The SOHO network is becoming as prevalent as the big corporate multiserver setups we're used to in our everyday lives. It's increasingly likely that any home-run business will now have more than one computer. Ever-falling hardware prices make it easy to acquire extra units, so the accountant can keep track of finances without having to wait for the photographer to finish editing images. I recently visited a customer who was operating a world class Web site from a large wooden cabin in his back garden. That's what comes to my mind whenever SOHO is mentioned.
As a field engineer, it's not unusual to be asked to set up a network for a small business. There may be only a small handful of employees, but their networking needs are just as important as the large corporate system. Moreover, the challenge imposed by the need to allow for expansion can make the configuration of a small network quite demanding.
There probably won't be a huge budget and there may not be the facility or need for structured cabling. Indeed, the company may operate from a single room and not require it. But they will need safe wiring with no trip hazards, expandability, and a wide range of resources. The network must also be to be easy to administer, as it is unlikely that the company will be sufficiently well resourced to run to a dedicated network administrator and will rely on the most PC savvy member of staff.
Assess client needs
Before you make any design decisions, spend some time working with the client, observing their needs, and studying their work practices. I was able to save one client the cost of running a fax machine when I noticed them preparing a fax document in Word, printing it, and taking it over to their fax machine to send it. Discovering that the PC used had a built-in modem, I installed the Windows fax component and they started to fax from screen.
Many small clients are fearful of the cost of setting up a network, so it's important to show them the benefits in terms of efficiency and cost savings — another reason why the consultation period is so important.
Small companies are also prone to attempt complicated and time-consuming backups (if they bother backing up at all.) Networking the workgroup, creating home directories on one nominated system and installing a backup device takes the sting out of this job that nobody likes to do.
The secret to designing and implementing a small business network is planning. Do your homework. Select an ISP that offers multiple email accounts; one that will register a domain will be better. Decide where the equipment is going to be located. There's a tendency with small companies to want to locate servers in unsuitable out-of-the-way corners, which makes administration and cooling a problem.
Allow extra capacity on your installation. An eight-port router will not cost a great deal more than a four-port model and will allow for 100 percent expansion. Decide whether you're going to use a patch panel or plug in directly. If you have a single room, it is more likely that direct plugging will be used. A full site survey is valuable. Knowing how you will run cables and getting your client's agreement on that is vital. You don't want to have to redesign the whole thing on installation day.
Spend time talking to the client and make a good assessment of their needs, then go away and come up with a plan that is cost effective, realistic and allows for future expansion. The way a small company operates today will hopefully bear no resemblance to how it will look in five years' time.Explain the equipment
Make sure your client knows what each piece of equipment is and why it's there. They will become suspicious if you add large expensive items onto the bill without any apparent benefit to them. Let them decide what the best configuration is once you've explained the options to them. If they decide that they want a 24-port patch panel, put one in for them. If they want a mounting rack, well, they're the boss and they're paying the bill.
If they decide that they want to be all wireless, explain the limitations. You may still need to run a few ports around the building so that there can be access points in all areas for complete coverage. With any installation, security is an issue, and never more so than with wireless connections. I never fail to be amazed at the high number of locations around my working area where I can connect directly…
Talkback
By far the quickest and easiest method is to use Homeplugs. If you have mains wiring installed (most SOHO sites unless using laptop batteries) all you need is a plug at ecah power outlet and your network is installed. I went for this because wireless was unreliable; thick walls, metal wall insulation etc; and putting cables in was going to be timeconsuming, and probably in the wrong places. Try it.