Featured Cisco Products: Top SMBs Solutions
Data has gradually become the lifeblood of many companies and with the proliferation of SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses, in some cases the product itself they sell. For any size of business having the right IT hardware in place is an absolute must. When it comes to selecting the right networking equipment for your SMBs, Cisco products should be at the top of your list.
Building an SMBs Network
Building a small office network has two primary benefits: connectivity & sharing information. A small office network helps provide you and your team with a way of sharing information and data in a secure manner. It drives improvements in efficiency and overall operation and is a fundamental requirement in providing access to the internet for your office.
The following guide will help you understand the fundamentals of the essential pieces of networking equipment that will help you develop a network for your small & medium businesses.
Cisco Switches
Switches connect multiple devices within the same network as well as provide access to servers within a small business network. The switch ties all of the devices of your network together for sharing information. There are many different types of Cisco switches to choose from based on your specific needs:
Unmanaged Switch
Unmanaged switches work out of the box and are often the first choice for people looking for network hardware for a small office. Unmanaged switches allow you to immediately plug-and-play devices into your network, though provide limited configuration features.
Cisco offers the Cisco Business 110 series of unmanaged switches as a good option for companies looking for simplicity and affordability. These entry-level switches offer speeds up to Gigabit Ethernet and provide plug-and-play simplicity out of the box.
Managed Switches
Managed switches provide QoS (quality of service) capabilities as well as greater control over the network. With managed switches, you should expect significantly higher costs. The price is more affected by the different features, such as performance and security in addition to the switch’s configuration abilities.
How to choose between managed and unmanaged switches? For smaller businesses that consist of a single office or freelance professional work, it is more likely you will need an unmanaged switch. If your company consists of thousands of users on the network at any one time, then managed switches are crucial.
The Cisco 350X series of stackable managed switches offer an energy-efficient solution that provides companies with many advanced features. With speeds ranging from Gigabit to 10 Gigabit Ethernet, the 350X provides an affordable means of accessing the internet at speed.
Smart Switch
Cisco Smart Switches offer networking functionality similar to managed switches, without the management complexities. These devices are often referred to as Layer 2/3 switches and provide you with control over Layer 2. If you need full control then it is best to look at a managed switch. The Cisco 250 series of smart switches offer a good combination of performance, security, and flexibility. When you need to expand your network with more advanced deployments, your Cisco Smart Switch will be ready to help.
When considering which type of Cisco switch to choose for your small or medium business, look at not just the size, but the features that you might need and the complexity of the network you have. Many of the Cisco Catalyst switches offer PoE (power over Ethernet) capabilities. One of the advantages of Cisco PoE switch is the flexibility it provides in allowing you to easily place endpoints anywhere in the business.
Cisco Routers
While switches connect devices together within a network, routers act to tie multiple networks together. This enables all the devices to access a shared internet connection which can be a significant cost saving and help to improve overall security.
Cisco routers price varies considerably depending on the requirements it needs to fulfill. The Cisco ISR 4000 series router is an excellent option for businesses looking to offer cloud services across multiple remote sites.
IT Yuda team is always here to help you with the best Cisco router that will deliver advanced security features, excellent wireless speed, and maximum coverage area.
Cisco Firewalls
Create a secure network and deploy a suitable firewall to limit access to your computer and network. Cisco Firewalls are used when it comes to preventing unauthorized access of a third party in your business network.
Firewall Cisco sets the support for integrating powerful threat prevention capabilities into your existing network infrastructure, making the network of your business a logical extension of your firewall solution.
The Cisco ASA 5500-X Series is part of the Cisco ASA group of next-generation firewalls that offers Cisco FirePOWER services and helps provide you and your team with malware protection as well as improved visibility. If you’re looking for the best firewall for your SMBs, our team at IT Yuda can help you choose your best options.
Tips for Success
There are more options in business networking equipment today than ever before. When it comes to building the perfect network for a small and midsized business, make sure that you take the following lessons to heart:
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Buy for now and the future - Invest with an understanding that you might need to scale up in the future. The right Cisco infrastructure can grow with you so that you can add new features as you need them. This allows you to start small and then incorporate things like Voice over IP (Cisco VoIP phones) and video surveillance functionality later helping you save money.
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Work smarter - The networking equipment you’re implementing and integrating is to be simple to configure, install and manage. Do not spend time away from your business trying to set up your network. IT hardware should suit your needs and not the other way around. To that end, look for equipment that offers inline power, so you don’t need to rewire your office environment.
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Business is best - While the upfront cost is slightly higher, the investment in business-grade equipment is well worth it. Home networking products are not built to the same standard and will not offer the same capabilities that you and your business need.
- Cost - Consider the overall costs, including if it might be cheaper to install a new system rather than upgrade the existing components.