Many people now days use wireless connections on a daily basis. Home wireless networks are very common and fairly simple to setup. There isn’t too much to consider when setting up a home wireless network. At most, a good password is all that is setup to protect the clients inside the network. Enterprise wireless networks are much more complicated.
There are many more factors to consider that must be planned for. Wireless networks have a tremendous potential for being a security risk. It is important that the proper security concerns are met. It is also important to know what kind of data is allowed over the wireless network. For instance, maybe you want to allow only web access through the wireless network and keep your internal servers off the wireless network. Or maybe you’d like your printers on the wireless network and restrict access to the wireless network with something more than just a password.
There are also several interference issues that must be considered. Not only can access points interfere with each other and other wireless networks, but they can pickup interference from other wireless technologies like cordless phones. Stafford Associates knows which brands work best under certain conditions. The type of data that the wireless network must support may also play a critical role in planning for the best setup. VoIP may not be very bandwidth hungry but it is very sensitive to timely delivery. Quality of Service may be required if VoIP is going to be used on the wireless network.
Stafford Associates has extensive experience with Cisco’s wireless units and Apple’s wireless technologies. Each offer their own set of features and has its place in different environments. Apple’s Airport Extreme and Express can be used on small scale projects and offer some very convenient features. For instance, it is possible to have the VPN-like connectivity with simply a MobileMe account and an Airport Extreme. You’d be able to reach your network at home (printer included) from across the internet! You can deliver audio wirelessly to any amplifier from an iTunes library. With 3 USB ports, you can make any USB hard drive and printer wirelessly available to the whole network. You might even want to integrate Apple’s devices with Cisco’s devices in a more corporate setting so that you have features from both worlds.
Wireless networks are also very convenient in locations where running cables is either impossible or cost prohibitive. Stafford Associates can offer wireless solutions to companies that need either a low bandwidth solution to accommodate many clients quickly or a quick network that is not necessarily permanent.
Offering both wired and wireless technologies, Stafford Associates will make it work for you.
