What Does Business Network Support Include?

A business network can include considerably more than an internet connection.

Depending on the environment, it may involve:

      Internet connection

      Routers

      Firewalls

      Network switches

      Wireless access points

      Ethernet cabling

      Wi-Fi

      Servers

      Network storage

      Printers

      VoIP

      Business computers

      Security systems

      Cloud services

      Remote access

      Guest networks

      Network segmentation

When something stops working, identifying the correct component is often the first challenge.

Computerist can help investigate the network from the connection through to the devices using it.

Network Problems We Can Help With

Computerist can assist with common business network problems including:

Internet connectivity problems

Slow network performance

Intermittent connectivity

Wi-Fi dropouts

Poor wireless coverage

Computers unable to connect

Printers disappearing from the network

Network devices becoming unreachable

IP address conflicts

DNS-related problems

DHCP problems

Router configuration

Switch configuration

Wireless access-point configuration

Network expansion

New office setups

Network upgrades

Device connectivity

Guest Wi-Fi

Remote-access requirements

Network troubleshooting

If you don’t know whether the problem is your internet connection, router, switch, Wi-Fi or computer, that’s okay.

Tell us what you’re experiencing.

We’ll investigate where the problem actually sits.

Wired Network Support

Ethernet remains an important part of many business networks.

A properly designed wired network can provide predictable connectivity for:

Desktop computers

Servers

Network storage

Printers

Wireless access points

VoIP systems

Security equipment

Other infrastructure

Computerist can assist with appropriate wired-network requirements, including troubleshooting and configuration.

Where physical cabling is involved, we’ll determine whether the problem is likely to be network configuration or cabling/infrastructure and recommend the appropriate next step.

Business Wi-Fi Support

Wi-Fi has become essential to modern workplaces.

Employees may depend on wireless connectivity for:

Laptops

Phones

Tablets

Meetings

Cloud applications

Printers

VoIP

Guest access

Poor Wi-Fi can therefore become a productivity issue.

Common symptoms include:

Weak signal

Dead zones

Frequent disconnections

Slow speeds

Unstable connections

Poor performance in meeting rooms

Devices failing to roam correctly

Too many devices competing for capacity

Computerist can assess the network configuration and help identify practical improvements.

Wireless Access Points

Adding more access points isn’t always the answer to poor Wi-Fi.

The effectiveness of a wireless network depends on factors including:

Access-point placement

Building construction

Interference

Channel configuration

Client density

Network capacity

Backhaul

Power

Coverage requirements

Computerist can help businesses determine whether existing access points are appropriately configured and positioned, or whether additional infrastructure is required

Network Routers & Gateways

The router or gateway sits at an important point between your internal network and the internet.

Problems with its configuration can affect the entire business.

We can assist with appropriate requirements involving:

Internet connectivity

DHCP

DNS

NAT

Port configuration

Network addressing

Routing

Remote access

Firewall-related settings

The exact capabilities depend on the equipment and network environment.

Network Switches

Switches connect devices within a wired network.

A business network may use several switches across an office or building.

Computerist can assist with appropriate switch requirements involving:

Configuration

Connectivity

Port problems

Network expansion

Device connectivity

VLAN-related requirements

PoE requirements

Replacement planning

Where a switch is approaching the limits of its capability, we’ll help determine whether configuration or replacement makes more sense.

Power over Ethernet

Some business network devices can receive power through Ethernet cabling.

This can be useful for devices such as:

Wireless access points

VoIP phones

Security cameras

Other compatible network devices

When deploying or troubleshooting PoE equipment, the switch and connected device need to be compatible and appropriately powered.

Computerist can help assess suitable PoE requirements.

Network Troubleshooting

Network problems can be difficult because the symptoms don’t always reveal the cause.

For example:

One computer can’t connect.

The problem could be:

Computer

Network adapter

Cable

Switch port

DHCP

DNS

VLAN

Firewall

Router

Internet connection

Or:

Everyone has lost internet access.

That could involve:

ISP

Modem/ONT

Router

Firewall

DNS

WAN configuration

Power

Internal network infrastructure

We troubleshoot from the symptoms towards the cause.

Slow Business Network?

A slow network doesn’t necessarily mean you need faster internet.

The bottleneck could be:

Internet service

Wi-Fi

Switch

Cabling

Server

Storage

DNS

Network congestion

Application

Endpoint

Network configuration

We’ll try to identify where the slowdown actually occurs before recommending expensive upgrades.

Internet vs Network Problems

This distinction is important.

Your internet connection is only one part of your network.

You could have:

Fast internet + poor internal network

or:

Excellent internal network + poor internet service

The symptoms can sometimes look similar.

Computerist can help determine whether the problem appears to be:

Internet service

WAN

Router

Firewall

LAN

Wi-Fi

Endpoint

Application

That can save you from upgrading the wrong part of the system.

Network Configuration

A business network should have a deliberate configuration rather than growing entirely through trial and error.

Depending on the environment, configuration can include:

IP addressing

DHCP

DNS

Routing

Switching

Wireless

VLANs

Firewall

Guest access

Device connectivity

Good configuration can make future troubleshooting considerably easier.

VLANs & Network Segmentation

As businesses grow, it may become useful to separate different types of traffic.

For example:

Staff devices

Guest Wi-Fi

Voice

Security systems

Infrastructure

Servers

Network segmentation can help improve organisation, security and traffic management.

However, VLANs should not be introduced simply because they sound sophisticated.

The network needs to have a practical reason for using them.

