Healthy Networks are Happy Networks!

The last 20 years of business have been radically transformed by computers.  They are everywhere and they are connected and they talk to each other!   Fax systems are on the decline, having been replaced by email.  Tills are gone, and replaced by advanced POS (Point of Sale) systems.  Everything is available online, and nobody is working when the internet goes down. Many businesses have ominous black boxes, humming away in a forgotten corner, labeled as ‘The server’ and nobody seems to know what it does, until it fails, then everybody is aware of what is affected.

A network is not only the physical connections between individual computers, but also how the computers are configured.  It includes components called switches that provide the connection point from the various computers.  Most networks these days are called a Star Topology, with cables running from the central switch (or switches) to each device.

Many networks include a server, which can provide a number of resources to the workstations connected to it.  Servers can manage printer usage, handle email flow, manage file access and a number of other tasks.

Networks usually include a device to connect everything to the internet, called a router or firewall.  These can be relatively cheap devices for under $50, to sophisticated ones costing thousands.

Several years ago, I was meeting with the Accountant and General Manager at a business that I looked after.  We were discussing purchasing another computer.  The GM, in frustration said “we need to get rid of these damn computers and go back to paper and pencil,” and the accountant replied “well, I’m going to need a few more staff in the accounting department”.

Computers automate so many tasks that the effect is hard to measure.  My brother worked in a coal mine his whole career, and during his time there, the engineering department went from 30 staff to 2 because of automation.

It’s not until the network fails that you discover the value of maintenance.  Running your car without replacing the tires or doing oil changes might work for a while, but everybody agrees that you are better to maintain a car than replace it frequently.  Networks are very much the same.  Sometimes we setup computers and walk away.  Often the computers will run for some time before they experience problems.  The same is true for networks.  It is possible to do zero maintenance, but in the long term, the cost of maintenance is recovered in increased productivity and longer life.  A single day of downtime for many organizations isn’t feasible. 

At Northern we see new clients come in, frustrated with their network performance.  Often the problem isn’t who is looking after the network, it is how well maintained the network is.  Healthy networks are happy networks, and so are the staff that rely on them for their jobs. At Northern Computer we aim to promote healthy networks.  We offer different programs to assist customers in maintaining healthy networks.  Ask about IT Manager contracts and our new Monitoring package.

Click here to read Part 2.

- Mark S, Network Support Technician

Northern Computer - Your Trusted Partner
#1 - 495 Banks Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6A2
Phone: 250.762.7753 Fax: 250.861.1861 Toll-Free: 1.877.257.2896
Email: sales@northerncomputer.ca or service@northerncomputer.ca
Web: http://www.northerncomputer.ca