Optimal IT Infrastructure for a Small Business

Posted by Onsiteris on June 24th, 2019

If you’re a freelancer and your business is growing, you can't just clone your workstation to make more of what you already have. You need to build an IT infrastructure that can sustain your growth. Choosing the right technology for a small business can be quite a challenge, but you don’t have to go it alone in Atlanta. Managed IT services are just a phone call away. If you do decide to try to work through the initial setup, here are some tips.

Network

First, you’ll need to connect all your computers to a network. That’s required so they can at least access the Internet. Routers usually have five Ethernet ports for an internal network, or Local Area Network (LAN), so you’ll just need cables and no extra equipment if you have five computers or fewer. Otherwise, you'll need Ethernet switches to increase the number of connected network nodes. Switches are quite affordable, so it’s recommended not to choose the cheapest ones, but rather some well-known and reliable brand. Managed switches are more expensive, but you won’t need them unless you want larger networks.

Besides the Internet connection, you may need the network for internal communication among the computers. If you have intensive data exchange, it’s highly recommended to route it internally, rather than via the Internet. And that's where you’ll need a server.

Server

Servers can perform numerous functions: file storage, database management, back-end for business applications, domain directory, printer spooling, etc. Theoretically, it's possible to use a single workstation for all those functions, but operating that computer for anything else would be hard since it’s busy with server tasks.

Another consideration is security. Servers usually store important data and any user activityperformed directly on the computer might jeopardize the data. A safer bet is to install a dedicated server with sufficient performance.

Power supply

Another issue which is often forgotten or neglected by former freelancers is a reliable power supply. As a freelancer, you probably had a standard uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your desktop computer, or nothing if you had a laptop. With network equipment, you’ll need a backup power supply, and the server should have a more powerful UPS than an ordinary workstation.

Building the right IT infrastructure isn’t a trivial task, and it’s advisable to find some professional help like Atlanta managed IT services, but if you have at least some basic IT skills you can do it yourself, and aserver for small business can be an essential component in your solution.