Dividing Computer Duties and Resources

As you plan your workgroup network, you should think about which computers will perform certain tasks in the network. Some tasks include file storage, Internet access, backing up data files, and resource usage. Use the best computer for each job so that the entire network will run efficiently and economically. The first thing you should consider is which computers will be on and available most of the time. Before anyone can use a computer and its resources, of course, that computer must be turned on. This should help you decide computer and resource placement.

After all, you may not want to run upstairs to turn on a computer every time you want to use its CD-ROM drive or printer. When you’re finished, you have to run back upstairs to turn off the computer again. Other items to consider include computer memory, disk space, and specialty hardware for use with resources. In addition to using computers that operate efficiently, you may need to add hardware to computers that will perform special network tasks

Assigning computer duties

Depending on the computers you plan to connect to the network, you’ll want to decide which computers perform certain tasks on the network. You may want each computer to store its own files, for example, or you may have one exceptionally large hard drive that can hold everyone’s extra files.

Making Basic Network Choices

A  home network with multiple options for file storage and backups. The computer with the Zip drive might be used for saving graphic files, for example. The computer with the tape drive can back up everyone’s data files. And the computer with the largecapacity hard disk can contain folders in which each user can store his or her files, as well as folders for storing applications, Internet files, and other shared files. First, determine the duties you expect from your computers. A computer can store files— word processing, database, graphics, application, data, and other files—for any or all of the users on the network.

A computer also can store backup files for any or all of the computers on the network. The difference between normal file storage and backup file storage not only determines the amount of hard disk space used but also influences network traffic. If you store your data files on your spouse’s computer, for example, you will have to access your spouse’s computer when you need the files. Each time you open or save a file, you create network traffic and use your spoue’s computer resources, even if it is for only a moment or two. In addition, your spouse’s computer will need to be turned on whenever you need files. On the other hand, when you back up your files to your spouse’s computer, you probably will not need to access the files at all. Generally, you need to access a backup only if something happens to your original files—corruption, disk failure, and the like. The process of backing up, however, takes longer than just saving one file to another computer.

Disk space

You need to consider each computer’s hard disk space before deciding which computer to use for file storage and backups. A computer with only 2 to 5GB of disk space cannot reasonably store many graphics files or music files, for example. However, a 2 to 5GB drive could comfortably store word processing and spreadsheet documents, in addition to several applications. Most new computers come with much larger hard drives now. It’s not unusual to see drives that offer 40, 60, 80, or more gigabytes of space. Depending on your computer’s hard disk space, you might want to divide the file storage duties. You could back up all files to one computer, or back up your files to your spouse’s machine, your spouse’s files to your son’s machine, and your son’s files to your machine. Plan ahead, depending on the hard disk sizes of your computers.

Computer power and memory

Consider, too, the power and memory of each computer on the network. A very slow machine, such as a 300 MHz, might not be the appropriate choice for containing files that need to be accessed often. Such a computer slows down the rest of the network when accessed frequently. Similarly, computers with less memory react more slowly than those with more memory. Reserve the Windows 98 computer with only 64MB of RAM and a Pentium II processor for network jobs that aren’t processor- and memory-intensive. Use the Windows XP Professional computer with 256MB of RAM and a Pentium IV processor for backing up files quickly and effectively.

Dividing resources

The members of a workgroup network act as both the client and the server. As a server, each computer shares its files and resources; as the client, each computer partakes of the others’ resources. You must consider the resources you’ll be using on the network. You can assign resources—such as printers, scanners, storage devices, and so on—to certain computers in your network so that everyone has access but no one computer is burdened by the load. The laser printer is located on the first floor of the house because there are two computers downstairs and only one upstairs. The scanner, on the other hand, is upstairs because the teenager uses it the most and that computer has the appropriate hardware to run the scanner. The other two computers are on the network, however, so they can access scanned images anytime from the teenager’s computer. For each resource you add to the network, you must determine which computer best suits that resource’s requirements.

Consider the requirements for scanners, printers, CD-ROM drives, modems, and others. Remember, too, that when you share a resource, the computer attached to that resource will take a performance hit whenever the resource is being used. When you install a scanner on a computer, you also need to install an adapter card and scanner software. That means the computer on which you install the hardware must have a free slot for the adapter card and room enough for the scanning program. Scanned images create large files, so you’ll need plenty of storage space. Additionally, scanning requires substantial memory and processor speed. The computer to which you install a modem and with which you connect to the Internet also must have considerable memory and processor speed for quick and easy access. The software for sharing an Internet account has special requirements; alternatively, you can use a piece of hardware (called a router) to share Internet connections.

