Setting Up a Basic Wireless Small Business Office
Are you tripping over cords all over your office? Are your peripheral cords so tangled there is no hope of separating them? If you answered yes to either of these questions, it may be time to go wireless.
It has never been easier to implement wireless technology. Most devices are now plug and play, which means you won’t need an advanced IT degree to go wireless. All you will need to do is figure out how many gateways you’ll need, and then purchase some basic equipment.
One wireless gateway or router can support up to 25 computers. This should be more than enough for a small business office. If you plan on adding more computers to your office, you can simply add on in the future or purchase an extra gateway in advance. Be sure to read about the Risks to Your Data on Wireless Netwoks.
You’ll also have to make sure that your existing computers will support Wi-Fi, or wireless fidelity networking. Most current computers come equipped with this function. If you have an older computer or laptop, you should be able to insert a PCI or PCMCIA networking card to take advantage of Wi-Fi capabilities.
Once you have purchased your gateway, place it in a centralized location in your office. The normal range for a gateway in an office environment is 75 to 100 feet. The further your computer is from the gateway, the more you’ll notice something called ?gradual degradation.? This means that the speed of your network will not be as fast in computers located furthest from the gateway.
