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Small Business Network Plan
Gareth McCartney
CIS – 175: Introduction to Networking
Assignment 6
August 29th 2010

When designing and building a small business network we must consider the fact that small businesses generally lack the support associated with corporate IT offices. Therefore small business networks should ideally be straightforward and easy to manage. Since the needs of organizations vary, complications will always arise if we attempt to use a generic plan. The main principle we should use in creating this plan is to “follow the simplest approach to achieve the desired result” (Breeding, 2010). Our goal is the create the best possible network with the greatest functionality while maintaining the lowest possible cost. Typically a small business network would consist of around twenty four computers, possibly two servers, a network printer and access to other networks and/or the internet. However for this paper we will limit this network to two workstations one quality printer Internet access multiple email addresses.
In most situations, the available finances to connect machines together to share files, printers and internet is limited. Therefore we should consider the cost of acquiring and setting up network adapters, hubs and other network devices such as gateways.
An important factor that should be considered is the available options for connecting to the internet. Most areas of the United States have access to dial-up internet service through standard modems, most people prefer higher bandwidths which would require additional investment in broadband link such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or the even fast Cable connection. This may demand additional equipment depending on the service provider.
As stated, most small business networks are not maintained by an IT department. A small business would probably have may have only one person managing computing issues and even then probably only on a part-time basis (Breeding, 2010). Whatever configuration is selected should match the meet the available resources. If the configuration is simple enough, anyone should be able to maintain the network. Those small businesses generally rely on “in-house staff” to keep the network going, usually organizations hire a consultant to establish their computer environment (Breeding, 2010). For the purpose of this exercise, I will serve as that consultant.
There are a few more factors such as installing cabling, restrictions in wireless use and electrical shielding or interference that should be considered when creating this network, however, for we will assume all the necessary cabling is installed and there are no restrictions for this exercise.
We will being this plan with a the internet connection. In contrast to the many ways that organizations and large businesses connect to the Internet, the small or home office typically connects to the Internet in the following ways: * Using individual Internet connections for each computer * Using a residential gateway * Using a host computer
Since we will be creating this network for a home office we will be using a residential internet connection. A residential connection provides sufficient network speed and data transfer to carry out all the need of a small business. The residential connection simply consists of a modem connecting internet provided to user. For our network we will be using a Cable modem as well as a fiber optic cable internet service. The cost of this is approximately subscription of $69 per month with an installation cost of $100. The Network will initially be setup by the Service provider but that network terminates with a modem and an Ethernet cable which is intended to be connected to a computer. This is where our home office network begins
To provide a connection between the two computers in the small office network, each computer on the network has to be either directly connected to each or connected through a hub. Since this network involves another peripheral, we will create the connection using a hub. Each connected device must have a Network adapter. Network adapter choices include the following: * Internal network adapters using a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) slot of your computer. * PCMCIA or PC Card network adapters installed in PC Card slots commonly found on laptop or notebook computers. * USB network adapters connected to either a USB port typically found on the back of a computer or a USB port on a USB hub.
It is very important to consideration the physical installation of the adapter. For example, PCI adapters require opening the computer and insert the adapter in an empty PCI slot for installation. On the other hand a USB network adapter does not require any internal installation and as a result may be a better simpler solution. Most Laptop computers sold now, will likely have and use PCMCIA or PC Card adapters. So for this network our computers will consist of two Laptop computers purchased from a local electronics store for approximately $1050 ($525 each)

We should now consider the type of network technology we will use for this network. Networking technology enables your computers to send information to each other (Microsoft-TechNet). The most common networking technologies used for home networking include: * Ethernet * Phone-line * Wireless
For convenience purposes I have selected to create a wireless network. This is simply because a wireless network would add to the convenience of the network and allow for an easy upgrade in the future. This also removes the hassle of running wires through and around walls that would be necessary to accommodate a wired Ethernet network. While Ethernet adapters are generally low cost, the cabling and hub needs add to the complexity and cost (Microsoft-TechNet). A wired network would also required equipment consists of an Ethernet adapter and either coaxial cable (for 10Base2) to serially connect each computer together, or twisted pair cable (for 10BaseT or 100BaseT) to connect each computer to a hub. The wireless network avoids all this complexity.
The wireless network technology uses radio signals to communicate so there is no cabling required. There are many wireless products, however, wireless networks based on the IEEE 802.11 standard are becoming the preferred solution. Organization or large business wireless networks are more likely to be using IEEE 802.11. If your home or small network is also based on IEEE 802.11, you can use the same network adapter to access both work and home or small office networks. IEEE 802.11b can operate at a speed of 11 Mbps. Wireless equipment consists of a wireless adapter installed in each computer. For this project we will be using a IEEE 802.11 wireless router which cost approximately $39. The wireless router will be connected to the cable modem, setup by the internet provider. This will then allow the router to provide internet access to any connected computer.
The final peripheral of this network will be the printer. Since we will be using a wireless network we will also be using a wireless printer. Though wireless printers will need to be initially hardwired to a computer to setup, after the setup, they can be used be a connection similar that of other wireless devices on the network. New additions to the network would also be able to connect to this network printer adding to network ease. The cost of the printer would be approximately $70.
Diagram 1. Shows a graphical representation of the star network used for this home office.
The total cost to establish this network, including the cost of peripherals, is:
Internet service $69
Internet service installation $100
Computers $1050
Wireless Router $39
Wireless Printer $70
Total $1328

The total recurring costs: $69 per months

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Diagram 1.

References
M. Breeding .(2010). Designing and Building the Best Small Office Network From the Ground Up. Retrieved from http://www.networkcomputing.com/netdesign/soho1.html

Microsoft-TechNet (2010). Designing and Building the Best Small Office Network From the Ground Up. Retrieved from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457037.aspx