Temporary Internet files and cookies take up a lot of disk space as well. Cookies are identifiers saved on your hard disk during your visits to various Web pages. Software on the Web sends the cookie to collect information—such as your name, e-mail address, site password, and so on—and then logs that information on your hard disk. The next time you visit that particular site, software from the site recalls the cookie so that it knows who you are. Most cookies are harmless. If you use a Web connection on your small-business network, you should certainly employ some sort of security. It’s common for crackers to break into local networks from the Internet and pilfer business records, confidential files, payroll information, and more. The cracker could be your competition, a disgruntled employee, or even a kid experimenting with applications built for cracking systems.

Consider using software such as a firewall or a proxy server.  You may prefer to back up files or store files on a CD drive, Zip drive, or other mass storage device. When deciding whether to attach the storage device to a computer, check compatibility as well as requirements. Tape drives are often difficult to install on some computers, for example. CD drives are easy to use, inexpensive, and popular for storing and backing up files.

Understanding the Limits of Workgroup Networking

Workgroup networks offer many advantages for the home network. You can share resources and files with other users, read each other’s schedules, learn about e-mail, and share an Internet access account, for example. You also can experience some real problems with a workgroup network.Workgroup networking can place a strain on individual computers and on resources, especially if the requests for use of the resource or network traffic is high. Also, workgroup networking offers little security for your files and data, and it limits the number of people you can attach to the network. Understanding the limits of a workgroup network will help you determine some solutions to the problems.

Considering performance

Your network performance depends on many issues. You should make sure that you have sufficient computer power, and you need to consider the networking equipment you’ll use. The most positive aspect of performance is that you can always upgrade your equipment. In home networking, you can begin building your network with even the most minimal computer and networking equipment. After you use the network for a while, you can decide if the performance is adequate for your needs. For this plan to work, however, you need to be sure your initial purchases are upgradable. For example, if you purchase a computer, check to see if you can add additional hard disks, if you have plenty of slots for adapter cards, and if the memory is easy to find and upgradable. With your network hardware purchases, you also should plan ahead. When you buy network cards, buy cards that fit several different cabling types and speeds, if possible. When you buy cabling, don’t limit your upgrade choices.

Thinking about security issues

You probably won’t need to worry too much about security issues in your home network. You most likely trust your spouse and your children with any information on the network. There are, however, a few issues to consider.

• First, accidents happen. Someone could access your hard disk accidentally and delete a few files, a folder or two, or your entire hard disk’s contents. This kind of potential problem is a security issue.

• Second, a child could always bring home a friend who fancies him- or herself a hacker. It’s not too unlikely that such a kid could access and then alter, delete, or just read your private files.

• Third, if you have an Internet connection, the possibility always exists that someone could crack your system and compromise your data. Most operating systems provide some safety measures that can protect your files from access by others on the network. You can choose which files to share and which remain private.

Also, applications are available that enable you to control other computers on the network so that files, settings, and configurations are not accessible by anyone without a password. Finally, you can add software to your network to help protect it from intruders via the Internet.

Limiting the number of users

As you know by now, a workgroup network limits the number of users you can add to your network. Ten users are the most you can connect before you start to see a major deficit in performance. Even if you have fewer than ten users, you can experience performance problems. Three or four users who use network resources heavily can slow down performance and hinder everyone’s computer and network operation. If you have any idea at all that you’ll be adding more users or heavy-usage users to your network, consider using high-performance networking equipment, such as Ethernet or Fast Ethernet. You also should consider using a client/server network. Ethernet and Fast Ethernet are networking technologies that provide speed and superior performance.

A client/server network may better serve your needs by using a dedicated server and specialized software . Troubleshooting a workgroup network is fairly easy. First, a workgroup network has only a few users and computers to check when something goes wrong. Second, after the initial setup, only a few things can go wrong to make the network stop working. As far as administering a workgroup network is concerned, your job will be easy.

Making Basic Network Choices

Solving workgroup networking problems depends on the hardware you use to build your network. Unless someone changed the configurations, the problem isn’t likely to be in the networking software. When a connection or access problem occurs, you should check all connections to the network: A cable or network card could be the problem. Replacing these networking items is quick and easy.