Networking Solutions by Michelle d'Hulst For desktop computers with an available PCI slot, Symphony's 32 bit PCI card offers a wireless network solution for office computers. To obtain the best reception, the antenna comes with a long cord that lets you move it around for better reception. Do you or your co-worker practice Sneakernet at your office? No, this is not the latest in computer technology, it is actually referring to the time-wasting activity of walking back and forth between computers with a floppy disk in hand to transfer files and install applications. If this adequately describes your office, then it is time to save some time and shoe tread by installing a computer network system. Building an office LAN (local area network) will get you a lot more than just an easy way to share files. You can also share peripherals like Zip drives, Jazz drives, and CD-Roms attached to any computer in the office. This makes hard drive back-ups quick and easy without using 5 million slow-going floppy disks. In addition, the whole network can share a printer, application programs and a DSL circuit for Internet surfing. The possibilities are vast. Ethernet is the most common network system installed in offices. Each computer in the network must have a network interface card (NIC), which allows the device to communicate with other machines. In general, NICs use a special set of rules (protocols) called an Ethernet that carries data at a rate of 10 Mbps. Other frequently used network options are wireless systems which transfer data through radio frequencies and telephone wire networks that are connected via phone jacks. The Cordless Ethernet Bridge enables you to connect Symphony-enabled computers to an existing Ethernet LAN or Internet connection via an ISDN router, xDSL modem, or Cable modem. The first step in establishing an Ethernet system is to map out the entire building in order to lay the foundation for the cabling. You need to decide where to put the network hub and router which acts like a bridge that determines the most efficient path to transmit data. Determine how many data outlets you need and be sure to anticipate growth in your firm. Planning ahead can save you money in the labor and cable costs because running single lines from the hub for upgrades can get costly. The most common cabling used is 10BASE-T because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. However, be sure to check with your building manager about fire regulations in regard to cabling. Some buildings require Plenum cabling which is twice as expensive but does not emit toxic gasses during a fire. The next step is to lay out the cables and test them to make sure there are no twisted pairs or shorts. Always be sure to label both ends of the cables with some kind of numbering scheme to make any repair efforts easier. One cable end terminates at a centralized hub or patch panel while the other end terminates at a wall jack that is used for phone and data lines. Normally, the cables run over the ceiling and are lowered down the walls to each jack. Finally, all computers and printers need to have suitable Ethernet cards before they can be plugged into the jack with an Ethernet patch cable. If you are establishing a network in an older building that does not have a drop ceiling, you may need to use existing phone lines or a wireless system. Like an Ethernet network, a wireless network starts with network interface cards. But these NICs don't have cables, nor do they require a hub. Instead, you simply attach the included antenna to each NIC and place it in the highest place possible. Next, you install some software and your network is up and running. Though this sounds incredibly simple, a wireless system does have its downsides. It is considerably slower than Ethernet, topping out at 2Mbps and it is also more expensive. Symphony also offers a cordless stand-alone 56K modem for dial-up phone access for all computers that have PCI cards. One of the greatest advantages to a network system is that older computers can surf the Internet at the same speed as newer systems. Wireless technology is especially useful with laptop computers because you can relocate anywhere within a 150-foot range and still access the network. The Symphony cordless small-office network from Proxim uses an RF band (2.4 GHz) to transmit data. Through a process called frequency hopping, the radio transmission moves fairly quickly across differing frequencies while data is being transmitted, offering a very secure solution. Symphony supports file and printer sharing, as well as shared Internet access on a cordless network at 1.6 Mbps. If you have a phone jack for each computer you want to network the infrastructure for a telephone wire network is already in place. This technology uses existing phone lines to send data, and it won't interfere with standard phone use. The bandwidth for this type of networking is approximately 800 kbps, which is better than many other networking solutions, but a far cry from Ethernet's 10 mbps. The family of Symphony Cordless Networking products lets you access printers, drives, folders, and files from any computer on your cordless network. The system also allows you to share a modem for Internet access or bridge to an existing Ethernet network like ISDN or DSL. Some telephone wire kits, such as Intel AnyPoint kit, also have parallel port adapters. With this solution you can plug the adapters directly into the parallel ports of your PCs or notebooks. Once you've installed the PC Card or parallel port adapter, turn on your computer and Intel's installation software will take control by loading applications and finding sharable drives. The market is full of innovative solutions that can help your office, no matter how big or small, to establish a functional networking system in no time flat. Take some time to review your needs and see what type of system offers the best solution for the price you are willing to pay. If anything, your company will save money on carpet replacement because employees won't wear it out with Sneakernet. LASN