Net essentials6e ch11

Guide to Networking Essentials,
6th
Edition
Chapter 11: Supporting a
Small-Business Network

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 2
Objectives
2
• Explain how to address the needs of a small-
business network
• Identify network equipment requirements for small
businesses
• Identify requirements for small business
applications
• Describe issues in supporting a small business

Addressing the Needs of
Small-Business Networks
• A small business, in terms of networking, can be
defined as one that has:
– Less than 200 computers
– Only one or two locations
– Modest technology needs
• Most small businesses don’t require a complex,
highly restrictive security policy, data encryption, or
advanced WAN technologies
• To be successful in supporting a small business
network, you must listen to their requirements and
design a solution that works for them

Data and Application Sharing in a
Small Business
• First decision to make: peer-to-peer or server
based?
– When possible and funds allow, a server solution is best
• If you’re forced to use a peer-to-peer scheme, you
should limit the number of computers hosting
network resources to minimize potential problems
• A common practice for server-based networks is for
each user to have a home directory on the server
– Also have one or more common folders that the entire
company has access to, or perhaps departmental folders
• Applications can also be shared across a network

Configuring a
Windows 7 HomeGroup Network
• Windows HomeGroups are a new peer-to-peer
networking feature starting with Windows 7
– Is not backward compatible with Windows Vista or XP
• Homegroups simplify file and printer sharing by
making it unnecessary to create user accounts on
every computer that shares resources
• Suitable only for small office home office (SOHO)
networks with fewer than 10 computers

Creating and Joining a Homegroup
• Windows 7 Home Premium, Ultimate,
Professional, or Enterprise supports the
creation of homegroups
– Windows 7 Home Basic and Starter edition can join a
homegroup, but not create one
• Your network must be designated as a Home
network rather than Work or Public
• Homegroups are password-protected by a
password generated randomly when the
homegroup is created
– Users must enter this password when they join a homegroup

The homegroup password is generated randomly

• After created, other computers can join a
homegroup by changing their network locations to
Home, or by going to HomeGroup in the Control
Panel
• After sharing options have been chosen, the
password must be entered
• Once a computer has joined, all users logging on to
the computer can access shared resources on the
homegroup
– Each user controls access to the files he or she shares

Viewing members of a homegroup

• Users can share or unshare a folder or library by right-clicking it in
Windows Explorer and pointing to Share with

Troubleshooting HomeGroups
• The HomeGroup Troubleshooter can resolve some
of the problems you might run into
– Access it by right-clicking on HomeGroup in Windows Explorer
• If the troubleshooter does not help, check:
– Routers: Homegroups do not operate across routers
– IPv6: Must be enabled for homegroups to work
– Clock settings: All computers must have same settings
– Third-party firewalls: May have to disable it or configure it
– Network discovery: Network discovery must be enabled
• To access this setting, click Advanced sharing settings in Network
and Sharing Center

Sharing Files in a Windows Domain
Environment
• If you require more than the minimum of security and
sharing files is a major part of your business, then using
a file server is the best way to go
• In Windows, this means installing a domain controller
• All desktop computers and other servers simply need to
be made members of the domain
• Folders on the domain controller, other servers and
even desktop computers can be shared throughout the
domain
– This simplifies resource management and provides a more secure
network

Sharing Files in a Linux Environment
• Two choices for sharing files in a Linux environment
– Use Samba (discussed in Chapter 9)
– Use Network File System (NFS), which might be a good choice if the
environment consists of mostly Linux computers
• In both cases, the Linux client computer mounts a
shared folder into its own file system and accesses the
shared folder as though it were a local resource
• The advantage of using Samba rather than NFS is
Samba’s compatibility with Windows file sharing

Using a NAS to Share Files
• As discussed in Chapter 8, a NAS is a server
dedicated to sharing files
• Many NASs can be configured to integrate with a
Windows domain controller
• NAS is easy to configure and costs considerably less
than a server installed with Windows Server 2008
• Some NASs have a few slots for installing hard drives
and a network interface for expansion

Equipment Sharing in a Small
Business
• Most common shared equipment is a printer
– Presents problems because users could shut down
computers connected to shared printers
• One way around this potential problem is to
connect the printer directly to the network
– Some printers come with built in NICs
– Also the printer can be attached to a print server
• Other shared devices:
– External hard drives
– Card readers that read Secure Digital (SD) Compact Flash
(CF) cards

Equipping Small-Business Networks
• Most TV and print advertisements are aimed at
large corporate networks
– Small-business networks usually do not require high-end
equipment
• Do your homework when picking out equipment for
small businesses
– Consumer products are those that are intended for use by
residential users and may lack security or management
features
– Most well-known equipment manufacturers have a small
business or small and medium business (SMB) line of products

