Networking in Organizations

Posted: November 30th, 2013

Networking in Organizations

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Networking in Organizations

With the onset and dynamism of technology, firms and organizations have to be well adept into the technology environment around them. Successful firms such as multinationals are usually up to date with the latest technology, which equips them with competitive advantages over their counterparts. For the sharing of information among the management and employees, it is very important for firms to possess well-versed media solutions responsible for sharing and downloading of vital information among workers in an organization.

There are various solutions provided for organizations that enable networking between media such as laptops among workers. Networking is the use of computing devices and linking them together to enable the sharing of data. Networks are assimilated with a blend of computer software and hardware and can be categorized differently as Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs). Most organizations use LANs, whereby computers or other computing devices are connected together in a limited area creating an intranet (Tittel, 2002). One of the most used medias used to enhance LANs is the Wireless Networking, also known as the Wi-fi. According to Tittel, wireless networks use radio signals to sustain channels of communication between computers. For a computer to be connected to a Wi-fi network, it should have a wireless network controller. The computer enabled with Wi-fi within a wireless network can connect to the internet and even cover a larger access point. The advantage of Wi-fi is that cables are eliminated to ensure simple mobility. Another advantage is that LANs can be deployed at a more reduced cost making it economical for most business organizations. With the Wi-fi, it is also possible to make LANs where cables cannot go through in places like outdoor areas. Wi-fi also has disadvantages such as internet interference through lowering of internet speed when other devices are connected and data security risks due to simplicity of breaking encryption of the Wi-fi.

Another solution for organizations is the use of Bluetooth devices. Bluetooth is an open wireless technology that enhances communication between computers and other devices in a wireless network over a short distance. Bluetooth, unlike Wi-fi, create personal area networks (PANs), which have higher ranks of data security. The advantage of Bluetooth technology is that it offers a safe means of connecting and exchanging information between other devices apart from computers such as telephones, printers, faxes and mobile phones. Bluetooth also consume low power, thereby reducing low electricity costs for an organization. However, the Bluetooth poses the disadvantage of bluejacking whereby a person is able to retrieve messages or pictures from unsuspecting individuals. Bluetooth, compared to Wi-fi, makes networking slower and inadequate in variety (NA, 2000).

The Ethernet Cable is also another networking tool for organization. It uses standard cables and adapters to network computers in not only offices but also residences and schools. Commonly, Ethernet is capable of transmitting a data rate of 100 Megabytes per Second (Mbps), however the onset of Gigabit Ethernets further increased this data rate to 1000 Mbps. Due to high data transfer rates, network protocols such as internet protocol use Ethernet as their transmission medium. Another advantage of Ethernet is it requires simple installation. Ethernet also enables upgrade of network protocols and is cost effective when compared to other network media such as fibre optics. However, the Ethernet is also subject to slow data transfer rate when handling many requests and network collisions, which slow the network and can even bring down the network when they are excessive (Spurgeon, 2000).

Indeed, many network solutions can enhance communication and information dissemination in an organization. It is therefore important for an organization to embrace technology and update it with time, to enable easy sharing of data and information.

References

Bluetooth World. (2000). London: Informa Telecoms & Technology.

Spurgeon. (2000). Ethernet: The definitive guide. Cambridge, MA: O’Reilly.

Tittel. (2002). Computer networking. London: McGraw-Hill.