Computerist can help assess whether segmentation is appropriate for your environment.

Guest Wi-Fi

Businesses often need to provide internet access to visitors without giving them access to internal business resources.

A properly configured guest network can help separate:

Guests

from:

Business systems

The appropriate implementation depends on your network equipment and security requirements.

Business Network Security

A network should not simply provide connectivity.

It should also be appropriately protected.

Depending on the environment, security considerations may include:

Firewall

Secure Wi-Fi

Strong administrative credentials

Network segmentation

Guest isolation

Firmware updates

Remote-access controls

Device management

Logging

Monitoring

Network security should also work alongside your Microsoft 365 and endpoint security. The Australian Cyber Security Centre provides guidance on securing network devices and business networks.

Network Upgrades

Businesses grow.

Technology changes.

Networks that were perfectly adequate several years ago may eventually become limitations.

You may need to upgrade because:

More employees have joined

Wi-Fi demand has increased

New access points are required

Internet speed has increased

Existing switches are outdated

New devices require PoE

Office space has changed

Security requirements have changed

Network performance is inadequate

We can help determine whether the right answer is configuration, additional equipment or a broader network upgrade.

New Office Network Setup

Moving into a new office?

Network planning should happen before everyone arrives with a laptop.

A new office may require:

Internet connection

Router/firewall

Switches

Wi-Fi

Ethernet

Access points

Guest network

Printers

VoIP

Network security

Device connectivity

Computerist can assist with the IT and network aspects of an office setup.

Where specialist structured cabling is required, we can identify that requirement and coordinate with the appropriate cabling provider where appropriate.

Business Network Expansion

Adding another employee sounds simple.

Adding another twenty employees can change the network requirements significantly.

Expansion may require:

Additional switches

More Wi-Fi capacity

Additional access points

More IP addresses

PoE

Network segmentation

Additional internet capacity

Improved firewall capacity

We’ll consider the existing infrastructure before recommending additional equipment.

Network Equipment Replacement

Network equipment eventually reaches the end of its useful life.

Older equipment may have:

Limited performance

Outdated security

Lack of manufacturer support

Limited capacity

Compatibility issues

Hardware faults

Replacing equipment should be planned rather than waiting for a critical failure where possible.

Computerist can help identify ageing infrastructure and determine what should be replaced first.

Network Monitoring & Management

For businesses with multiple network devices, visibility can become increasingly valuable.

Depending on the environment, monitoring can help identify:

Device availability

Connectivity problems

Performance issues

Recurring failures

Capacity concerns

Device health

Computerist has experience with network and endpoint monitoring environments and can help determine whether ongoing monitoring is appropriate for your business.

Network Documentation

When a network is undocumented, troubleshooting becomes unnecessarily difficult.

Useful network documentation can include:

Internet service

Router

Firewall

Switches

Access points

IP addressing

VLANs

Wi-Fi networks

Network diagrams

Device inventory

Configuration information

Key credentials and recovery information stored securely

Documentation also makes future upgrades and troubleshooting easier.

Your network shouldn’t be a mystery that only one person understands.

Remote Network Support

Some network problems can be investigated remotely.

This can include:

Router configuration

Switch configuration

Wi-Fi configuration

Connectivity

DNS

DHCP

Device access

General troubleshooting

Remote access must always be appropriately secured.

On-site Network Support

Some network problems require physical access.

For example:

Cabling

Access points

Switches

Router installation

Equipment replacement

Physical connectivity

Office moves

New equipment deployment

Computerist can provide on-site network assistance within our local service area where appropriate.

Network Support for Microsoft 365 Businesses

Cloud services don’t eliminate the need for a reliable network.

Your employees still need connectivity to access:

Microsoft 365

Exchange Online

Teams

OneDrive

SharePoint

Cloud applications

Business websites

VoIP services

A network problem can therefore look like a Microsoft 365 problem.

Computerist’s broader Microsoft 365 and endpoint experience can help determine whether the issue is actually inside Microsoft 365 or somewhere between the user and the internet.

Network Support for Remote & Hybrid Work

Employees working from home or across multiple locations introduce additional networking considerations.

These may include:

VPN

Secure remote access

Wi-Fi

Internet connectivity

Cloud applications

Identity

Device security

Computerist can help businesses understand the technical requirements around remote connectivity and access.

When Your Network Goes Down

A network outage can affect the entire business.

The priority is usually:

Restore connectivity

Get essential services functioning again.

Identify the cause

Determine why the failure occurred.

Protect the environment

Consider whether the incident has security or data implications.

Prevent recurrence

Where practical, identify what can be changed.

A good network support process isn’t simply:

“Restart the router.”

Sometimes that is the solution.

Sometimes it is only the beginning of the investigation.

What Happens When You Contact Computerist?

1. Describe the problem

Tell us what users are experiencing.

For example:

“The Wi-Fi keeps dropping out.”

“Nobody can access the server.”

“Our internet is slow.”

“The new computers won’t connect.”

You don’t need to know what’s causing it.

2. We map the problem

We’ll determine which part of the network may be involved.

3. We investigate

Depending on the issue, this may involve:

Devices

Cabling

Switches

Access points

Router

Firewall

DNS

DHCP

Internet service

Configuration

4. We explain what we’ve found

We’ll tell you what appears to be wrong and what your options are.

5. We implement the agreed solution

Once approved, we’ll make the appropriate changes.

6. We test

Connectivity should be tested after configuration or repair.

7. We document where appropriate

Important changes should not disappear into someone’s memory.