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Posted by Massimo DeRocchis

vpn for your business
October 16, 2022

VPN For Your Business

VPN For Your Business

Priority Networks Inc weighs in on various types of VPNs for a business. (Source: business.com, What Type Of VPN Is Best For Your Business?, Sean Peek, July 1, 2022, https://www.business.com/vpn/types/ ).

Importance

Author Sean Peek writes on the use of VPNs for businesses in a business.com article. Sean Peek highlights how important it is for companies to know about the types of VPNs to keep their businesses secure. A virtual private network allows users to create an encrypted connection between the internet and their devices.

Knowing the different VPN types would help businesses decide which is best suited for their needs.

Priority Networks Inc firmly believes that the encryption and privacy protection a VPN offers are why you should get a VPN for your business. It secures your valuable data from apps and services that could otherwise access it. It protects every device on your network, ensuring complete security.

VPN Types

1) Remote access

A remote access VPN connects to a remote server located in a remote country. You can enjoy privacy and protection by using a relatively inexpensive service. While it is used most commonly, it is not suited for businesses and is meant for individuals. According to Peek, a small business would find this VPN useful.

2) Site to site

Instead of connecting to one remote server, a site-to-site VPN allows multiple LANs to connect to each other. This facilitates sharing of resources. In this arrangement, one router is a VPN client, while the other is a server. Businesses prefer this option to connect multiple offices or to connect with remote workers.

3) Client-based

A client-based VPN offers a remote network connection using a client or an application. The client would manage the VPN’s communication. An encrypted link is built, ensuring a secure exchange of data. This VPN is best suited for remote employees as well as single business users who want to connect to the company network.

“We at Priority Networks Inc offer clients IT support services and solutions. We advise our clients on their VPN choice based on their business needs. We believe many factors are involved in deciding the VPN to use. The scale of the business, nature of the business, the number of employees, and remote employees would decide this. Small businesses can easily manage with remote access VPNs, while slightly larger businesses can use site-to-site VPNs. If a business is substantial and has very specific needs, we advise them to opt for an enterprise VPN.”

Protocols used

Peek lists out the various protocols used, which include:

  • Internet protocol security
  • Layer2 tunneling protocol
  • Point-to-point tunneling protocol
  • SLS and TLS
  • OpenVPN
  • Secure Shell

Each of these protocols has distinct pros and cons that a business should consider before choosing.

 

“We at Priority Networks Inc believe that Open VPN or LTP and IP Sec are beneficial for businesses. The strong security and encryption they offer and compatibility with almost all OS and devices are why a business should consider these options. We believe every business needs to secure their company and protect their valuable data by choosing the right VPN solution.”

Massimo DeRocchis
October 16, 2022
0
maintaining cables 101
October 14, 2022

Maintaining Cables 101

Maintaining Cables 101

Join Jay Tourigny and Priority Networks Inc in learning how to care for your adapters, transceivers, patch cords, and the like. (Source: Cabling Installation & Maintenance, Jay Tourigny senior vice president, MicroCare LLC, June 8, 2021, https://www.cablinginstall.com/design-install/article/14202464/wettodry-fiber-cleaning-a-good-way-to-ensure-network-reliability).

Maintaining proper network cabling is paramount for ensuring good performance and reliability. Regularly cleaning your fiber connections is essential whether you deal with data cabling or provide cabling service.

The two Major Contaminants

Jay Tourigny says oil residue and dust are the primary forms of endface contamination. Priority Networks Inc seconds the claim. Depending on the environment, dust can come from many places and parts. Examples include dead skin flakes and hair strands from work sites and installers.

Interestingly, dust can also come from data cabling cleaning tools, like particles from cleaning sticks tipped in foam. Moreover, Jay Tourigny adds that the static electricity from electrostatically charged connectors attracts dust from the air. It ends up getting locked unto the connector endface. Priority Networks Inc agrees.

When it comes to oil contamination, the biggest culprit is human skin and fingerprint oil secretions. But oil contamination can also be sourced to the off-gassing of plasticizers in PVC connector endcaps. Even IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) can contribute to oil contamination, even though it is used to clean data cabling fibers. Since it is hygroscopic, IPA absorbs minerals and moisture in the air and traps them in the network cabling fiber end faces.

Problems of Contamination

Contamination messes with the network cabling system. Even a minuscule particle can interfere with the light path, Jay Tourigny says in agreement with Priority Networks Inc.

When the light signal’s path is blocked, it may result in the loss of absorption. The contaminant may also lead to insertion loss due to a change in the light’s refraction index or dispersal of the wavelength’s unpredictability.

As a result, data transmission loss and slower network speeds can occur. If left unchecked, contamination may even lead to the complete loss of signal.

Cleaning the Contaminants

A cabling service has a couple of remedies to deal with the contamination problem.

When wiped with a dry wipe or stick, the endface develops a triboelectric charge, which attracts dust contaminants. This static bond is broken using a wet-to-dry fiber optics cleaning fluid.

Cleaning the cables becomes easier as the weakened static electricity allows the dust particles to be removed. Jay Tourigny concludes. Priority Networks stands by this statement.

Using a Wipe for Wet-to-dry Cleaning

Jay Tourigny suggests using a using good quality wipe for optical-grade cleaning. Priority Networks Inc supports the suggestion. The wipe you use should not leave any debris or residue behind. That will defeat the purpose of cleaning.

Using a Stick for Wet-to-dry Cleaning

A cleaning stick with a polymer tip is best for cleaning fiber-optic cables. Do not use sticks with a foam or paper tip as they fall apart easily, advises Jay Tourigny, and Priority Networks Inc agrees. Sticks come in handy for heavy soiled connectors or alignment sleeves that are difficult to reach by hand.

