What is a workstation?
Workstation is another word for the computer on your desk or your employee’s desk at work. It is typically connected to a local area network (LAN).
What should I know before purchasing a computer/workstation for my business?
It is important to understand there is a difference between a computer designed for home use and a computer designed for business use. Computers intended for home use are designed to run about 15 hours a week. Computers intended for business use are designed to run 40+ hours a week. Thus, there is a different standard of quality in the components used in the computers. There is also a difference in the version of an operating system intended for home versus business. In many cases, the features needed for business, such as connectivity to a server do not exist or are limited when using a home operating system. Also many business applications do not support the home version. Businesses that purchase home systems and then pay to upgrade the operating system to a business version, often spend more money than if they had purchased a business grade computer/workstation in the first place.
What is a server?
A server is a computer that provides shared resources to end users. Shared resources may include, but are not limited to, sharing files, printers or applications such as email or accounting software. A server runs an operating system designed to manage sharing of resources and normally provides security that controls who uses the shared resources.
What do I need to know before purchasing a server for my business?
Most business people do not set out with a goal of spending money on a server. They need solutions to their business problems. For example, billing, payroll, inventory control, sales and so on. Frequently part of the solution includes finding the right software. Normally, application companies provide specific requirements for the server and workstations and printers needed to successfully use their software. Knowing these requirements before you purchase will save you money.
How does a server differ from a workstation?
The workstation is intended to be used on a daily basis to perform job functions that may include, but, are not exclusive to, word processing, invoicing, email or for Internet access. A server is intended to provide shared resources to workstations. Shared resources may include data, applications or other network devices such as printers.
Can I buy a workstation from a retail or discount store?
Some retail stores do carry business grade equipment. You should always ask if the computer or workstation is intended for use in a business environment. If the computer has a "Home Edition" of the operating system installed, it is not designed for business use.
What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?
A local area network (LAN) is one or more personal computers connected together in a given area (i.e. an office) for sharing resources (i.e. a printer) or exchanging data. The defining characteristics of LANs include their usually higher data-transfer rates, smaller geographic place, and lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines. A t minimum, a LAN is normally comprised of one or more workstations, a printer and a switch. Most frequently a LAN also includes a server and some form of Internet access. As with all computer systems, a backup solution and security software is recommended.
How do I know what type of LAN I need?
To a large degree the LAN requirements are determined by the software used at a company. Most software companies can provide network specifications. These specifications, coupled with the needs of your users, will be the guide for choosing new hardware or reusing existing hardware.
What is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?
A wide area network (WAN) is a number of computers or LAN’s, spread over a broad geographic area, connected together to share equipment or exchange data. WANs are used to connect LANs and other types of networks together, so users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations. The defining characteristics of WANs include multiple locations, a larger geographic area and the need for telecommunication lines to connect the locations together. A WAN normally consists of routers/firewalls, switches, computers or workstations and servers. As with all computer systems, a backup solution and security software is recommended.
What is the difference between home grade and business grade equipment?
Home grade and business grade equipment are just what the names imply. One is designed for the home user that is doing things such as checking personal email, searching for recipes online, uploading pictures and downloading digital music. The business grade equipment is designed specifically for today's hectic work environment. Home grade equipment is normally designed to run about 15 hours a week while business grade equipment is designed to run 40+ hours per week. This design difference requires a higher standard of quality in the components used in business grade equipment. In addition the operating system used at home does not include all the features needed at work. Many business software applications require a business grade operating system. There is also a difference in the level of service needed in the event of a hardware problem. While a home user may not want to wait 2-4 weeks for their computer to repaired, they are probably not losing money because the computer is in the shop. A business cannot be without their computers for days, much less weeks. As a result it is important to deal with a company that understands the difference in the level o f service you require.
What is an Operating System (OS)?
The operating system allows all the hardware and software components in a computer to work together to produce the desired result. In a simplified description, when you tell your software to print, the operating system translates the instruction to print from the software, passes it to the processor , on to the printer port, then to the printer and you receive your document. Because the operating system controls so much of the end user experience it is important to choose the right one for your needs.
What should I know before choosing an operating system?
Businesses are normally choosing the software they need to solve a particular problem, such as, payroll or inventory control. Because application companies develop their software to run in certain operating systems environments, it is critical to choose an operating system the software provider supports.
Should I consider an online backup solution, if I already have a tape drive?
An online backup solution can add a layer of protection to your emergency or disaster recovery plan. If considering an online backup solution you should take the following things into consideration. Most online backup companies charge for the total amount of data stored on their system each month so be clear about your monthly cost. How are they protecting the data located at their site? What happens to your data if their systems fail or their facility is destroyed? Will you be trained on how to restore your data if you need to do so?
What is fault tolerance and why do I need it for my network?
Fault-tolerance is a design practice that enables a computer system or network to continue operation when some part of the system fails. This will allow your network or computer to continue to operate, possibly at a reduced level rather than failing completely, until a repair can be implemented. As much as today’s workplace depends on technology, it is a good safety measure to determine what level of fault tolerance your business needs. The question is what does it cost your business per hour if your computer or network is down? That answer will help guide you in determining how much money should be spent on fault tolerant solutions.
