A Cisco Local Area Network (Cisco LAN) is a fine choice for business owners looking to build a high-speed network in a very small area, typically a building or a group of buildings. LANs make use of network infrastructure only (servers and cabling or the Cisco wireless LAN that has no cabling at all). Such infrastructure confines LANs to a relatively small area, especially when compared to a WAN (wide area network), which can go across the world on telecommunications lines.

To have a LAN, at a minimum you will need:

1. Cisco LAN routers
2. Cisco LAN software (for managing servers or for remoting in)
3. Cisco LAN Management solution
4. (potentially) Wireless router for a Cisco wireless Local Area Network such as the Cisco Aironet 1200 series wireless LAN adapter

Fortunately, Cisco is a well-known name in the industry. Thus, it is not difficult to find Cisco LAN products, Cisco LAN resellers and support personnel and numerous white papers and best practices for managing a Cisco LAN. Even better, with all these products and whitepapers, there is a Cisco LAN for every need from the smallest shop to the largest corporation. If you are considering a Cisco LAN, follow these steps.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find suppliers of Cisco LAN software and equipment online

A supplier of Cisco LAN software and hardware is never difficult to find on the Internet. Given their popularity, many people make a business around selling, repairing and maintaining Cisco LAN hardware and software.

I recommend: Check out a website like Berkeley Communications for a price listing on new Cisco LAN parts. In addition, check out Northland Systems for quotes on the same, but used, equipment.

Comparison shop for the Cisco Aironet 1100 series or Cisco Aironet 1200 series online

If you are specifically looking for a wireless Cisco LAN, consider looking at the Cisco Aironet 1100 wireless LAN adapter or another Cisco Aironet product (such as the Cisco Aironet 350 series). There is a Cisco LAN Aironet product for most any wireless LAN need. They are affordable, and they are the flagship Cisco wireless LAN product.

I recommend: The Internet will provide you with a number of resources for finding Cisco Aironet products. Check the websites of Google Products and Cisco for two sources of pricing on Aironet products.

Purchase Cisco LAN management solutions online

For many businesses, their LAN, whether it is a Cisco LAN or from some other vendor, is a mission-critical piece of technology. If the LAN goes down so does the entire enterprise. For this reason, Cisco offers a suite of Cisco LAN management solutions, which monitor a network for trouble and can help with troubleshooting when issues arise.

I recommend: Start with Cisco to see which products you may need for your LAN management needs. Then, do specific research on different Cisco LAN management solutions and their components at Google Products or look for specific components at a website like Broadview Networks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Cisco LAN equipment will interface most easily with Cisco WAN equipment. Keep this in mind if upgrading your WANs as well as your Cisco LAN.
• •  Cisco offers certification and training in Cisco LAN maintenance and Cisco LAN optimization. This will ensure you get the most out of your LAN and that you have trained personnel on staff should issues arise.
• •  Pay attention to security when building a Cisco LAN. Make sure you have a firewall, whether is is one from Cisco or from another company, to protect against hackers.