Meeting the Standards for Cleanliness

Both IPC (Institute of Printed Circuits) and iNEMI (International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative) recommend the wet-to-dry cleaning method.

To ensure installer networks perform perfectly, all network connections must meet this cleanliness standard. Priority Networks stands by these standards as well.

Massimo DeRocchis
October 14, 2022
0
Troubleshooting basics
October 9, 2022

Troubleshooting Basics

Troubleshooting Basics

Computer issues are pretty common to experience. They interrupt your work, resulting in missed deadlines and many unnecessary worries and headaches. However, you can manage these day-to-day computer hassles if you know to troubleshoot.

This article will be a valuable guide for troubleshooting a computer issue. It will take you through common computer problems and their solutions. It will also discuss the importance of hiring a professional IT company to handle and maintain IT infrastructure, components, and other details.

The Basics

What is troubleshooting?

  • You are at your wits’ end when your computer screen hangs, or an application does not close because many things might have gone wrong with your system. So troubleshooting is the trial and error method you employ to get to the root of the problem and resolve it. Many troubleshooting techniques are available, and you may have to use several approaches to solve your problem.

Why is it important to know the basics of troubleshooting?

Troubleshooting helps detect the symptoms, remove the probable cause of the problem, and requires corroboration that the solution revives the product or process to its functional state.

How to identify the problem – error messages – diagnostic results, etc.?

  • Once you start troubleshooting, begin by writing down the steps.
  • If your computer throws an error message, take down the message in detail.
  • If you are facing problems with your computer’s peripherals, check the cables first.
  • If all else fails, restart the computer.

Common issues and solutions

Basic guidelines to troubleshoot any problem IT related or not.

Slow running applications

Working on a machine with insufficient RAM, weak software, and countless errors can be challenging because it slows down your applications. However, you can resolve these issues if you can get to the crux of the matter. Try the following solutions:

  • Close down unnecessary tabs and only keep the software you need running in the background. This will reduce RAM use and improve computer speed.
  • Remove unwanted files, videos, and photos from your hard drive.
  • Remove the start-up programs you don’t need. This will help make your computer faster. If you are unsure how to troubleshoot computer issues, seek IT support.

Slow internet

This is another pestering problem that can get the better of you. You can try the below techniques to resolve the issue.

  • Just like your machine, your router, too, can get overloaded. When this happens, you may experience a slow internet connection. Try rebooting your router. Unplug the cables from your power outlets for a few seconds, then connect the wires back. You have to wait some time to check if everything is running normally.
  • You may use Ethernet cables as they provide a more stable internet connection.
  • Improving your Wi-Fi might help. At times it may be distance or where you are sitting; therefore, try moving closer to the router and see if it addresses your problem. Or you may also opt for a Wi-Fi mesh system. This will help install several base stations around your home or office.

Overheating

If your computer generates excessive heat, it can shut down entirely without notice or may experience severe damage. To avoid this, follow the below steps:

  • Keep your computer spotlessly clean as dust accumulation may increase your computer’s temperature, multiplying the chances of overheating.
  • Put away anything blocking the fan as it will impair its ability to keep the device cool.
  • Avoid sitting outside in the sun if you are working on your laptop. Instead, choose a shade or a more excellent place to work.

Malware

We all detest malware. It eats up a considerable part of your computer memory, and this could be a probable reason for your computer running slow. You may download tools to identify and quarantine malware. But it is best to call IT support.

Frozen application

It is a scenario when the application becomes stuck, and you cannot click anything within it or even shut it down. To resolve the issue, you can try the following techniques.

  • Wait for some time.
  • Press Alt + F4 to close the application.
  • Open Windows Task Manager.
  • Click the non-responding application on the Applications tab and click “End Task.”
  • Shut the computer and press the power button to reboot the computer.

If the computer starts typically, then everything is fine. Otherwise, you must call your IT networking company for support.

Issues with starting or shutting off the computer

If your computer does not start, try the below:

  • Use a different power source.
  • Check your monitor’s connection.
  • Disconnect your devices.
  • Pay attention to that single beep sound you hear when the computer starts up typically.
  • Use safe mode to start your computer.
  • Restore your computer to earlier settings.

If your computer refuses to shut down, you can use the “Power” button to force shut down the machine.

The keyboard and mouse are not functioning.

To resolve your keyboard and mouse issues, you can take the following actions:

  • Check the external device’s connection to the computer.
  • Reinstall the drivers and check if that is not the issue.
  • You can look at Device Manager for this. You can access this by right-clicking or searching on your Start menu. Here, you can see the devices connected to your network. If any of the devices show an exclamation next to them, it means they are disconnected.
  • You can now right-click and update the drivers for the device/devices. It will require a quick restart.
  • If this still does not work, right-click the device once more, click “Uninstall Drivers,” and restart the machine. This eliminates the existing drivers from your computer. Now reinstall the proper drivers once the computer restarts.

No audio or blue screen issues

You can resolve audio issues through the following:

  • Check the mute button on your headsets, keyboards, and microphones.
  • If they are fine, see if the audio is muted or low from within the operating system.
  • If the problem persists, check your playback sources.

Blue screen issues are some of the most terrifying, as they usually signify critical failure. They can lead to data loss and need to be resolved immediately. OS updates may result in blue screens, which you can fix yourself.

Error codes generally accompany blue screens. Write them down as much as you can. Because in case of more critical issues, your IT provider can address the problem by looking at the error codes. However, here are a few solutions you can implement yourself:

  • Turning off the system and restarting it may help if it is a software problem.
  • If restarting the system does not solve the problem, you can opt for an operating system installation tool to cancel updates.
  • You can run more advanced repair tools.
  • You may try reinstalling the operating system.

