Internet Bandwidth Options

Reliable, high-bandwidth Internet connectivity used to be a “nice to have”, but this is quickly changing. Traditionally, office based computer users accessed shared computing resources via a local area network (LAN). Internet outages and slowdowns would disrupt web browsing and e-mail but work could continue because a LAN centric computer network didn’t require an Internet connection to provide users access to resources such as file sharing, print sharing and database access. The only people that were completely shut down by a disruption were remote workers.

Over time, businesses have come to rely more and more on their connection to the Internet. That reliance is accelerating with the advent of cloud computing. Broadly, cloud computing is using the Internet to deliver computing services such as e-mail and CRM. I’ve written about cloud computing before, you can read more about the benefits of cloud computing by clicking here.

Over the next few years it’s expected that businesses will migrate their LAN centric computer networks to a cloud-based computing environment. In a cloud-based computing environment every worker is a remote worker that’s completely dependent upon the organization’s Internet connection for access to corporate computing resources. This dependence really elevates the importance of the quality of the Internet connection. In addition to being reliable and fast, the connection really should have some redundancy built into the design.

At Endsight, we’ve been working with our clients to help them plan for this transition as part of our “all-inclusive” outsourced IT support program. Typically, we employ a design that includes hardware from SonicWALL and two Internet connections from competing Internet service providers (ISP)’s.

The hardware design and integration is fairly straightforward but selecting the right mix of ISPs isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of options each with its own cost / performance tradeoffs. I thought I’d try to summarize the available options. I’ve also linked to Wikipedia descriptions of each option if you’d like more detail.

Telecom options include DSL, T-1, & MPLS connections. Basically, these options leverage the phone company’s (mostly AT&T) telephone infrastructure. These solutions are tried and true and include service level assurances. You can purchase these options from a variety of providers and resellers. If this option makes sense, it’s important to work with a provider that will offer more support than simply providing a 1-800 number.

WiMax or fixed wireless broadband internet is becoming more and more popular. Instead of providing a connection using wires, this option uses fixed wireless antennas that are installed on the roof of a building. These antennas point to other antennas that terminate a connection into the public internet. This option offers high speeds at an economical cost. Its key limitation is that to work the antenna must have a line of site to the terminating point. This can sometimes be a real challenge.

Fiber-optic communication uses pulses of light transmitted through optical fiber. It is extremely fast and when compared to many other options, its cost / throughput is really economical. The main drawback is that the optical fiber required to transmit a signal is kind of scarce. If your business is in a metro area such as San Francisco or Oakland then your building may be “lit” meaning a fiber connection may already be available in your location. If not, then to take advantage of this technology the Telecom Company or ISP will have to deploy optical fiber and that could be prohibitively expensive. To find out if your building is “lit” send me an email and I’ll be glad to put you in contact with a partner that can help you.

Cable internet access uses the same infrastructure that is used to deliver cable television. It also offers high speed / high throughput internet access for an economical cost. As with fiber-optic communication, cable is dependent upon availability. In addition, cable is less reliable then some of the other options out there. This is less of an issue if there is a redundant connection from a Telecom or one of the other providers.

As I said, this is only a summary of some of the options. There is a lot more to this. If you feel like a deeper dive into your options might be helpful, please feel free to connect with us at Endsight. We included IT Strategy and part of our fixed fee outsourced IT service

Not all outsourced IT options are the same

I thought the linked article below was interesting because it draws attention to the fact that not all cloud computing environments are the same.

http://infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/the-rise-and-risk-the-composite-clouds-954?source=rss_infoworld_top_stories_

In fact, as the author (David Linthicum)  illustrates it is becoming more and more common for a provider to cobble together several different cloud computing environments to provide the customer a complete solution.

On the surface it’s not a bad idea, many of the business books that I’ve read support the notion that outsourcing non-core functions can free up people time and money that can be refocused on activities that contribute to an organization’s competitive advantage.

But it overlooks a fundamental risk. Outsourcing an application to a cloud operator cedes control. If the operator in-turn outsources part of the required infrastructure, it will also cedes some of its control. The net result is multiple points for performance issues and the potential for lots of finger pointing.

