The basis of how a company uses and implements computer networking technology arises from various industry factors. From how computer networking companies market their products and services, to how the regulation of said product occurs, is part of this overview. If your business were to use these services, it's important to know how these factors affect pricing, construction and dissemination of networking technology.

The governing of the computer networking technology industry is somewhat transitional and this is on purpose. With technology there needs to be some flexibility for the rapid advancement of new ideas and inventions. The marketplace for computer networking services is somewhat more staid and the transitions from one technology to another take more time to institute. That said, there are few items for you to consider about this industry, such as:

1. Join or contact a computer networking association for an industry perspective.

2. Evaluate the technology standards for computer networking solutions.

3. Know the leading computer networking businesses.

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

Enroll in a computer networking organization

One of the best ways to find out the inner workings within any industry is to join or talk to professionals that conduct business in the arena. The people who make up the populous of these organizations can answer your questions and joining them can assist your company in making contacts that can positively impact your business. Whether it's through association discounts or just the knowledge that it provides in choosing a company network system, one of these organizations can be very helpful.

I recommend: Call or join the Independent Computer Consultants Association for computer networking information. Alternately, join the Computer & Communications Industry Association for network consulting services industry specifics.

Examine the computer networking technology standards that your business requires

The type of network technology standards that apply to your business will depend on the sector and type of company you operate. Should the company not have any need for a secure computer network then the standards are not as definitive. However, many businesses need to adhere to a certain industry standard to keep the company's data and its customers safe. The safety level will depend on how much technological security you use for the company network system.

I recommend: Speak to a National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center associate for technology standards if your company has any state and local law enforcement, corrections and other criminal justice business interests. For other specific information technology requirements that's applicable to your business, contact the Storage Networking Industry Association.

Observe the computer networking industry leaders

In order to gain a proper computer networking industry overview, you'll need to view the leading computer networking firms. Then you'll know how they conduct business and price their products. These large networking technology companies often lead the way to larger and broader changes within this business sector.

I recommend: Use the computer networking hardware information at Cisco Systems to understand how one of the largest companies operates within the industry. Subscribe to the Network Computing newsletter to observe the news from top industry leaders.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Networking computers for your company is not something you want to entrust to computer network consultants, without conducting a background check on their qualifications. Be sure to ask for references and contact the Better Business Bureau to verify their credibility.

Back in the pre-PC days, mainframes were the center of the computer universe — and the well of all data. The rise of the personal computer gave people new power to do their work, but it also created lonely islands of info. Enter the network. Simply put, it's connecting PCs so that workers can collaborate on data, share printers, scanners and Internet access and centralize services like e-mail and Web security.

Here are three things to know now about networking your computers:

1. Once, a full-time tech was nearly a requirement for even a small network. But most PCs now come out of the box ready to talk to one another.
2. Wireless networking options suitable for a small business are making even the hardware part a snap.
3. Increasingly, too, Web applications and managed hosting will allow some to skip complex networking and simply use the Web as a connection.

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

Make sure you really need a network

If you have two or three machines in a small office, a full-blown network may well be a 'nice-to-have' you can avoid for now. If the machines are physically close together, say a few dozen feet along a single wall, you could get away with some cables and an inexpensive router, a small switchbox that directs data traffic. Cheap but effective!

I recommend: Get a sense of how complex — or easy — doing it yourself could be by taking short, non-pro tutorials offered by Microsoft and Apple. Technology portal CNET and online tech bible Webopedia also offer good secular overviews of networking basics.

The right hardware is a must

Most computers, whether PC or Mac, now come with networking hardware installed. It will be cheaper and simpler to buy new than to drag older machines into the networked world.

I recommend: Networking hardware comes in two flavors: Ethernet and wireless. Ethernet assumes your connection to the Web and to other computers will be via a thick, often blue cable, usually leading to a wall jack (and thus to a central server) or, failing that, to a router. Tech support services such as Geek Squad can install your two- or three-computer system for a couple hundred bucks. For just a bit more, Dell will send a tech to your office to work up a plan. Larger companies should consider similar offerings from HP or IBM, along with Dell. Of course, plenty of IT folks moonlight and, for them, a SOHO set-up is a day or a weekend.

Cut the cord

Using built-in wireless networking in laptops can save you money and trouble, but be sure that occasionally-slower performance won't hurt your productivity. Wireless is a breeze if you do office tasks and Web but problematic for graphics-heavy design or engineering shops.

I recommend: The simplest way is WiFi, which is Internet signals converted into radio waves. Range is short at 100 feet, best for a small office with thin, prefab walls or a single large room. Some popular wireless routers include D-Link, Linksys, Belkin and Netgear, as well as Apple's elegant AirPort Express.

Reduce your risk

Networking professionals have a sly hobby of riding around with their laptops looking for unsecured networks. After riding along on your Internet access for an hour, they'll send you a note shaming you for leaving the door wide open. And they're right.

I recommend: Once the wireless system is up, immediately set a password (details at WiFi Alliance). The state of the art is WAP, or 128-bit encryption — tough enough to keep out nearly anybody — but the next step is using your machine's MAC address, a specific requirement that means only your computer or computers can access your network. That will limit visiting clients who might want to check e-mail on their wireless laptops, but the door will be closed. Also, even a cabled network is vulnerable to hackers through the Web. Set up a firewall and buy a reputable anti-virus suite. These include Symantec and McAfee.