Servers and Desktops
• When purchasing a server:
– Buy as much hardware as the budget allows that will meet the
company’s estimated needs for the next two to three years
– Memory and storage expansion are critical
– Look for fault-tolerant storage solutions (RAID)
• Most business computers emphasize productivity
software and manageability
– A business computer is better off with a Professional, Ultimate,
or Enterprise edition

Networking Equipment
• One of the first decisions to make before selecting
networking equipment is where it will be placed
• In a small business, the space used for network
equipment is often shared with another function (such
as telephone and alarm system equipment)
• Servers and some network equipment can generate
a lot of heat, so make sure the space will be cool and
well ventilated
• Look for SMB line of products from manufacturers
such as NetGear, Linksys, and D-Link

Making a Wired Connection
• Even if you only have a few computers to connect,
you should have network jacks at the work area
wired to a patch panel in a wiring closet near the
switch
• Switches should be used to connect workstations
– If you are upgrading a network, replace hubs with switches
• When purchasing a switch consider:
– Speed of the switch
– Managed or unmanaged
– Support for multiple media types

Making a Wireless Connection
• Due to low cost and ease of installation,
wireless networking has become very popular
• Most access points found at an office supply
store max out at around 40 connections
– More expensive commercial products (such Cisco
Systems) can likely handle more than 100 connections
• If the environment consists of users moving
around with laptops or handheld computers,
wireless is a great option
• A combination can also be used
– Server and desktop computers can be wired and a
wireless access point setup for mobile users

Making a Wireless Connection
• Special considerations when using wireless:
– Outside people can access the wireless network simply by being
close enough to the access point
– Cordless phones can use the same frequency as an 802.11
network, which can cause users to disconnect from the network
– Microwaves ovens, nearby networks and other radio frequency
sources can also cause interference
– Test for outside interference during business hours
– Select the same security standard (WPA, WPA2) for all of your
wireless equipment, including NICs
– Consider whether the access point can be bridged to other access
points (if your network extends beyond the reach of one access
point, multiple access points might be required)

Communicating With the Outside
World
• Most small businesses require Internet
• For a network with 10-20 computers, a broadband
cable or DSL connection should be sufficient
• A typical setup includes a cable modem or DSL modem
connected to a router and the router connected to one
of the switches (see figure on next slide)
• Routers usually act as a firewall, however, investing in a
dedicated firewall might be worthwhile
• Routers can also play the role of DHCP server and
network address translator

World

World
• Most small networks can use an inexpensive router
that can be purchased from computer retailers and
office supply stores
• These routers allow all packets through if an
internal computer initiates the communication
session
– No unsolicited packets are allowed into the network from
outside
– The router configuration can be changed to allow certain types
of packets to enter the network, referred to as port forwarding
because you’re configuring the router to forward requests that
apply to only certain TCP ports

VPN Remote Access
• Recall from Chapter 10 that a VPN creates a private
communication channel between two parties using the
Internet
• Two VPN modes are available:
– Gateway-to-gateway VPN mode: A VPN connection is established
between two routers that support VPN
• Used primarily between offices connected to the Internet through a
router that supports VPN
– Client-to-gateway VPN mode: A VPN connection is established
between a computer and a VPN device
• Requires a VPN client to be configured on each computer
participating in the VPN and a VPN device to which clients connect

VPN Remote Access
• Manufacturers such as Linksys, Netgear, and D-
Link have fairly inexpensive VPN routers that
support either VPN mode
• When purchasing a router that supports VPN
connections from remote clients, look for one that
supports VPN endpoints
– The number of endpoints or tunnels the VPN router supports
tells you how many VPN connections can be established
– In client-to-gateway VPN mode, one VPN endpoint per user
connection is required

Identifying Requirements for
Small-Business Applications
• Some businesses only need an office application
suite, such as Microsoft Office
• Not all software is designed to operate over a
network with multiple users accessing the data
– Requires the network administrator to be creative in making it
work on an office network
• You must ensure that proper software licensing has
been purchased
– The end user license agreement (EULA) should be consulted
before purchasing any software for use by multiple users

Small-Business Accounting Software
• As a network technician, your job is to help ensure
that the network is set up to run this type of
software adequately and to be sure data is backed
up
• Some issues in supporting these applications:
– Should the software be accessible by multiple users?
– How should the application be secured from unauthorized
users?
– Older software packages might not integrate with Windows well
or support networking
– How is the software and its data backed up?

