Networks are a reality that all businesses have to face; unfortunately upgrading your system is another reality. Upgrading a network has never been particularly easy, and it can become even harder when both the cables and the hardware itself needs to be replaced. The question remains however, as to when you need to replace the entire system, and what you need to do with the old hardware. This is definitely a good question, so let’s talk a bit about network upgrades shall we?

The best thing you can do when it comes to determining a time is to take a look at the different technologies that are being released. You need to examine each new technology carefully and then ask yourself a series of questions regarding your current networking equipment. The first thing that you should ask yourself is whether or not you need the new equipment.

Take a look at the new features. Can your current hardware do something similar? Will these new features actually benefit you and your business? For instance, the new generation of network routers might have better security, but the question is whether or not you can do a simple firmware upgrade to achieve that level of security by yourself.

In addition to that, you will need to look at cable technology. Network cables started at coaxial, and they have slowly moved to twisted pair and fiber optic. One of the most recent additions to the cable family is the category six cable which is more suited to businesses than it is to individuals. Because cable is run throughout an entire building, it becomes an upgrade of necessity rather than something you would do on a whim.

If a single piece or multiple pieces of your networking equipment fails and you have no viable backup, it might be a good idea to order further replacements to ensure that it doesn’t affect the smooth running of your business. This could include a next generation router, but you need to determine whether or not it is compatible with your current equipment. This will require a great deal of research and patience before you can truly make a determination simply because if you place an incompatible piece of equipment into your network you could suffer from some rather serious issues, and it might actually take you some time to track it down. In some cases the issues might not even start right away and could take weeks or even months to fully emerge.

Deciding when and to what extent to replace your network equipment is never going to be an easy task in any case, but you can at least take your best guess. Remember not to wait too long, because if you do, you may find yourself sitting on a legacy network ordering parts from Ebay. That is never a good situation, and if you remember, that’s exactly what happened to NASA back in the day. That being said, keep up with technology, keep an eye on your network, and make sure there is adequate funding to replace your setup when the time comes.

Author Bio: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For information on Network Infrastructure Services, he recommends Network 24.

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: Network Upgrade,Office Network,Network Installation,Network Cables,Network Installation Services