Outsourced IT doesn’t have the hype of Cloud Computing right now, but just like the cloud computing vendors in this article, many of the local outsourced IT providers in the Bay Area have sought out partnerships that allow them to offload functions such as help desk or routine server maintenance to other outsourced firms. Sometimes they even send the work off-shore to India or the Philippines.

And just like the cloud operators in this article, they are also creating multiple points in their delivery model that are ripe for error. It’s not a question of ability or capabilities; it’s a flaw in the delivery model that’s best illustrated by the saying, “Too many cooks in the kitchen.”

A leveraged approach forfeits one of the key benefits of an outsourced IT firm, namely is its ability to aggregate services such as help desk & network operations and then to take on sole responsibility for providing those services . Having complete control of the people, process and delivery technology eliminates the potential for finger pointing between software vendors, integrators and technology partners.

If an outsourced IT firm “partners” to provide reactive support, that means that some other firm has ultimate control over service delivery and it opens the door wide open to confusion and finger pointing. That’s why Endsight chose to keep help desk and network operations in-house. Its core to what we provide and it’s what our clients count on us to do for them.

The disposition of an Outsourced IT firm’s service organization is only one of the criteria that should be considered when evaluating a partner. I’ve included a link to a good article that list 14 questions to ask a potential technology partner.

http://www.managedservicesdirectory.com/information-technology-outsourcing/14-questions-to-ask-a-potential-technology-partner/

If you’re considering your options for computer system support, we’d very much like to hear from you. The best way to evaluate Endsight would be to set up an on-site visit. To set up an appointment click here.

Outlook is not bright

One reader is locked out of a brand-new copy of Microsoft Office. Will the folks in Redmond help him?

Microsoft wants its customers to believe that installing software is as simple as loading a disc into the CD drive and clicking okay.  Sometimes it’s that easy, and sometimes it’s not.  When it’s not that easy, what are customers supposed to do?

About Jason:

Don’t Be Afraid, Be Prepared

Over the course of a year, we meet with hundreds of small business owners and executives and the issue of network security is one of the most confusing and daunting for nearly all.

While many businesses have a healthy fear of network breaches, far more concerning are those who believe they are “below the radar.” We often hear statements such as “Nobody would want to steal my data” or “We’ve never been attacked before.” Unfortunately, it’s not just high profile businesses that are attacked.

What most executives don’t realize is that most of the time, no one is interested in actual data. There are many other reasons why networks get exploited. By understanding these reasons, it becomes inherently clear that any company relying on its computer network needs a basic level of security.

As mentioned previously, theft is a primary motivator for security breaches. But, it’s not the data being stolen. If your systems are not properly protected a hacker can install a program called a Key Stroke Logger (KSL). This software tracks every key stroke typed on an infected machine. The hacker can determine usernames and passwords, not only to your network but also to any website you visit - including your bank. (As it turns out, it is a lot easier to hack your computer than your bank!) Using KSL software, a hacker can access your accounts and steal your identity. Small business owners are left worrying not only about their personal and corporate accounts, but also about lawsuits from employees affected by negligent security.

Other network attacks are the result of ill will harvested in the process of running your business. It’s not
uncommon to see a scorned employee, irritated vendor, or angry customer retaliate in the form of a ‘hack.’ Indeed, the software used to attack networks is freely available on the internet and anyone with reasonable computer skills and time can take advantage of an improperly managed network.

Finally, boredom is a prime motivator of hackers. Many are computer savvy kids who feel a great sense of power by taking control of a stranger’s network. The hacker specifically targets an improperly secured network, runs a basic attack and takes control. With the keys to the kingdom, the hacker may engage in anything from an elaborate prank to the illegal hosting of pirated movies, pictures and music. For the unfortunate business owner, it all adds up to downtime, data loss and potential embarrassment.

If you think your company may not be taking appropriate precautionkey stroke logger,kls,s with network security, chances are you’re right. Consider outsourcing your IT management to a company that can administer the network using industry best practices; however, if your philosophy is to handle these issues internally there are resources that can help. ICSA is a third party organization that evaluates and certifies all internet security products. It is an excellent resource for deciding which solution is most appropriate for your network.

After all, education is the key to preventing network security breaches.