The wireless SMB workplace
Wireless technology is quickly becoming integral to the ability of SMBs to provide remote access to enterprise networks both from outside and inside the office. Employees on the go increasingly need anytime-anywhere access to the Internet, while those who are office-bound often want to take their notebooks into conference rooms or other areas where wired access is inconvenient or unavailable.
While WiFi hotspots such as the local Starbucks can solve the anytime-anywhere access dilemma, even that ubiquitous chain isn't always convenient. WiMax, a wireless technology that uses radio networks to enable low-cost Internet access across an area the size of a city, offers one potential solution.
In a number of metro areas, such as Philadelphia, and rural communities, like Chaska, Minn., local governments are moving to offer community-wide wireless access at a low cost. Industry observers say the technology could displace DSL and cable modems among SMBs and consumers, especially in rural areas. But skeptics say WiMax growth in the United States could be hindered by the lack of suitable airwaves, broadband's wide availability and politics over who should provide it. Network administrators in the SMB arena are well advised to familiarize themselves with the technical and political issues surrounding WiMax in that it could be a viable solution for both expanding access and cutting costs.
Within the office, wireless LANs (WLANs) have emerged as a powerful adjunct to the wired network, and in some cases may have replaced it. In fact, security concerns notwithstanding, the SMB market is expected to drive a three-fold increase in WLAN equipment sales by 2009, according to Datacomm Research.
But as users become accustomed to accessing the network from wherever they choose to plop down, ensuring a strong WiFi signal becomes a major challenge for network administrators. In most cases, the WLAN started out as a spontaneous, grassroots convenience, but has evolved into an office necessity, and users are unhappy when they can't stay connected -- or connect at all. That's when it's time to strengthen your WiFi signal; the article "Accidental IT: Boosting your WiFi signal" outlines how to do it in a few easy steps.
The move toward wireless among SMBs has not gone unnoticed by vendors, and several have recently announced laptop packages featuring easy wireless set-ups and enhanced security for mobile workers. Most recently, IBM and Cisco have teamed up to provide the Secure Wireless Networking Solution, a bundled package including IBM ThinkPads, connectivity software and printers bundled with Cisco wireless networking gear.