| As their IT consultant, your small business | | | | Wireless Ethernet Based on 802.11b (11Mbps) |
| prospects and clients will need you to | | | | |
| explain the different network cabling options | | | | 802.11b wireless is also a relatively mature |
| available to them. | | | | standard that provides up to 11Mbps Ethernet |
| | | | service. Although wireless networking |
| Traditional Wired Ethernet (Category 5) | | | | hardware is more expensive than comparable |
| | | | wired Ethernet equipment, your clients will |
| Until very recently, Category 5 data cabling | | | | save on the installation costs of Category 5 |
| was the de facto standard for both enterprise | | | | data network cabling. |
| and small business LANs. Today, you'll find | | | | |
| some enhancements available to Category 5 | | | | It could very well be break-even cost-wise |
| cabling, as well as booming interest in | | | | and there's no need to drill holes in your |
| wireless Ethernet solutions. | | | | clients' office walls or in the baseboard. |
| | | | |
| If your computer consulting firm won't be | | | | Drawbacks to Wireless Ethernet |
| installing Category 5 network cabling for | | | | |
| your small business clients' networks, get an | | | | First, since the standards between different |
| estimate from a local data cabling vendor | | | | 802.11b-compatibile products are still |
| that can install certified cabling runs to | | | | relatively new, you can sometimes experience |
| each office or desk. | | | | great difficulty in trying to connect 802.11b |
| | | | products from different vendors. If possible, |
| Ensure the Network Cabling Job is Completed | | | | stick with the same 802.11b hardware vendor |
| "To Spec" | | | | across the board. |
| | | | |
| Most reputable Category 5 cable installers | | | | Second, security standards are still |
| will be able to provide you with hard copy | | | | evolving. The wireless encryption protocol |
| reports of Category 5 certification tests, | | | | (WEP) that 802.11b products use is widely |
| your assurance that the job was completed "to | | | | known to be "easily" hack-able. Just be sure |
| spec" -- making for a much more reliable | | | | that your clients are aware of the security |
| networking experience. | | | | limitations before they commit to wireless |
| | | | Ethernet. |
| The Ethernet Hub and Network Card | | | | |
| | | | The Bottom Line About Network Cabling |
| To string together a traditional wired | | | | |
| Ethernet network based on Category 5 network | | | | Even if your computer consulting firm doesn't |
| cabling, your clients will simply need to | | | | handle Category 5 and other kinds of network |
| purchase a 10/100Mbps Ethernet hub or switch, | | | | cabling work, you need to be involved in the |
| and a 10/100Mbps network card for each PC. | | | | design specifications and supervision of |
| | | | network cabling. For assistance working with |
| These are very mature, inexpensive products | | | | data cabling companies, see Partnering with |
| and great for creating inexpensive, high | | | | Other Computer Consultants and |
| performance small business networks. | | | | Subcontracting Success both available for |
| | | | immediate download. |