Workstation is another word for the computer on your desk or your employee’s desk at work. It is typically connected to a local area network (LAN).
What should I know before purchasing a computer/workstation for my business?
It is important to understand there is a difference between a computer designed for home use and a computer designed for business use. Computers intended for home use are designed to run about 15 hours a week. Computers intended for business use are designed to run 40+ hours a week. Thus, there is a different standard of quality in the components used in the computers. There is also a difference in the version of an operating system intended for home versus business. In many cases, the features needed for business, such as connectivity to a server do not exist or are limited when using a home operating system. Also many business applications do not support the home version. Businesses that purchase home systems and then pay to upgrade the operating system to a business version, often spend more money than if they had purchased a business grade computer/workstation in the first place.
What is a server?
A server is a computer that provides shared resources to end users. Shared resources may include, but are not limited to, sharing files, printers or applications such as email or accounting software. A server runs an operating system designed to manage sharing of resources and normally provides security that controls who uses the shared resources.
What do I need to know before purchasing a server for my business?
Most business people do not set out with a goal of spending money on a server. They need solutions to their business problems. For example, billing, payroll, inventory control, sales and so on. Frequently part of the solution includes finding the right software. Normally, application companies provide specific requirements for the server and workstations and printers needed to successfully use their software. Knowing these requirements before you purchase will save you money.
How does a server differ from a workstation?
The workstation is intended to be used on a daily basis to perform job functions that may include, but, are not exclusive to, word processing, invoicing, email or for Internet access. A server is intended to provide shared resources to workstations. Shared resources may include data, applications or other network devices such as printers.
Can I buy a workstation from a retail or discount store?
Some retail stores do carry business grade equipment. You should always ask if the computer or workstation is intended for use in a business environment. If the computer has a "Home Edition" of the operating system installed, it is not designed for business use.
What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?
A local area network (LAN) is one or more personal computers connected together in a given area (i.e. an office) for sharing resources (i.e. a printer) or exchanging data. The defining characteristics of LANs include their usually higher data-transfer rates, smaller geographic place, and lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines. A t minimum, a LAN is normally comprised of one or more workstations, a printer and a switch. Most frequently a LAN also includes a server and some form of Internet access. As with all computer systems, a backup solution and security software is recommended.
How do I know what type of LAN I need?
To a large degree the LAN requirements are determined by the software used at a company. Most software companies can provide network specifications. These specifications, coupled with the needs of your users, will be the guide for choosing new hardware or reusing existing hardware.
What is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?
A wide area network (WAN) is a number of computers or LAN’s, spread over a broad geographic area, connected together to share equipment or exchange data. WANs are used to connect LANs and other types of networks together, so users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations. The defining characteristics of WANs include multiple locations, a larger geographic area and the need for telecommunication lines to connect the locations together. A WAN normally consists of routers/firewalls, switches, computers or workstations and servers. As with all computer systems, a backup solution and security software is recommended.
What is the difference between home grade and business grade equipment?
Home grade and business grade equipment are just what the names imply. One is designed for the home user that is doing things such as checking personal email, searching for recipes online, uploading pictures and downloading digital music. The business grade equipment is designed specifically for today's hectic work environment. Home grade equipment is normally designed to run about 15 hours a week while business grade equipment is designed to run 40+ hours per week. This design difference requires a higher standard of quality in the components used in business grade equipment. In addition the operating system used at home does not include all the features needed at work. Many business software applications require a business grade operating system. There is also a difference in the level of service needed in the event of a hardware problem. While a home user may not want to wait 2-4 weeks for their computer to repaired, they are probably not losing money because the computer is in the shop. A business cannot be without their computers for days, much less weeks. As a result it is important to deal with a company that understands the difference in the level o f service you require.
What is an Operating System (OS)?
The operating system allows all the hardware and software components in a computer to work together to produce the desired result. In a simplified description, when you tell your software to print, the operating system translates the instruction to print from the software, passes it to the processor , on to the printer port, then to the printer and you receive your document. Because the operating system controls so much of the end user experience it is important to choose the right one for your needs.
What should I know before choosing an operating system?
Businesses are normally choosing the software they need to solve a particular problem, such as, payroll or inventory control. Because application companies develop their software to run in certain operating systems environments, it is critical to choose an operating system the software provider supports.
Should I consider an online backup solution, if I already have a tape drive?
An online backup solution can add a layer of protection to your emergency or disaster recovery plan. If considering an online backup solution you should take the following things into consideration. Most online backup companies charge for the total amount of data stored on their system each month so be clear about your monthly cost. How are they protecting the data located at their site? What happens to your data if their systems fail or their facility is destroyed? Will you be trained on how to restore your data if you need to do so?
What is fault tolerance and why do I need it for my network?
Fault-tolerance is a design practice that enables a computer system or network to continue operation when some part of the system fails. This will allow your network or computer to continue to operate, possibly at a reduced level rather than failing completely, until a repair can be implemented. As much as today’s workplace depends on technology, it is a good safety measure to determine what level of fault tolerance your business needs. The question is what does it cost your business per hour if your computer or network is down? That answer will help guide you in determining how much money should be spent on fault tolerant solutions.
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