How to select a connection to the Internet
Businesses today need an "always on" broadband Internet connection. Dial up connections are simply too slow and inefficient. An "always on" connection provides continuous access to the Internet.

Available broadband service depends on your location. If you are within a prescribed distance of the telephone company's central office (usually about 3 miles), a DSL broadband connection may be available. Cable Internet connections are another, very reliable source of high speed broadband. Both cable and DSL connections are normally available in a choice of speeds. In addition to the Internet connection itself, some providers offer web-hosting and e-mail services as well as "static" IP addresses. A static or fixed, permanent IP address is desirable if you are using a server on your own network to host your company's e-mail.

Companies requiring higher speeds and reliability may opt for a more expensive T-1 connection, available from several sources. If neither DSL or cable broadband service is available, a T-1 or less expensive "fractional" T-1 connection may be the best option.

How to know if you need a server for your business
A server is a computer which provides central storage for a company's files and central administration of user access to all of the resources on the network. Central storage of files simplifies the sharing of information and allows central and automatic backup of data files. Printers may also be shared for access by all users. Both Windows PC's and Apple Macintosh computers are able to access files stored on servers.

If the server is running Microsoft's Small Business Server 2003 software, many additional benefits are available. All computers connected to the server can browse the Internet through a secure firewall on the server. E-mail can be hosted on the server permitting anti-virus software to check e-mail before it is distributed to individual employees. Anti-virus updates can be obtained as frequently as hourly and automatically pushed out from the server to computers on the network. Employees can access the server or their desktops from remote locations. Faxes can be directly transmitted from users computers on the network. Many collaboration tools allow users to share calendars, tasks, discussions, or mailboxes. Accounting and other application software packages can run on the server and be made accessible to local or remote users. Security is enhanced because controls are centrally administered.

Server computers are usually more ruggedly constructed than home computers or workstations. They have more fans and redundant power supplies. Hard drives can be "mirrored" or "striped" using a technique called RAID. Mirroring or striping allows replacement of failed drives "on the fly" without impacting operations.

Because the cost of large capacity servers and software is now so low, any company with more than two computers should consider a server as the next step in network growth.

How to provide security for your network
Here are basic suggestions for securing your computer and network

          - Use "strong passwords" for access to your computer and network
          - Install patches from your software vendor as soon as they become available
          - Use anti-virus software. Make certain it is regularly updated
          - Install a firewall between your network or computer and the Internet
          - Back up your data frequently and store a copy off-site
          - Consider what would happen if your computer were stolen or destroyed in a fire
          - Secure your wireless network (see below)

How to set up your company's e-mail
Most companies would prefer to have their company name as part of their e-mail address (jsmith@mycompany.com) rather than jsmith@aol.com or jsmith@charter.net. Some Internet Service Providers (ISP's) will provide this service.

Their are drawbacks, however, to using an ISP to "host" a company's e-mail. Any e-mail that is sent internally from one employee to another is sent out over the public Internet, a drawback for lawyers or accountants who wish to keep information confidential. E-mail sent over the public Internet is like a post card sent by regular mail - it can be intercepted and read.

A better way is to host e-mail internally on a company's own server. E-mail intended for internal use is never exposed to the public Internet. Outside e-mail can be checked as it comes in to the server for viruses, before it is immediately distributed to employee's computers. If the server is running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003, the e-mail can easily be read remotely and securely from an Internet browser or PDA.

How to set up a company web site
Simple web sites can be composed using basic tools such as Microsoft's Front Page software. More complex sites require special skills and programs. Once the web site has been composed it must be "uploaded" to a server where it is said to be "hosted".

Most companies chose to host their public web sites at companies specializing in providing these services. Hosting a public web site on a company's internal server raises serious security concerns, as the public is permitted access to the internal network. Moreover, web hosting companies generally have very high speed connections to the Internet and can provide a range of reports about web site traffic.

It is possible to set up an internal web site for use by company employees. Policy manuals, company photographs, or other material can be stored on the site. Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 provides a default internal web site to facilitate the sharing of company documents and information amongst employees.

How to access your network remotely
Accessibility to the resources on your office computer or network will depend on the software being used. Today, it is possible to access the desktop of your office computer using an Internet browser from your home or other location. E-mail may also be retrieved from any location using an Internet browser. It is also possible to connect a computer to your office network from your home and work as if you were at the office. Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 supports all of these capabilities.

How to safely set up a wireless network
Security is a major concern for wireless networks. Standards are continually changing. We recommend using the latest 802.1x technology using the WPA (not WEP) security standard. Also:

          - Never use the default SSID provided by the manufacturer
          - Set up an access control list by Mac address of all devices you want to associate with the access point or wireless router
          - Change the default password provided by the manufacturer on the access point or wireless router
          - Place the access point or router in the center of your home and not near a window
          - Turn off administrative access over wireless if possible