Networks are so 1996

The next generation of digital connectivity assumes you need total, even global mobility, and that associates, partners or clients could be in distant time zones. Thus the launch of Web-based collaboration services which mimic much of what a real-world network does, only via the Internet. If you can operate Web-based mail like a Yahoo! or Hotmail account, you can do this just as easily.

I recommend: WebEx, Microsoft SharePoint and Office Live Collaboration, Office.com and about a hundred others offer what amounts to a virtual office. Any computer connected to broadband can reach a passworded site and be in the loop on projects, messaging, documents, workflow and live meetings. If even one important cog in your organization is on the road or permanently offsite, start here before spending to wire up your small office. You might get a lot more out of buying a subscription for Web-based collaboration.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Bringing your hardware and operating system up to date is the absolute first step. It will make everything else about networking nearly automatic, and PCs are dirt cheap now.
• •  Be realistic about your own technical ability. Some systems come together right out of the box, some don't. However, any mildly geeky nephew or friend in IT should be able to hook you up as a favor.
• •  Laptops, increasingly, are becoming the tool of choice over desktops, particularly for roaming executives. Make that choice — desktop or laptop — first. It will help decide what flavor of network will serve you best.
• •  Think hard before swallowing a salesperson's line about your need for a server. It will run you thousands and probably last fewer years than a used car. If your company manages major data second by second, it's probably a must. If not, almost certainly you can do without one.
• •  Warning: Do not let your broadband provider charge you monthly 'networking fees.' Nothing about your network requires any effort from the phone company.

Whether your business wants to install new computer networking or improve the existing one, it's prudent to know how to operate it effectively. You can hire any number of computer networking companies to install the system, but without an understanding of networking computers basics, you'll have a hard time controlling costs. After all, this is almost like giving this outsourcing company a blank check. Knowing the basics can keep the charges and services this company’s provides under control.

Even if you don't outsource the computer networking services, a proper networking knowledge base can help you communicate with the technology department in your company. It can also help you approach computer networking from a business perspective than the typical technology specific angle. Therefore, before you choose to install computer networking there are few items to consider, such as:

1. Examine a few computer networking basics tutorials.

2. Compare the merits of a wired versus a wireless computer network.

3. Contact computer networking associations for basic industry information.

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

Understand the structure and uses of basic computer networking technology

It isn't necessary that you earn a computer science degree to comprehend the effective use of computer networking. All you need is a broad perspective on setting up and implementing this system to keep technology cost under control.

I recommend: Take the networking basics tutorial from 3Com. You can also consider enrolling in the computer networking courses at LearningSteps.com.

Contrast the pros and cons of wireless and wired computer network solutions

The decision to install a wired network as opposed to a wireless computer network will depend on the type of business, technology budget and physical layout of your office building. A wireless network is better for companies that don't use large amounts of bandwidth, doesn't require a secure network and have a small tech budget. Wired networks are more reliable, allow for the transfer of larger files with more ease and offer more data security.

I recommend: Evaluate the networking comparison information at Network World, which outlines the pros and cons of wired versus wireless networks. Use the review of networking options at OSNews to understand the differences between a wired and wireless company network system.

Use computer associations for relevant computer networking information

You can use computer organizations to find the best computer networking businesses or keep up with the latest regulatory and legal information in the networking industry. If you have a business networking problem, chances are there is somebody within these organizations that can help you with some basic information.

I recommend: Join the Open Services Gateway Initiative Alliance to understand computer networking in a more ocmplete manner. Call the International Technology Law Association·if you have any legal issues regarding the computer networking. Read back issues of its CLA Bulletin, which is full of Computer Law Association news and updates, free of charge online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep the computer networking solutions for your business simple at first. Often people will over commit resources when networking office computers and wind up spending too much money.
• •  When you first assemble the computer network, be sure you allow for future expansion. If the network is too limited, you'll need to reconstruct the entire model if your company's data needs outgrows the network.

If you are putting together a computer network so that your entire office can work as a team on individual computers, you will need to familiarize yourself with computer networking key terms. There are many computer networking key terms that are important to know as you make choices about your network.

For example, you will want to understand how networks work so that you can acquire all the elements you need to make your network a success. You also will want to select the right servers and hardware for your network. Learning computer networking key terms helps you understand how a network works.

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

Computer networking

Computer networking refers to the communication or connection of multiple computers or computer devices so that they can work effectively as a unit.

I recommend: NetworkTutorials has a detailed definition of computer networking, including an explanation of the technical elements of how a network works.

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is an agreement that network users adhere to. It governs how users on a network utilize the network and ensures that no one is using the network for inappropriate activities.

I recommend: Tech-FAQ has a detailed explanation of the AUP.

Network servers

Network servers are sometimes simply called servers. These are powerful computers that link several computer devices together and sometimes store joint or common information.

I recommend: Sun Microsystems has a comprehensive definition of servers and related terms. Hewlett-Packard has a detailed explanation of servers as well.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connects computers, including remote computers, using the Internet. It allows even remote workers to access company servers and information needed for work.

I recommend: HowStuffWorks has a detailed guide to VPNs, including the technical details of how VPNs work.

Gateway

A gateway connects several computer networks. Usually, gateways are computers that link one computer or one network to a larger network.

I recommend: Real Knowledge has a comprehensive definition of a gateway. Verizon has an easy-to-understand definition of a gateway.

Subnet mask

The subnet mask identifies a network within a larger network. Another use of the subnet mask is to let your computer know which network addresses are part of your network and which are remote. The subnet mask is actually a part of a computer's IP address.

I recommend: The Bug Club has a detailed and technical explanation of what a subnet mask is and what it does.