These days, you need to be connected to an IT framework that has ALL the parts and systems required for a business to not only “get by,” but to thrive. This is where Cisco’s amazing product line can help you. With it, you can experience the kind of Cisco networking Los Angeles companies like yours can truly thrive and grow on!
But, don’t just take our word for it – read all about how a Cisco network, configured by networking pros like LA Networks, can help you surge ahead of your competitors and grow by leaps and bounds:
Cisco Networking in Los Angeles Begins with the Basics
When looking at networking basics, understanding how a network operates is the first step to understanding routing, switching, and wireless. The network operates by connecting computers and peripherals using switches, routers, and access points. These devices are the essential networking basics that allow the various pieces of equipment connected to your network to communicate with one another, as well as with other networks.
Routers, switches, and access points perform very different functions in a network.
Networking Basics: Switches
- Switches are used to connect multiple devices on the same network within a building or campus. For example, a switch can connect your computers, printers, and servers, creating a network of shared resources. The switch, one aspect of your networking basics, would serve as a controller, allowing the various devices to share information and talk to each other. Through information sharing and resource allocation, switches save you money and increase productivity.
- An unmanaged switch works out of the box and does not allow you to make changes. Home networking equipment typically includes unmanaged switches.
- A managed switch can be accessed and programmed. This capability provides greater network flexibility because the switch can be monitored and adjusted locally or remotely. With a managed switch, you have control over network traffic and network access.
- There are two basic types of switches to choose from as part of your networking basics: managed and unmanaged.
Networking Basics: Routers
- Routers, the second valuable component of your networking basics, are used to connect multiple networks together. For example, you would use a router to connect your networked computers to the Internet and thereby share an Internet connection among many users. The router will act as a dispatcher, choosing the best route for your information to travel so that you receive it quickly.
- Routers analyze the data being sent over a network, change how it is packaged, and send it to another network or to a different type of network. They connect your business to the outside world, protect your information from security threats, and can even decide which computers get priority over others.
Depending on your business and your networking plans, you can choose from routers that include different capabilities. These can include networking basics such as:- Firewall: Specialized software that examines incoming data and protects your business network against attacks.
- Virtual private network (VPN): A way to allow remote employees to safely access your network.
- IP phone network Combines your company’s computer and a telephone network, using voice and conferencing technology, to simplify and unify your communications.
Networking Basics: Access Points
- An access point allows wireless devices to connect to the network. Having a wireless network makes it easy to bring new devices online and provides flexible support to mobile workers. Think of what an access point does for your network as being similar to what an amplifier does for your home stereo. An access point takes the bandwidth coming from a router and stretches it so that many devices can go on the network from farther distances away. But an access point does more than simply extend WiFi. It can also give useful data about the devices on the network, provide proactive security, and serve many other practical purposes.
Access points support different IEEE standards. Each standard is an amendment that was ratified over time, and the standards operate on varying frequencies, deliver different bandwidth, and support different numbers of channels.
There are four different types of deployments that an organization can choose from to create a wireless network. Each deployment has its own attributes that will work better for different solutions. They are:
- Cisco Mobility Express: A simple, high-performance wireless solution for small or medium-sized organizations. Mobility Express has the full complement of advanced Cisco features. These features are preconfigured with Cisco best practices. The defaults allow for a quick and effortless deployment that can be operational in minutes.
- Centralized deployment: The most common type of wireless network, traditionally deployed in campuses where buildings and networks are in close proximity. This deployment consolidates the wireless network, allowing for easier upgrades and enabling advanced wireless functionality. Controllers are based on-premises and are installed in a centralized location.
- Converged deployment: A solution tailored for small campuses or branch offices. It allows customers consistency in their wireless and wired connections. This deployment converges wired and wireless on one network device—an access switch—and performs the dual role of both switch and wireless controller.
- Cloud-based deployment: A system that uses the cloud to manage network devices deployed on-premises at different locations. The solution requires Cisco Meraki cloud-managed devices, which have full visibility of the network through their dashboards.
Routers and Switches: Facilitating Your Cisco Networking in Los Angeles
Routers and switches are the building blocks for all business communications from data to voice and video to wireless access. They can improve a company’s bottom line by enabling your company to increase productivity, cut business costs, improve security, and enhance customer service.
