| Once you've finished the layout design for your | | | | access to info. Additionally, this will let your users get |
| practice's network, you're ready to decide on its | | | | to the info they want from any machine across the |
| logical design. The logical design, in other words, is the | | | | network, even from home. |
| intangible function and infrastructure of the network. | | | | It can be preferable to setup every user account |
| Below you'll find tips on making your network flexible | | | | with a series of network drives with a narrow access |
| and efficient, contributing to smooth operations: | | | | scope. This lets the user easily share documents |
| Flexibility | | | | across departments, be it an employee manual, new |
| When organizing a design, group by function as well | | | | policy, or vacation scheduling. The department drive |
| as geography. This sort of design allows for better | | | | can also be set to share info only with users in that |
| flexibility for the functionality and management of the | | | | specific department, allowing fluid department |
| network. That is, if your business has multiple | | | | collaboration. |
| locations, is can be beneficial to form a logical unit | | | | Each individual user account has its own home |
| called 'front desk.' From 'front desk,' you could then | | | | directory which is only accessible by that individual |
| also create a logical unit for every location and place | | | | user. This creates a safe area for confidential |
| each user account into an appropriate unit. | | | | documentation which should not be accessed by |
| The first benefit is that you can apply network | | | | others, also backed up on a nightly schedule. |
| policies to the logical units. For example, perhaps all | | | | Internet and email |
| 'front desk' accounts are set for their screens to lock | | | | This is an excellent service to include on the network. |
| up after ten minutes without activity. To apply, | | | | However, when setting up email, be sure to run good |
| simply add this feature to the 'front desk' unit on the | | | | anti-virus software on the mail server, to scan all |
| network. | | | | outgoing and incoming messages. Email is the top |
| The second benefit lets you to group by function, | | | | method of spreading viruses, and if the mail server is |
| then geography, allowing you to delegate necessary | | | | configured properly at the outset you have most |
| admin functions across the network. Going back to | | | | effectively reduced your risk. Microsoft Exchange or |
| the front desk, for example - each area could be | | | | another mail server solution are excellent ways to |
| delegated to a supervisor with the privilege of | | | | introduce email as well as online calendars. |
| changing passwords. In this way the entire front | | | | Internet access is a must to properly communicate |
| desk set could be delegated to a single clinic | | | | between multiple locations. Additionally, most |
| administrator, eliminating the problem of a staff | | | | software companies ask that you keep a broadband |
| member who is unable to perform the job functions | | | | connection in order to send you updates and support. |
| because they need an unavailable Internet technology | | | | Although pricing and support for broadband service |
| person to help them sign in and out. | | | | varies by area, the need for proper security is |
| Basic Network Service | | | | constant. No matter what kind of connection you |
| When you've produced a working draft of the | | | | establish, be sure your assets are kept behind a |
| network organization, it's the time to choose which | | | | firewall, a security device that stays between the |
| services you'll add. For a smooth-functioning office | | | | network and the world outside it. It can be a good |
| environment, the most needed are Internet access, | | | | idea for someone to perform an outside scan and |
| email, and file storage. | | | | look for weaknesses in your firewall every now and |
| Network file storage is an excellent tool for an | | | | then. |
| organization to have, allowing them to map network | | | | The majority of vendors have product versions for |
| drives for individual users, and requiring them to save | | | | both corporate and consumer customers; the |
| the data to the network instead of local machines. | | | | corporate version are built for network-based |
| This protects and backs-up the data. By storing the | | | | deployment and have additional tools for you to |
| data on a single server, you will have the ability to | | | | centrally manage your anti-virus product and strategy. |
| perform a centralized nightly backup, and control | | | | |