When in doubt, call a professional

Data cabling is an infrastructure comprised of tiny components that contribute to a complete telecommunication system. Proper network cabling installation allows for seamless connectivity, fluid communication, and secure storage for data between multiple computer systems within the workplace. Daily business operations should run seamlessly. Any interference will result in productivity loss, affecting internal relations, customer relations, and revenue. A professional network company has the knowledge, skill set, and correct hardware to ensure optimal connectivity.

 

As you can see, some computer problems you can solve yourself. But for some more complex IT solutions, you may need professional IT support.

Massimo DeRocchis
October 9, 2022
0
what is your data recovery plan
October 2, 2022

What Is Your Data Recovery Plan?

What Is Your Data Recovery Plan?

The world is dependent on data and increasingly reliant on its related functions. Data security and recovery have become even more critical than ever before. In the year 2021, the cost for data recovery and breaches went up to the highest level over the last 17 years. Having a proactive approach to data recovery and protecting your data is advisable.

 

The Basics Of Data Loss

You can lose data due to several reasons. It could be due to someone being clumsy and spilling coffee or tea on the computer or someone intentionally hacking your computer. Data loss means the deletion of information from your computer, which becomes unrecoverable.

What Is Data Loss And How to Recognize It

When the data or information stored in your computer gets corrupted accidentally or intentionally and becomes unrecoverable, it means data loss. Signs to recognize data loss are incredibly subtle, and you need to look out for the following:

  • File access slows down
  • Getting start-up errors
  • Computer hangs or crashes
  • Unusual sounds and noises

Common Causes For Data Loss

Some common causes for data loss :

  • Human error
  • Software corruption
  • Data theft and deletion
  • Virus infection
  • Hardware failure

Types Of Data Loss

  • Procedural requirement
  • Accidental deletion or overwrite
  • File corruption
  • Hard drive crash or CPU failure
  • Physical damage due to fire, earthquake, theft, or flood

How To Prevent Data Loss

There are several ways in which you can prevent loss of data. Following are some important ways to avoid it:

  • Have a security policy
  • Take regular backups
  • Encryption of sensitive data
  • Prohibit food and drink near storage devices and computers
  • Use antivirus
  • Password protection
  • Outsource to an IT company for IT support services

It would be best to recognize early signs of breakdown, overheating, frequent crashes, and slow-functioning hardware. You will usually hear some funny noise like clicking, ticking, or grinding. Also, take note if your applications or files are opening slower.

Maintenance

Prevention is better than cure. Always keep your hardware in a dust-free and clean environment. If you notice your hardware is heating up more than usual, call an engineer to open and clean it. Do not allow food and or beverages near computers and storage devices.

Suspicious Links Or Emails

Phishing attacks are common tactics used by hackers. They will send an email or a link. If you click on the link, it will take you to a fake website that looks legitimate and ask you to fill in personal and banking information.

In the event you open a suspicious email, the hacker could potentially access your computer and hack into sensitive data.

Regular Backup

Always take regular backups of your hard disk and storage devices to prevent loss of data. You may also approach an IT solutions company for your needs.

Plan Of Action

In the event you lose your data, then please follow the below guidelines:

  • If you have lost data, then avoid writing and saving further information, if possible
  • Make sure to close all applications
  • If data was accidentally deleted, then you can search for it in the recycle bin
  • If you have experienced lost data due to a system crash, then try using the file recovery application
  • It is always recommended to run antivirus software to check for virus and clean it
  • Call your network specialist; sometimes, the issue is more detrimental than perceived

How To Create A Data Recovery and Backup Plan

The following steps will help you with recovery and backup:

  • Evaluate your backup requirement
  • Do a complete security audit and understand the vulnerabilities
  • Have a backup solution with your IT services company
  • Run a mock drill for recovery
  • Use cloud backup

 

Loss of data is a significant concern for companies. Given the increase in online transactions across the spectrum of industries, it is imperative to protect sensitive data on your hardware. It is best advised to outsource your IT and storage needs to a professional IT solutions company and focus on your core business. Want to discuss your data recovery plan? Contact Priority Networks Inc today!

Massimo DeRocchis
October 2, 2022
0
SEO vs. SEM whats the difference
September 29, 2022

SEO vs. SEM- what’s the difference?

SEO vs. SEM- What’s the difference?

SEO and SEM are primary types of digital marketing strategies that can effectively help you attract the desired traffic via search engines like Google and Bing. Using them will result in faster growth of your business through online channels. Let us learn more about these two digital marketing techniques and how they differ.

SEO is the complex process of optimizing a website’s content, design, etc., to attract organic traffic from search engines. On the other hand, SEM depends on pay-per-click (PPC) advertising platforms, usually integrated with search engines, to include a website among the top-ranked results on a search engine.

The tricky part for any website owner or digital marketer is knowing which technique will better serve your website traffic goals. However, suppose you can effectively combine these two in your digital marketing strategy. In that case, you can quickly and efficiently enhance your brand’s awareness. This, in turn, will result in impressive site traffic and increased revenue for your website.

 

What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) focuses on helping users find a website quickly by improving its visibility and rank on search engines. It is the process of increasing your organic (unpaid) visibility on search engines to increase brand awareness and attract targeted users to your website. SEO improves the organic search engine ranking of a website. Here, organic refers to free services. Search engine crawlers more easily recognize an optimized website, thereby improving its ranking in the SERPs.

What is Search Engine Marketing (SEM)?

