• Technology

Setting up a LAN
Wired networks have been the choice for long, owing to the high reliability and speed that they offer. However, gradually mobility has become a strategic asset for every enterprise and the popularity of wireless networks is catching up. In fact, advancements in technology have made the divide narrower and choosing one over the other has become a challenging decision to make.
Giving more options of networking at economical costs, WiMAX and WiBro have been introduced in India by leading carriers such as VSNL, Tata Telecommunications, Reliance, Airtel, Aircel and BSNL. WiMAX and WiBro are great solutions when internet connectivity is needed more than internal networking. In fact, with wireless connectivity, which is unrestricted by locations, WiMAX/ WiBro are better options for a mobile workforce to stay updated.

Parameters for a Sound Decision
Building a local area network (LAN) which is right for your small business enterprise requires an organized thought process. A comparative approach, therefore, becomes quintessential and the best parameters to compare are:
 Total cost
 Ease of installation
 Reliability
 Performance
 Security

Cost: Wired networks are inexpensive due to the virtue of cheaper hardware. A normal wired network can cost around Rs.10,000 or lower for a small setup.
A wireless network, on the other hand, would have a higher price, around Rs.15,000, due to its more expensive hardware, such as routers, adapters and access points.
WiMax/WiBro can be installed by the service provider. Thus, the upfront investment is negligible.

Installation: One needs Ethernet cables—mainly CAT5 or CAT6 types—for connecting the various peripherals. The process of setting up the wires is labor-intensive. Wireless network avoids all this hassle by broadcasting the signals through a router or an access point. WiMAX/WiBro installation is taken care of by the service provider.

Reliability: This is a major strength of wired networks. With wires capable of transferring up to 100Mbps and equally potent routers, wired networks are the best when it comes to sharing large files and data packets on a regular basis. Wireless network, on the other hand, suffers due to the lesser advanced routers. The ones that can handle heavy data transfer are very expensive. Unregulated radio frequency also means that there is a great deal of interference due to other electronic gadgets, such as mobile phones. Improper angles also mean weaker signal strength and frequent disconnection. WiMAX/WiBro may suffer bad reception as well.

Performance: Wired networks run on Ethernet connections. They support a transfer rate of up to 100Mbps, though no computer utilizes it. Wired networks are adequate at handling heavy games and applications. Wireless networks, being broadcasting-based, suffer from many innate issues, such as weak or infrequent signals. This makes them less performing than wired networks.

Security: Any network connected to the internet requires firewall protection. However, wired networks do not support firewalls. Instead, software such as Zone Alarm, have to be installed on the computers itself. Broadband routers have in-built firewalls. Wireless networks, on the other hand, are prone to interception. However, there are solutions, such as Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and other encryption technologies, that make interception difficult.

So, Which One is Better?
Small business enterprises with business intelligence floating on the network and heavy application demands should first focus on security. In this regard, the wired network seems to be the best option.

For enterprises keen on mobility and less conscious of cost, wireless networks may be the best solution with some precautionary steps. In totality, with focus on security as well as mobility, most SMEs deploy hybrid LAN that use wireless as well as wired technologies.

©Entrepreneur May 2011

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BSNL, CAT, LAN, speed, Team Entrepreneur, VSNL, wibro, wimax, wired