I need to network my office< it is a new office, and I have never done network, we all worked out of our homes

Question

we mall worked out of our homes, but now we're in an office, and need to pull from a common source...???

Answer 1

Once you complete all the infastructure. You wil probably need a server to share information and setup collaboration. A windows 2003 Server will give you plenty of contol but a linux or novell server will not have as many virus headaches.

Answer 2

I presume you will have an Internet service as either DSL or Cable TV that will feed you an ethernet signal from a modem they provide.

You did not indicate whether the office is wired already for a LAN. I will assume it is not.

Wireless is not very safe for an office so plan on getting dirty and run CAT 5 cable to each office from a central point. Terminate properly in each office using a wall outlet. Terminate in the common location using a patch panel. Connect each active port of the patch panel to a 10/100 network switch.

Purchase a business class router, not a home class router. An Adtran Netvanta 2050 is ideal for a small office (10 or fewer users); a 2100 is ideal for a larger office (11 - 30 users). Configure the router for your WAN IP address and to provide DHCP to the network. You can use their default 10.10.10.0/24 subnet for the network.