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is a marketing practice to increase website traffic by using paid ads and SEO by targeting the audience by increasing its visibility on search engine result pages (SERPs). SEM is considered a part of online marketing, which consists of various strategies like email marketing, content marketing, SEM, SEO, and video marketing to increase the website’s traffic. However, unlike other methods, SEM is a type of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.

Difference Between SEO and SEM

Both SEO and SEM rely heavily on keywords to drive traffic to business websites and web pages. Some of the significant differences between the two are described as follows:

  • SEM is paid marketing for exchanging website traffic. SEM brings instant traffic to a website, and the more a company spends on advertising through these channels, the more traffic it gets.
  • In SEM, the visibility of a website is achieved through organic searches of customers who have seen the ad, clicked on the ad, visited the site, remembered the brand, and searched when needed.
  • SEM is a great marketing tool for quick testing and gathering insights. SEM lets you test keywords, ad copy, and bidding strategies faster than SEO. This also creates an opportunity to improve landing pages based on accurate data in less time.
  • With SEO strategies, you can increase traffic to your website. This technique optimizes your content for your target audience, ranking your landing page higher in search engines like Google and Bing.
  • SEO requires an optimized website and a well-thought-out off-site strategy. It seeks to increase the website’s visibility on the internet.
  • A website with effective SEO would be regarded as an authority for specific keywords searched by any internet user, leading to higher click-through and conversion rates.
  • In addition to the content, SEO techniques also involve appropriate modifications to your website’s technical backend and domain services.

Using SEO and SEM Together

Building an SEO strategy that includes SEM gives your business a diverse and comprehensive approach to marketing yourself online. This will lead to more traffic, leads, and sales from multiple channels, including search, paid, and social. While you work on improving the SEO for the website, a well-optimized SEM strategy in place will create visibility and encourage quick conversions from internet visitors. Once both SEO and SEM strategies are in place, they will operate well together to drive your business’s visibility on the web.

SEM makes it super-easy to A/B test your website’s traffic performance and monitors whether it’s working as intended. When it’s not, you can quickly make tweaks and keep your campaign on track. On the other hand, SEO means you must monitor longer-term results, which can take a while to come in. It’s also not as easy to identify what’s causing a campaign to stall or struggle to bring in results, which means a lot of problem-solving needs to be done.

Without a strong SERP presence, the critical mix of visibility and strategic marketing won’t make much of a difference in the long run. The organic effect of SEO and the targeted advertising of SEM only work if the website is SEO friendly. Without SEO, SEM cannot increase and vice versa. The right keywords, an SEO-friendly website, and sponsored ads can lead to high-quality traffic and higher conversion rates. For search engines to recognize that you are a solid website, SEO and SEM should work at an effective frequency and measure input equally.

SEO emphasizes organic search results or getting to the top of result listings when users search for specific keywords related to your website on search engines like Google and Bing. On the other hand, SEM focuses on choosing the right keywords to invest in online advertising for your brand so that the ads appear in the paid search results of major search engines. Anyone looking to grow their business using digital marketing should understand how SEO and SEM work in today’s digital infrastructure and how these strategies will evolve as the numbers of websites and internet users grow, along with future changes in technology. Although SEO and SEM are very different, without the presence of the other, one would not be able to have its full effect on a digital marketing strategy.

Massimo DeRocchis
September 29, 2022
0
THE Importance of computer networking 2
September 25, 2022

The Importance of Computer Networking

The Importance of Computer Networking

Communication is the bond that holds us all together and keeps our day-to-day operations running smoothly. The foundation of good communication is information. In today’s age, computer networking has become a critical means of information interchange between people. A computer network is an interconnection between computers. We may also say that a computer network is a group of computers connected in such a way that one computer can interact with another computer.

How does a computer network work?

Computer networks are built on specialized hardware, such as switches, routers, and access points. Computers, printers, servers, and other networked devices are connected and secured via access points, known as switches, which allow devices to connect to the network without wires for IT services.

Routers are the hubs and dispatchers that link networks together. Sending information over a network is made more accessible by these devices. Using a router, you can protect your personal and corporate data from outside dangers.

MAC and IP addresses are unique identifiers for network devices and connections. The device manufacturer assigns a unique number to each device’s network interface card (NIC), known as its MAC address. Similarly, a network connection is identified by its IP address.

Importance of computer networking

For various reasons, an IT company, organization, or person might benefit significantly from networking. Some of the advantages are described as follows:

  • Cost savings

You can save money and make the most of your resources through computer networks. In technology, hardware is the most expensive resource. Your hardware expenditure is significantly reduced by using a computer network.

  • Boost storage capacity and volume

Computer networks use a central data storage server to store all their data. Only your staff will have access to this information. You may utilize the report to learn more about how to make your organization more productive. The amount of storage servers required is reduced when using a central server. As a bonus, your business will also run more efficiently.

  • Optimize convenience and flexibility

Flexible business operations are made possible via computer networks. Any authorized device connected to the network may be used to access the business data. This allows your employees more freedom to work on their assigned tasks at any time and from any location with network or internet access.

  • Streamline the exchange of ideas

Computer networking has had a significant positive impact on the landscape of communication. Text messages and data may be sent and received through networking. You may obtain the information you require by using any device. An internet connection is all you need. For instance, even if your smartphone crashes, you may still access your data by logging in from another device.

Types of computer networks and their purpose

Types of computer networks 

  • PAN 

Technology equipment that serves a single person inside a facility may be linked to form Personal Area Networks (PANs). PAN is accessible within a radius of 10 meters only. It is a viable alternative for small companies or homes needing network connectivity. PAN is the most flexible networking option available. You may stream music and movies from the internet to your phone or tablet through a PAN at your home.

