Networks and Access Solutions

Today's business environment demands that systems be able to communicate both internally and externally, and that those connections be fast, reliable, and secure.

From the small office to the data center, Parks Consulting has designed, implemented, and troubleshot networks of all types and sizes.  Our experience includes, but is not limited to:

• Ethernet
• Token Ring
• 10 MB, 100 MB, Gigabit Ethernet
• FDDI
• ATM
• TCP/IP

• Hubs, Routers, Switches
• Frame Relay, PPP
• DSL / Cable Modem
• Dial Up Solutions
• VPN
• NetBEUI, IPX/SPX

Local Area Networks (LAN)

Have a small business and need to connect a few PC's to share resources?  Have a larger business and have a few hundred devices that need to communicate?

The local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications link within a small geographic area (for example, within an office building).  A local area network may serve as few as two or three users, or as many as thousands of users.

Our experience with LAN's ranges from the small office with a simple 4-port hub, to the large switched corporate communications center, and encompasses Token Ring and FDDI as well as Ethernet.

Wide Area Networks (WAN)

For those not familiar with the term, Wide Area Network is generally used to refer to any data communications connection external to the local area network, (i.e. "leaving the building").  These can be connections such as DSL lines, Cable Internet, T1 lines, or even a simple dial-up line or ISDN.  Wide area networks come in many speeds, and each has characteristics that make it more suitable for different traffic types.

WAN links can carry everything from web requests/pages, email, business transactions, and more.  The list below is representative of the network functions we do, though it does not list everything:

• Link Sizing (speeds range from 128K to virtually unlimited)
• Link Selection (DSL?  Frame Relay?  ISDN?  PPP?  Multi-Point?)
• Troubleshooting  (network speeds not what they should be?)

Wireless Solutions

Arguably the hottest trend in networking, wireless technology is truly revolutionary.  Increasing numbers of retailers are offering wireless internet access at their establishments (i.e. Starbucks & Sheraton).  It sounds feasible that in the future, one will be able to be "connected" to the office no matter where they are, bringing about the truly mobile workforce.

If you want to explore the benefits of wireless networking, we can help.  We have set up and worked on both small and large wireless networks.

Some of the advantages of wireless go beyond the obvious, such as:

• Reduced expense in cable plant, patch panels, and cable management.
• Portability to areas of office previously unreachable (i.e. warehouse, conf. room)
• Reduced need for central hubs and switches.
• Office re-designs can happen at your whim!  No consideration for the cables!
• Easily add more devices to a shared space, no new cabling required!
• With the new 802.11g standard, get up to 54 Mbps throughput!

Network Design

A simple 5 station network may not require a detailed design, but careful planning can make a big  performance and reliability difference in larger networks.   Often times small networks become larger ones based on immediate need, which usually results in small hubs chained to small hubs.

If you're planning a new office space, adding more devices, or looking for better network performance, contact us and let us help you design your network for the future.  We have performed design services for small and large networks, and are Certified by Cisco in network design.  We welcome the opportunity to optimize YOUR network. 

Installation

Not only do we help you size your bandwidth, choose your link types, and design your network, we also implement our recommendations.  We pride ourselves on doing neat and efficient work, including device configurations, labeling, documentation, and cable management. 

Please note that we work with a specialized cabling company for larger cabling jobs.

Troubleshooting

Have an existing network that has slow times of day?  Is it constantly slow now but didn't used to be? Have a PC that can't get on the network at all?

Our experience includes extensive troubleshooting of Local area networks including TCPIP, network hardware, cabling systems, and more. 

If your issue is related to your Wide Area Network, we can be on-site to manage the issue, interface with the link provider, and provide local assistance.  In our experience, this greatly reduces your down time.