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Monday, May 01, 2006

Computer Consulting Tips: Enhancing Your Network

Computer networks area constantly struggling with being too useful, and users are continuing to find new uses for their networks each day. When you are constantly pushing your computer to the limit with requests for information and files or applications, your network can get bogged down. If your network is overly slow, this article can provide you with ten computer consulting tips offered by Joshua Feinberg of Computer Consulting 101 to keep it running quickly and smoothly.

1. NEW EQUIPMENT
Many small and even some larger companies purchased new routers, hubs and switches before Y2K but haven’t upgraded them since then. Buying new equipment to help boost your network doesn’t have to be expensive, but it can totally change your productivity.

2. BANDWIDTH AVAILABILITY AND PRICING
A bandwidth provider might not have increased bandwidth or cut prices even though it should be available, which means lower prices. Upgrading to a higher speed can be more affordable than ever before.

3. INVEST IN STORAGE
Storage items are at bargain prices these days, and with so many computer consulting options for management there is no reason not to increase your storage capabilities.

4. HARDENING YOUR NETWORK
Viruses and malware, including spyware, Trojans and worms have become increasingly problematic in recent years, and having updated security measures is a must. If these items are left unblocked, they can slow or even destroy a network.

5. AUTOMATED RESOURCE MONITORING
You can use this to help find network bottlenecks and speed up the network.

6. USERS AND MANAGERS
You need to keep up the communication with your managers and network users to gauge experiences with using the system so you can determine which measures you need to take to make it work more efficiently. Each will have a different experience.

7. NEW APPLICATIONS
Some information might be entered multiple times, but adding inexpensive software or middleware can often reduce data entry frequency. There are different companies providing network optimization applications and file services, including Tacit Networks in South Plainfield, NJ that recommend the last two computer consulting tips for speeding up networks.

8. E-MAIL CONSOLIDATION AND ACCELERATION
E-mail is one of the biggest robbers of network speed, particularly that which has attachments. Add to that irresponsible or disorganized forwarding of multiple messages that are never opened and things can really get slow. E-mail consolidation and acceleration technologies can help download e-mails but leave the attachments alone if they are left unopened.

9. WIDE AREA FILE SERVICES
These services can create much more efficient WAN communication because they enhance compression abilities and improve communication between users and senders.

10. DATA REDUCTION AND PATTERN MATCHING
This tip can help reduce the workload of appliances sitting at different parts of the WAN by letting them only exchange file changes instead of an entire file. Any unchanged information is simply stored, which leads to less data transmission and better network performance.