  • LAN

As with official establishments, local area networks (LANs) may only be used in a specific location because their reach is restricted. A LAN is crucial for sharing resources such as printers, file servers, and data storage. This is one of the most widely used networking options because the cost of LAN gear, such as ethernet cables and hubs, is low.

  • MAN

The metropolitan area network (MAN), also known as Campus Area Network (CAN) or Campus Networks, is a collection of many local area networks (LANs) joined together to form a single network. MAN is a network of computers spread over a town, city, or college campus. Thus, LAN is limited to a smaller area, but MAN is far more expansive. MAN may link a local place or go a considerable distance, depending on the connection.

  • WAN

More people are connected through a wide area network (WAN) than through MAN. A nation, if not a continent, may be reached through WAN. Cables, optical fibers, and satellites connect the computers and the whole network. People may connect to such a network by using modems. LANs and MANs make up the smaller networks that are part of WANs.

  • Wireless local area network (WLAN) 

A wireless local area network is a type of LAN that does not depend on wired connections. If you’re looking for an on-premises or IT solution, WLANs and LANs may be utilized interchangeably (wired or wireless).

  • Virtual private network (VPN)

A virtual private network protects your online identity and personal information by encrypting your connection to a remote network. The VPN serves as a mediator between you and the network by encrypting your data and disguising your identity.

Although this is a good choice for transmitting and receiving sensitive information, VPNs are also the best way to protect you online. A VPN is vital to protect you from hackers while connected to a public network.

Factors when designing an IT Network

Here are a few things to remember while building an IT network.

  • Know your network objectives

Astonishingly, many firms fail to assess their IT network’s primary purpose. Establishing the network’s goal is critical before acquiring the appropriate components and resources.

  • Security

The importance of security cannot be overstated. Your IT network’s stability will depend on how well you identify its strengths and limitations.

Testing the security and IT infrastructure against different threats is vital to their ongoing maintenance and improvement. Otherwise, hostile third parties can compromise all the money put into building the network.

  • Scalability 

The capacity to grow indefinitely is also critical. Maintenance, upgrades, and updates are required for IT resources. Predicted network expansion may assist avoid unexpected expenditures. As a result, your firm will be better prepared for any future growth that may be required.

  • IT Maintenance 

You’ll have to think about IT network upkeep. The maintenance of all hardware and software components might be a mammoth undertaking depending on the size of your firm.

  • Updates

The highest speed and the lowest possible security risk level may be achieved by configuring automatic updates and patching all network components.

 

The company’s success depends on the quality of technology it uses for its business operations. Computer networks are a must-have for every organization nowadays. Businesses and organizations may use a wide range of computer networking options. You’ll be able to improve communication inside and outside your company.

Massimo DeRocchis
September 25, 2022
0
Structured cabling or Point to Point
September 18, 2022

Structured Cabling or Point to Point?

Structured Cabling or Point to Point?

With the ever-growing emergence of network-connected devices, much of the conversation has shifted to wireless connections. However, cabling isn’t going away and is still an essential part of any IT environment.

Amidst all this, you may be debating whether to use a point-to-point cabling service or structured cabling for your data center. To help you make the best choice for your office or workplace, let us give you all the information that will help you make a confident decision. We’ll explain how each one works, as well as their pros and cons, so that you can feel secure in your choice when it comes down to it.

 

What Is Point-to-Point Cabling?

Point-to-point cabling refers to a data cabling system that uses long cables. The long cables are used to connect one point to another, such as from one switch or storage unit to another. The use of long cables creates an economical and sturdy network.

Today’s networks are far more advanced and see more traffic each day. Point-to-point networking cable service does not offer the same flexibility as infrastructure configuration.

As our computing needs are increasing, point-to-point connections are no longer cost and space-effective. A new solution was conceived with an increasing number of cables and complexity multiplication. This process is a downside of point-to-point cabling in modern data centers.

Even though the point-to-point cable is no longer used nowadays, due to the availability of top-of-rack (ToR) and end-of-row (EoR) equipment mounting options, it has now come back. ToR and EoR equipment often relies on P2P cables, which can be a painless but expensive solution if you see them as an alternative to standards-based structured cabling systems.

What Is Structured Cabling?

Point-to-point cable setups are quite problematic. As a response, data center standards like TIA-942-A and ISO 24764 offer a better layout of the cable innards so that devices can communicate with one another easily. Structured Cabling is a networking cable system that provides managers the chance to expand their business thoroughly. Structured cabling is designed to provide data, wireless, voice communications, and video capabilities.

Unlike point-to-point cabling, structured cabling service uses distribution areas to make sure everything is connected. For example, a switch might lead to a server, and the server may connect to some storage. Switches might also be part of the connection and create an even more robust network.

Structured cabling meets Electronic Industry Alliance/Telecommunications Industry Association (EIA/TIA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards related to design, installation, maintenance, documentation, and system extension.

So, in an increasingly complex environment, this can also help reduce costs and risks.

Is one better than the other

Structured cabling is a more complex system than Point to Point. It requires the installation of cables and wires that are installed in a specific order.

Point to Point, on the other hand, only requires two devices to communicate with each other. There is no need for any unique installation or ordering of cables and wires.

Structured cabling is a more expensive option than Point to Point because it requires specialized equipment and labor costs that are not needed with point-to-point connections.

Point-to-point connections are much faster than structured cabling because they don’t require any special installation or ordering of cables and wires.

However, structured cabling is a more advanced and reliable way of transmitting data than point-to-point wiring. Structured cabling provides a better channel for data so that the signal can be transmitted over long distances without any loss in quality or speed.

