What IT Hardware and Equipments Are Needed to Run a Business
Technological innovations directly impact the way businesses operate today. Regardless of the size of the firm, a highly reliable IT infrastructure is required for the smooth running of the operation. IT infrastructures are made up of two broad categories: hardware and software. This article will focus on the specific hardware and equipments that a business may need in order to operate more efficiently.
Servers and networks and networking components
When the business is a startup, new servers and networks are needed to be designed and installed. Depending on the network requirement of your business, you may choose either peer-to-peer or server-based. The business will not need dedicated servers if you choose the former. However, you will need a computer server if you choose the latter. There are many IT firms that assess the business in setting up own IT infrastructure starting from designing up to configuring and testing. One can also resort to having VPN for a great variety of secured networking uses. For instance, you can read about TorGuard Review here.
However, if the business is already established and an IT infrastructure has already been built, a router may be all you need. A router has the ability of integrating the existing network particularly when the networks are geographically dispersed (or located in branch offices). If one or few of the existing servers or networks are dysfunctional, there might be a need to perform a network performance check. The service company may have to inspect all or some of the following: hubs, gateways, switches, bridges, routers, modems, firewalls and network interface card, all of which are critical computer components.
Hub
Hub refers to a repeater with many ports. A repeater is the device receiving the signal. The repeater also cleans the signal before regenerating and retransmitting such signal.
Gateway
Gateway sits at a network node. This is mainly used to interface with another network using multiple protocols.
Switch
Switch allocates traffic from network to network. Compared to a hub, which sends traffic to all the systems included in the network, a switch splits the network traffic.
Bridge – Bridge connects various network segments. A bridge also broadcast to all ports except to the port receiving the broadcast.
Router
Router determines the subsequent network point where data packet can be forwarded.
Modem – Modem carries analog signals for the purpose of encoding digital information. The modem also decodes the transmitted information.
Firewall
Firewall prevents specific communication forbidden by the policies of the network.
Network interface card – Network interface card allows computers to physically access networking medium.