can have a Firewall installed that will protect a Network from outside attacks by Hackers.

Servers require constant attention because everything it does is controlled by software. Software can become unstable and lock up the Server, which can shut down the entire Network. The Server must also be reconfigured whenever a new computer is added to the Network. Without proper reconfiguring of the Server, the new computer would not be able to access the rest of the Network or the Internet properly.

Until recently Hard Drive space was very expensive but with today’s Desktop PC’s being capable of storing large amounts of data on it’s own and the ability of each Desktop PC to share it’s own files, the Server now has very little to do other than to provide Internet Access and Firewall Protection. One thing that has not changed is that Servers require constant attention, which is very expensive.

Over the last few years the basic design of Networks have changed substantially. Unless there is a need to hold a large amount of data, Servers are rarely used in the modern Network. Today’s Networks use what is called a Peer-to-Peer relationship where each machine on the Network is equal. Each machine can share it’s own files and printers and even offer password protection. If you choose to keep your existing Server, adding a Router will greatly reduce the workload on it. No longer all Internet Data have to go through the Server which will free up valuable processing time for other important tasks.

Internet Access can be handled in many ways on a Peer-to-Peer Network. The most popular is the use of a High-Speed Internet Connection such as a Cable Modem, DSL, ISDN, T1, etc. The method most commonly used in today’s modern Network for sharing this Internet Connection is the installation of a Hardware Router.

Give us a call to setup or troubleshoot your network.