Using structured cabling reduces the risk of interference, which can cause signal quality and speed problems when using point-to-point wiring.

Different use cases of structured cabling

Structured cabling is used to connect the different types of computers and other devices in an office, school, or other large building.

The need for structured network cabling arises because modern computer networks now use high-speed data transmission over long distances.

The cables used in structured cabling are made of copper or fiber optic cable, and they transmit signals at a high frequency. The cables are installed inside the walls of buildings and come with connectors that help to organize them.

Different use cases of point-to-point cabling

Point-to-point wiring is a type of cabling that connects two devices, such as computers, without a network switch. This type of wiring connection is most commonly used in home networks.

The first use case for point-to-point wiring is in home networks, where it connects two computers. This configuration is often used when the user needs to transfer files between the two computers or share an Internet connection. The second use case for point-to-point wiring is connecting a network switch with a router or computer with an Internet connection. This configuration can be helpful if one device needs to access data on another device and there’s no other way to do so (such as through Wi-Fi).

 

The conclusion is that both of these cables are considered reasonable IT solutions for different purposes. Structured cables are better for data cabling centers, and point-to-point cables are better for connecting two devices together. The information provided in this article is sufficient to determine if a structured cabling service is better for your use case or point-to-point cabling.

 

Need more information? Contact Priority Networks Inc today!

Massimo DeRocchis
September 18, 2022
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Finding the balance between IT and OT Systems
September 16, 2022

Finding the Balance Between IT and OT Systems

Finding the Balance Between IT and OT Systems

Priority Networks Inc weighs in on information technology and operational technology systems, and the appropriate actions to balance them.

(Source: Cabling Installation & Maintenance, ICT design focus: Balancing the mix of IT and OT, written by Andrew Froehlich, November 10, 2021,  https://www.cablinginstall.com/blogs/article/14213801/ict-design-focus-balancing-the-mix-of-it-and-ot ).

In order to understand the balance between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems, it is essential to know their differences. IT systems are used for business computations and information storage with a data-centric approach. On the other hand, OT systems are responsible for monitoring events, devices, and processes for running various business operations.

In today’s world, robust IT systems are essential to automate and streamline business operations, which can improve productivity. They help eliminate human error and analyze data collected from various business processes. Similarly, OT is critical for businesses and society for the efficient operations of critical infrastructure and core business processes. For example, OT helps ensure smart buildings’ safety and security. Therefore, no matter how successful a business is, it will have issues if it doesn’t have capable IT and OT systems.

At Priority Networks Inc, we understand that the balance between the IT and OT systems is about converging the two approaches into a single environment where both capabilities are optimally utilized. Recently, I came across an article highlighting the challenges inherent in effectively integrating IT and OT systems in smart building designs. As an IT services company, we were inspired by the recommendations for combining IT and OT systems within a single network architecture.

Separating the Flow of Network Traffic Using Access Control Systems and SSIDs

The suggestion for maintaining the same physical network for both IT and OT equipment while using separate SSIDs for Wi-Fi was very insightful. Apart from resource and cost optimization, this method will effectively separate the traffic between the IT and the OT systems, resulting in the security of one system even if the other is compromised. The IT support teams at smart building solution providers can adopt a similar approach. As recommended by the article, network firewalls and access-configured routers are also helpful methods to separate the traffic between IT and OT components.

Maintaining Granular Remote Access Controls for IT and OT Devices

As a provider of IT services, we at Priority Networks Inc agree with the article’s premise that it is imperative to maintain the security of the systems from any external threats and risks. As discussed in the article, it is a common challenge to share access to critical technology infrastructure in smart buildings because of the unreliability of network connectivity. Although VPNs can help in such cases, the way they are configured makes the network prone to attacks by malicious actors. Thus, denying access to the smart building network for most components other than the handful of core IT and OT devices is a good practice.

Adopting Modern Cybersecurity Technologies to Safeguard Both IT and OT Systems

While some OT systems are modern and complex, most of the OT devices being used are also expected to be decades old. Thus, a significant challenge associated with the convergence of IT and OT systems, especially traditional OT systems, is that it creates cybersecurity risks, which the article rightly highlights. Such systems may have never been intended to be connected to an organization’s IT infrastructure. It may be assumed that such systems operate in isolated environments and do not require protection from cybersecurity threats.

Connecting such legacy systems to the smart building IT infrastructure could leave the entire network vulnerable, as attackers now have a direct communication path to access devices. Thus, organizations looking to converge their IT/OT infrastructure must prioritize cybersecurity. In this regard, modern artificial intelligence (AI)-based IT solutions offer end-to-end visibility of a business’s IT infrastructure. These AI-based IT support systems reduce the dependency on manual efforts to identify the root cause of any security incident. Based on this, the company takes suitable pre-emptive actions to ensure that the security of the network infrastructure is upheld.

OT is Behind IT in Cybersecurity, and Businesses Must Find Their Solutions

Threat actors use sophisticated techniques against critical infrastructure and industrial assets to access OT systems to disrupt operations and production. They also use poorly secured OT systems to access enterprise IT networks. These attacks exploit the siloed dynamic between OT and IT systems and security. The attackers are costing their victims a loss in production, interrupting workflow, revenue, and ransomware payouts.

In the past, whereas IT security prioritized system security, data confidentiality, process integrity, and infrastructure availability, OT security focused on protecting operational safety, productivity, and reliability. However, now OT systems, control systems, and physical industrial processes are becoming increasingly complex in their purposes and capabilities. This has resulted in leveraging IT systems and security tools to manage and secure OT networks.

