Nowadays, it’s almost unimaginable for a business to operate without computers, regardless of their industry. When a business has multiple computers, they are usually connected in a local area network (LAN), which can vary in complexity and cost.
Companies invest significant amounts of money and time into LANs because of the benefits they bring and how they can be managed.
For some businesses, their LANs are vital to their operations, and any downtime can result in significant losses and employee stress. Therefore, network staff must ensure that these networks run almost 100% of the time.
The advantages of LANs include improved communication and collaboration between employees and customers. However, LANs also create security risks, which can be mitigated by implementing comprehensive security measures. While setting up and maintaining LANs can be expensive, they can also lead to cost savings by sharing resources and providing data security.
To manage a LAN effectively, there are several phases to consider. The first phase is to identify the problem and define the requirements, such as evaluating different operating systems and hardware components.
The design phase breaks down complex projects into manageable subprojects, while the implementation phase involves physically installing the LAN. The integration and system testing phase ensures that the LAN meets the specified requirements and is stable. Finally, the operation and maintenance phase involves monitoring the LAN for performance, reliability, and security.
Despite having on-site network administrators, LANs require constant monitoring, especially during off-hours. Network management tools can help prevent and foresee potential issues and notify network administrators promptly.
