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The Network

This section identifies the physical components that interconnect the server, the desktop computers, and the printers into a network. Here we address the communication between devices that are in the same physical location (office or building) that form the Local Area Network (LAN). In a later section we will discuss the communication between the LAN and the outside world - the Internet or a remote branch of the company.

Server Location

The server is usually situated close to the central telephone equipment. The following guidelines should be used in choosing a location:

A network connection must be available.
Extra regular phone lines and special purpose high-speed phone lines will need to be installed near the server.
The server should be located in a secure place. A lot of companies choose to place it in a locked room. No application programs like word processing are run at the server.
The room should be air-conditioned. Avoid placing the server in a room that tends to get hot or that is exposed to direct sunlight.
Some of the larger servers have noisy cooling fans that would disturb people working close by.

Wiring

All desktop computers and servers in a network must be wired together using special cabling. Transmission speeds of 10 megabits per second (Mbps) are most common with 100 Mbps quickly becoming the standard. If new wiring is to be installed, it should allow for the higher speed if possible. EMETEK can recommend a professional cable installation company.

Determine which of the following categories applies to your site:

The network cabling already exists.
The existing cabling is certified for operation at 100 Mbps.
New cabling will be installed.
New cabling will be certified for operation at 100 Mbps.

Hubs, Routers & Switches

The cables from all computers in a network are brought to a central location where they are connected to a device called a hub. The hub manages the interconnection of the computers. A switch is a more advanced version of a hub and can handle more network traffic. Engineering will make a recommendation based on projected network loading.

A hub is already installed. Model: ?????
A new hub/switch must be installed.

Network Printers

All shared printers should be connected directly to the network. Not all printers will be shared. For example, a check printer may be attached directly to a desktop computer in a secure location.

Network printers must have a network interface and a connection to the network (cable leading to a hub). Some printers can be made network ready by installing a network interface card. If a printer does not support this option, then an external device called a print server may be used to connect the printer to the network.

If no separate network connection is available near a printer, then an extra line will have to be installed leading to the hub. If this is not feasible and a network connection is available close by but is in use, then a mini hub may be used to plug more than one network device into the existing connection.