Specifically, Cisco routers and switches support your networking capabilities via:
Sharing applications
- Provide staff access to business applications
- Improve employee productivity
Using routing and switching technologies allows your staff, even those located in different locations, to have equal access to all your business applications, information, and tools. Keeping everyone connected to the same tools can increase employee productivity. Routing and switching also can provide access to advanced applications and enable services such as IP voice, video conferencing and wireless networks.
Speeding access to information
- Manage information more efficiently
- Review what is happening across your business
Accurate, timely information is essential for making prudent business decisions. Routing and switching provide access to allow great visibility into real-time business information and provides a sound basis for effective decision-making.
Enhancing customer service
- Provide ready access to customer information
- Improve customer responsiveness
Today’s customers expect rapid responses and personalized services whenever they’re dealing with your business, either by phone, email or on a website. A responsive, reliable small business network is an absolute necessity to give your employees speedy access to customer information and enable them to respond rapidly and intelligently to resolve customer issues and concerns.
Reducing operating costs
- Share office equipment for reduced costs
- Provide high-speed Internet access
Routing and switching technologies can make a positive impact on your bottom line. You save expenses by sharing equipment, such as printers and servers, and services, such as Internet access. Reliable Cisco networking in Los Angeles can also grow with your business, keeping you from having to replace it as your needs grow.
Improving security
- Reduce risk
- Protect valuable business information
Because high-speed Internet connections are always on, you may be vulnerable to security threats. Viruses, spyware, Internet attacks, e-mail assaults, and other security concerns are real dangers. By installing a Los Angeles Cisco networking solution with switches and routers, you can protect valuable business data. For example, routers can protect your network with a built-in firewall and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) – specialized software that examines incoming data and protects against attacks.
Cisco Networking in Los Angeles Enables Remote Connections
- Provide secure remote access for mobile workers
- Get work done from anywhere
Globalization has changed the way we work. Virtual teams, mobile workers, and home-based telecommuters all need to share information at any time. Modern businesses need networks that can connect employees, suppliers, partners, and customers regardless of location, whether they are across town or halfway around the globe. With remote connectivity through a VPN, employees can securely access company resources and tools and work more productively.
Cisco Networking for Los Angeles Stadium WiFi
Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi is a high-density WiFi solution for sports and entertainment; it’s also a turnkey combination of Cisco’s leading wireless networking technologies, specialized software and professional services optimized for stadiums and arenas where large crowds are gathered.
Solving the challenges of insufficient wireless connectivity inside crowded venues, it extends real-time, reliable access to applications and services on mobile devices simultaneously to tens of thousands of sports fans. It addresses service provider needs to offload 3G/4G data traffic to more scalable WiFi solutions for stadiums while enabling sports clubs, leagues and entertainment operators with increased revenue options the creation of more engaging mobile applications to enhance sports fans’ experiences.
More Reasons to Choose Cisco Networking in Los Angeles
Here are more ways a local partner in Los Angeles Cisco networking like LA Networks can best serve you:
Cutting Costs
Cisco understands that the collaboration needs of customers vary across organizations and they depend on individual workers’ collaboration requirements. As such, Cisco (via Cisco networking specialists in Los Angeles like LA Networks) offers flexible licensing options to meet those varying needs. Each Cisco license includes soft clients, applications server software, and collaboration licensing on a per-user basis.
Cisco Technical Support – For urgent situations, you can call the appropriate number for your location from the worldwide contact list (LA Networks acts as your local Cisco point of contact).
Where Do I Find Specialists in Cisco Networking in Los Angeles?
Look no further than LA Networks – we can help you attain maximum IT performance levels as well as optimum monitoring speed and accuracy with Cisco GOLD. Our team of Cisco specialists makes sure your server and data center is able to thwart all anomalies and works at an optimum performance level 24/7!
We can answer any further questions you may have pertaining to Cisco Networking in Southern California. Contact us today for more information at (818) 333-4880 or email us at info@la-networks.com to get started with the best Cisco Networking in Los Angeles available!