Tips for Setting up a Small Office Network

Cloud Services

Tips for Setting up a Small Office Network

Here are my tips for setting up a small office network.  Space is at a premium for small businesses when it comes to just about anything.  Floor space, desk space, server space, whatever – it always fills faster than we’d like.

In this article we’ll cover equipment.  Obviously there are a few must-haves when it comes to a computer network in an office.  Otherwise it wouldn’t be able to function!  I’ve listed the main ones here:

• Computer(s) and peripherals – printers, etc.
• Cabling – including networking and power
• People!

Computers and their peripherals take up space – there are no two ways about it.  The trick comes from reducing that effect.  Here are my tips on doing exactly that!

1. Use wireless networking as opposed to wired – Network cabling can be unobtrusive if tucked away in trunking but it is always a consideration in any office move / re-organisation.  If you’re installing new hardware you also need to install additional cabling – not the case if you’re wireless.
2.  Consider Cloud storage for your data / services – Cloud services are ideal when it comes to reducing office clutter.  Expensive – and probably large – server computers are removed in favour of Cloud services, such as Google Apps.  It’s off-site and therefore safe and secure.  It can be accessed readily and easily at any computer with qualified access and an Internet connection.  Email and file storage are both supported by the Cloud.
3. Use a single office network printer – It’s important to use a networked printer that is *not* attached to a specific computer.  A networked printer doesn’t require any other computer to be permanently switched on in order for it to be used.  It saves time and space over purchasing several printers, though if you have wildly different printing needs you’ll need to consider additional printers – but the point still stands.  Network them!
4. Keep a tidy desk – Whether you use a desktop PC or a tablet computer that takes up a fraction of the space, it needs to be organised.  In my experience, smaller computers (such as net-books or laptops) may take up less space but their performance is not as high-spec. as might be needed.  The point here is to save space but not to skimp on what you need!
5. Use virtual machines – Virtualisation may sound like something out of Computer Geek Monthly Magazine but it is in fact a way of having multiple computers on the same physical machine.  It’s very useful for reducing not only the space taken up by several computers but also for saving the power it would cost to run them.  Virtualisation would only be used for computers that aren’t operated by staff on a daily basis – such as servers or other behind-the-scenes devices.

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