Diagknows loves connecting things together! We get a buzz out of making our clients talk to the outside world, helping them get in securely from the outside world then share, print and collaborate with each other in the office. To do this we need networking kit, cables and wireless technology.

To let the outside world talk to your office safely we recommend DrayTek routers, they really are the bee’s knees. They are great value and offer literally everything a small business needs to connect to the Internet. So they include:

• firewall (the windows and doors of the network – keep everything closed unless you need it open)
• VPN (lets you access your office documents safely from anywhere)
• port forwarding (makes sure your server can talk to other servers)
• ADSL/VDSL modem (to connect your broadband)
• lots more beside

Network switches are where all those pesky network cables end up, and your main choice here is whether you need PoE (Power over Ethernet) ports or not. If you have or intend to implement VoIP phones then PoE ports are necessary otherwise the Network Switches are cheaper (and less complex) without.

Wireless; now let’s be clear about something right away… Diagknows will never advise putting your server or any critical workstation on wireless, however Wi-Fi has improved a lot and Diagknows implements Wi-Fi in complex environments regularly, making use of industry standard WAPs (wireless access points) to provide the most stable coverage possible.