The final words from a recent blog post led me to determine a business network's common point of failure. We're heading into the VoIP era and plunging feet-first into having the traditional PSTN/ISDN networks disconnected forever ...
The most central of all devices that will cause the widest impact if a failure occurs is your humble broadband router
I want your business to run smoothly. Now, more than ever, technology professionals need to be upfront and straightforward when upgrading a company to a modern system. As far as VoIP/SIP technology is concerned, selecting the right solution from over 100 choices means that the person selling or demonstrating it to you must, on all accounts, be ethical and honest about their chosen product.
It should fit your business like a tailored silk glove!
So, when considering what hardware is at the top of your critical list, you should also consider what is, and is not, under the control of a) you as a client and b) we as the supply chain. I have developed my own suggestions for planning a network and preparing for disaster recovery.
From the viewpoint of what is controllable, in my professional opinion, I believe that the most central of all devices that will cause the widest impact if a failure occurs is your humble broadband router.
As a generalisation, the router is the central device that performs up to four critical tasks:
The device takes the incoming feed from the broadband (WAN side).
It is also the interface that (under normal circumstances and for most SME-size businesses) distributes the internal IP addresses (DHCP) for every single device on the network (LAN side)
The router can be your firewall, which aids in the blocking of those all-intensive cyber-attacks
And finally, the router is also the device that has the Wi-Fi radio architecture built into it. If this single device fails, your business will grind to a halt.
Obviously, there are many other points of failure, such as if there is an internet outage, but that is beyond your control as a business or our control as resellers in the supply chain.
Even if you are contracted directly with a supplier such as BTNet, your point of contact will have no control over the engineers who repair the network side. Of course, internal switches can fail, but as there is usually no fancy programming for most businesses, your technology partner should be able to quickly replace them, and your hard-wired network is back up and running in no time.
As I said, this is a generalist and highly simplified explanation!
The router you purchase should always be a high-quality, business-grade product, not a cheap domestic one, as it is likely the most essential piece of hardware in your business right now. Remember, companies must have completed the move to VoIP networks by December 2025, as stated by Openreach, the part of BT PLC that owns and operates our legacy copper network.
Now would be a great time to discuss making the move with me.
Until next time ... PRITESH GANATRA Your technology problem solver
Would you like to know more?
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more about your business network and how you can make it more resilient, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01604 926100 or take a look at my website which you can find by clicking here.
The word 'Technology' has too many connotations in today's world! Where do we start? Simple terms like 'IT' and 'Telecoms'? or terms that appear NOT to have an actual meaning at all!, e.g. 'Internet of Things (IoT). Technology also encompasses specialist products and services like 'Rugged' and 'Tough' android devices, Lone Worker Software, panic alarm devices, smart energy devices, low energy lighting, credit card terminal (PCI DSS) security, indoor/ outdoor Wi-Fi systems, Ultrafast Gigabit internet connectivity, access control systems, industrial IoT circuit controllers.
BTS UK can consult from simple solutions to the most complex, provide some of the products through a wholesale channel, bring together a multi-disciplined 'Task Force' to deliver and implement complete Technology 'projects'.
I am your technology problem solver and I look forward to helping you.
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