Sales and Contact Management
Software
• Contact management software can keep track of
customer conversations, promotional mailings can be
targeted and customer’s birthdays and pet names can
be tracked
• This type of software is in a category called customer
relationship management (CRM)
• CRM software has some of the same support issues as
accounting software
• Your knowledge of the products available for handling
typical small business tasks will help on the job

Windows Small-Business Server
• Windows Small Business Server (SBS) provides the
following applications features beyond the Windows
Server 2008 OS:
– E-mail server
– Shared calendar
– Intranet resource sharing
– E-mail security
– Database
• Provides support for up to 75 users and is
designed to be run by business employees who
don’t have an extensive IT background

Hosted Applications
• Hosted applications are accessible through a Web
interface
• Google Apps provides a full suite of office applications,
E-mail, document collaboration, and calendaring
– Standard edition is free and is suitable for fewer than 50 users
• Using hosted applications is a viable alternative for
businesses that have fast, reliable Internet
connections and don’t need the advanced features
offered in office suites such as Microsoft Office

Is Linux a Viable Desktop Alternative
to Windows?
• The biggest questions about using a Linux desktop
are:
– Total cost of ownership (TCO): Cost when you factor in
support costs and productivity gain or loss
– Application support
• Linux-based Web browsers and e-mail clients are
similar to those on Windows and Mac OS
• OpenOffice.org is an open-source office application
suite that is free to download
• If the company needs to run industry-specific
applications, you need to find out whether Linux is
supported

Supporting a Small Business
• If you work with small businesses, you need to
understand their needs and be able to help them
understand what technology can do for them
• Working with small businesses can be financially
rewarding and create a sense of achievement by
helping them use technology to increase and maintain
their business
• You must convince small business owners to place their
information technology in your hands

Supporting a Small-Business Network
• Most small-business owners looking for a computer or
network consultant usually request proposals from
multiple businesses
• You must:
– Listen to the company’s requirements
– Find out what kind of business the company is in
– Find out how it is currently managing day-to-day information
– Talk not only to the owner or manager, but also to the people
actually using the computers
– Be detailed about what’s included in the price you are quoting
– Provide choices and spell out the advantages of the higher-
priced quote

Securing a Small-Business Network
• You must include security in your proposal to a
small business
• Determine what type of security will work best with
the business
• Be sure to emphasize the trade-offs between an
open policy and a more secure policy
– A more secure policy better safeguards data, but at the
expense of more training and perhaps lower productivity
• You must factor in how this company currently does
business and whether tight security is even a
requirement

• Passwords and Backup
– Some businesses simply do not need or want passwords
– As long as you explain the ramifications of an open security
policy, and it’s what the business wants, then do it
– One of the first security-related items on your agenda should
be an easy-to-use backup strategy
– Depending on the amount of data, removable media such as
DVD-RWs or USB hard drives might make sense
– Many software packages are available to create an image of a
hard disk
• Symantec Ghost and Acronis True Image
• A hard disk image allows you to recover from hard-drive failure by
simply restoring the image to a new disk

• Security from the Outside World
– Antivirus and antispyware software are a must for any
computer with an Internet connection
– A firewall should also be in place for most businesses that
share a connection to the Internet
– For complete protection, use a router described as a firewall
router
• Can protect a network from external threats, such as DoS attacks
and IP spoofing
• Can be set up to filter Web sites based on URL and to block
cookies and certain scripting languages that can install spyware on
company computers
• Can be set up to allow Internet access only during certain times of
the day and block music and video streaming

Managing a Small-Business Network
• With hard drives to defragment, virus scanners to
update, OS patches to install, etc., setting up a
weekly or monthly visit for maintenance is a good
idea
• Remote access is an option for solving a problem
quickly
– There are lots of options for gaining access to computers
remotely so you do not have to be there in person
• The technology needs of small businesses can be
varied and complex
– Rarely can you devise a one-size-fits-all solution for a
small-business network

Chapter Summary
• Most small businesses have modest computer network
requirements that don’t require advanced WAN
technologies, data encryption, or highly restrictive
security policies
• A server-based solution is often the best solution, but a
peer-to-peer network is an option
• Windows 7 has a new simple file-sharing option called
HomeGroup
• The two most common choices for file sharing in a
Linux environment are Samba and NFS

Chapter Summary
• Most computer manufacturers maintain small-business
solution centers with equipment for sale that focuses on
the needs of small businesses
• When choosing network equipment, you need to decide
between a wired and wireless network
• A connection to the Internet and remote access usually
require a broadband connection and a router
• Small-business application requirements can range
from simple and straightforward to very complex

Chapter Summary
• Some of the most common applications small
businesses use include office applications, such as
word processors and spreadsheets, accounting
software, and sales and contact management software
• Working with small businesses requires excellent
communication skills and the ability to make proposals
that business owners understand
• To manage a small business network, remote control
options should be considered, including Remote
Desktop through VPN, dial-up, Telnet, and Windows
Remote Assistance

Net essentials6e ch11

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