However, as highlighted in the article, we at Priority Networks Inc believe that current IT support solution providers lack the expertise to handle OT system security. In addition, there is a lack of data security experts and OT vendors in the market. Thus, businesses must put extra effort into maintaining the security of their OT systems. This way, they can balance their organization’s infrastructural requirements and IT and OT systems.

Businesses need to invest in both IT and OT because they can help increase productivity and ensure efficient operations. This ensures that companies stay competitive in their industry and can meet the needs of both their customers and employees. However, it is also critical that companies establish a proper and secure framework for handling these systems. As an IT services provider, we at Priority Networks Inc firmly believe businesses can effectively secure their assets and network without much expenditure by adopting some of the methods discussed in the article.

Massimo DeRocchis
September 16, 2022
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Factors that can impact SEO
September 15, 2022

Factors that can impact SEO

Factors that can impact SEO

Priority Networks Inc weighs in on the top seven factors that can impact SEO.  (Source: Forbes, Seven Factors that Can Impact SEO’s ROI, Corey Morris, June 6, 2022, https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2022/06/06/seven-factors-that-can-impact-seos-roi/?sh=70b999c99df5 ).

As a technology company, we at Priority Networks Inc have always strived to provide our clients with the best possible services. However, many of our clients are skeptical about investing in digital marketing to grow their businesses. They hear about other companies not getting the expected ROI from their digital marketing efforts and feel discouraged about their prospects. However, they fail to realize that the problem may not be inherent in the strategy but in those who design or deploy it.

Our SEO team recently viewed the article discussing the issues affecting companies’ SEO, which immediately resonated with our experiences as service providers. At Priority Networks Inc, our responsibility is to educate our clients on making the most of their digital marketing strategies. To help others understand what factors influence their SEO and digital marketing efforts, view the points below.

Treat SEO as a Business Investment

We agree with the article’s basic premise that search engine optimization is an investment because it requires significant time, money, and resources to be successful. The first thing you should do when planning an SEO campaign is budget for it, so you know how much time and money you’re committing to the process. Understand that there will be victories and losses. Still, in the long run, you will reach and continue to multiply and reinvest with the correct investment partner (in-house or external).

Allocate Dedicated Resources for SEO

As mentioned in the article, we believe clients should have a dedicated SEO team for their search engine optimization strategies. SEO specialists know how to effectively target users to help them find your website when looking for certain products or services. A dedicated team ensures optimized results and happier customers, leading to increased business profits. Other resources include partners, such as ourselves here at Priority Networks Inc; we specialize in content creation and development as well as IT.

Clients Should Consider Both Hard and Soft Costs Involved in SEO

Search engine optimization requires time, money, and resources that may not be available immediately. At Priority Networks Inc, we believe it is a good practice to set aside funds for SEO specifically for this reason, so nothing is holding up the process on launch day. Both personnel and technology come at a cost. Even in-house teams may require a reasonable software budget to have the tools they need to accomplish the job. In addition, at times, traffic isn’t free; it comes with a cost in the form of ads or sponsored posts. As mentioned in the article, it is essential to consider quality over quantity and factor in hard and soft costs.

Businesses Must First Understand the Fundamentals of SEO

We at Priority Networks Inc agree with the article’s argument favoring that clients should understand basic SEO. In fact, at Priority Networks Inc, we recommend our clients’ business executives become, at the very least, familiar with 101-level materials on SEO before approaching outside agencies. These resources are available on Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land, or Google. It is also critical that companies know their audience to provide insight, allowing our SEO team to create content that matches their needs. This will help them develop more successful marketing campaigns and improve their company’s reputation online.

Participate in the Digital Marketing Process for Your Business

The article correctly states that search engine optimization requires an ongoing commitment to measurable results. Failure to do so will result in wasted time and resources. For example, you must measure the success of your SEO campaign regularly instead of depending on outside agencies. This will require you to monitor search results, competitors’ websites, and social media pages. In addition, you must track which keywords your company ranks for, so you can adjust your content accordingly.

Have Reasonable Expectations from Your SEO and Digital Marketing Efforts

Businesses must set reasonable expectations when engaging in an SEO campaign because many factors can affect its success. In addition, we at Priority Networks Inc included three more points. First, it is essential to know that SEO is a long game that requires business patience and dedication. Second, it is necessary to know your monthly expectations and what you can realistically expect from providers each month. Third, companies must learn how to evaluate their progress regularly to adjust their goals as needed throughout their campaign’s lifespan. Businesses must consider all three factors when determining how much time and money they should invest in their SEO campaigns.

Your Team Have the Right to be Concerned About the Business ROI from SEO

The article rightly points out that clients have the right to be concerned about the performance of their SEO strategies implemented by service providers such as Priority Networks Inc. However, when evaluating SEO service providers’ success rates, businesses must note how much experience the providers have in the field when setting expectations for returns from their investments. Any reasonable expectation would be based on how long the providers have been in business. It is also crucial for companies to understand that performance can vary depending on how much research was done before initiating their campaign with providers. The more research done before starting an SEO campaign, the more the failure rates are minimized.

As digital marketing service providers with many years of experience, Priority Networks Inc concludes that SEO services work best when approached from an investment perspective.

Massimo DeRocchis
September 15, 2022
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Cabling Must Haves for Your New Office Building
September 11, 2022

Cabling Must-Haves for Your New Office Building

Cabling Must-Haves for Your New Office Building

Have you thought about moving offices? Making a good decision on your data-structured cabling service is an often overlooked aspect when someone is building (or moving into) an office. It’s more important than every other room, so it should be considered.

It’s essential for businesses to consider voice and data cabling, even though this sector is often neglected when it comes to setting up a new office. Worry not; we’re here to help!

 

Points to Consider Before Moving to Your New Office Space

Check if you have the blueprint

Do you have an office space plan or a set of blueprints? If so, you should have a diagram that illustrates where your voice and data connections can be placed safely and according to the building code. Your structured network will flow across the entire office infrastructure. It will not be limited to an assigned data center.

If your project is large, it would be best to contact a data cabling service or an engineering firm specializing in communications. With a blueprint of the network layout and building infrastructure, the data cable installer will proceed to identify the physical requirements. This includes the number of additional devices, cables, and bandwidth. A professional will take into consideration an infrastructure to protect the cables from wear and tear, dust, and temperature variations.

Multiple connections for voice and data can become quite complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing, so make sure that you contact the professionals!

Before you move forward with an installation, making a plan is essential. This will help avoid any rough patches in the future.

Make room for your network room

Apart from this, when designing your network or wiring room, always make sure you have the right amount of space. Future growth is inevitable, and without enough space, you’ll end up cramming all your equipment into a small area, leading to problems down the line.

When figuring out how much space you need, it’s essential to make sure you have an open stepladder to access all sides of the rack. Adding more shelves or cabinets with time is also a good option. Don’t forget to account for that in your initial allotted space.

Choose the correct cable type

There are many types of cables, but Cat 5e and Cat 6 are essentially the same. There is one difference between the two. Cat5e is for networks where bandwidth needs to be at 100MHz or less, whereas Cat6 is for networks where bandwidth needs to be at 1Gbit/s or higher.

With the cost of Cat 6 cable not as different from that of Cat 5e, you have an added measure of future-proofing, and your data transmission will keep improving.

Decide your office network type

Office IT networks use either wireless, wired, or hybrid networks. Depending on the specific requirements, you can choose the one that suits your office environment best. To make it easy for you, we are going to discuss each network cabling type in brief:

  • Wired: Wired networks require physical connections and cables, which can be faster than wireless but more challenging to arrange in your workspace. Out-of-office setups would be more difficult to set up too.
  • Wireless: Wireless networks are run off on a radio wave called Wi-Fi. By taking away cables, the coverage area for Wi-Fi is much better overall. It allows you to place access points that can be customized so certain areas within your building can have better coverage.
  • Hybrid: A hybrid network cable combines the best of both worlds by combining all the different tools in your arsenal and putting them to use in an efficient, easy-to-manage way. On the one hand, employees can take advantage of trustworthy speed when necessary, such as sending large files or working during prime internet traffic hours. Not only can they move around freely, but remote work is also easier to manage and less stressful to organize.

Contacting experts is a good choice

It can be an intimidating task to create the correct network cabling setup for your business. The many aspects involved require strong IT skills and planning your devices plays a significant role in the future of your office and the budget. Professionals are proven to give small businesses a lot of benefits. These benefits typically include faster network speeds, data cable management, maintenance requirements, reliability, and performance improvements in other areas.

What You Need to Set Up Your New Office

Structured cabling

The total quality of your business’s need for a structured telecommunications infrastructure has become necessary. Structured cabling is easy and takes less time to have a setup that fits your specific needs. Structured cabling provides a wide variety of uses. For example, this cabling system can be used to connect telephone services and data transmission through a computer network.

Network cabling systems should not be device dependent and have features for flexibility and scalability. The future of your business will require stable, scalable solutions that can adapt to any future changes in the industry, and structured cabling will help you achieve that.

Voice and data cabling

Communication is vital to any organization. Voice, video, data, and electronic cabling are all essential cabling systems that you will need. Connection speed can be frustrating when slow or spotty. You want fast and clear communication, so make sure you have a sound system installed, and it is done correctly.

Server rooms

Your server room is often isolated and dark. But that doesn’t mean it’s less important than the rest of your business. In fact, IT staff need to have access to vital services like backups, maintenance, and upgrades. Systems built on a cheap and weak foundation like this often cost you more in the long run and put your equipment at risk. They also tend to slow down quickly and offer low-quality service.

Voice and data cabling

Communication is essential to any business. For internal and inter-office communications, voice, video, data, and some types of electronic cabling are all important. Any loss of connectivity can interrupt workflow, and therefore data cabling installation and equipment must be up-to-date and correct.

WI-FI access

As the next generation of data users emerge, so will the increased need for a Wi-Fi solution for your office or facility. A great way to ensure successful Wi-Fi deployment is a Wi-Fi survey. A Wi-Fi survey will provide information about the environmental and technical aspects needed to devise a successful team leader for this project.

The right cables 

Coaxial cables are the most common cable used in homes and offices. They provide a way to transmit signals between different devices with the help of an electric current.

The right cables are essential for every home and office. It is also important to know that not all coaxial cables are created equally. There are various coaxial cables, each with its specifications and use cases.

Some coaxial cable types include CAT (Coaxial Cable Assemblies), shielded twisted pair, etc. Shielded twisted pair is a cable that consists of four pairs of wires twisted around each other to protect from external interference and noise.

We know that setting up your new office is not an easy task. Hiring an IT service expert can help you with all your office needs. They can help you save time and have fewer chances of facing setbacks in the future.

 

Follow the outlined points above, and you’ll be up and running in no time!

There are a lot of factors to be considered when shifting to a new office. Other than the internal cost of convenience, there is something else to keep in mind: parking availability, hot water availability, and electricity costs.

Have you thought about moving offices? Making a good decision on your data-structured cabling system is an often overlooked aspect when someone is building (or moving into) an office. It’s more important than every other room, so it should get the same consideration.

Worry not; we’re here to help! Contact Priority Networks Inc today for your networking and data cabling needs!

Massimo DeRocchis
September 11, 2022
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