Have you ever stopped and wondered why you buy from the places you shop at? Go ahead stop and ponder why you shop from your favorite store. I’ll wait…

< Jeopardy music playing in the background>

Oh, you’re back! That didn’t take as long as I thought it would. It is an interesting question, huh? Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why you buy from that store or company and then at other times it is as plain as day. There are so many factors to think about.

Now think about your business. With everything you are doing to run and maintain a successful business, time and energy are in short supply. We get that thought process. We also understand when it comes to finding your networking equipment and accessories you don’t really want to shop around. You want to find one place that offers exactly what you need at a competitive price.

But, you deserve so much more than that! At CablesAndKits, we go above and beyond what’s expected to offer you a trusted and reliable interaction every single time. Our core purpose is to positively impact the lives of others, so we go the extra mile to enhance our surrounding community while enriching the lives of the …

Top Five Things You Need to Start Your Computer Network

It can seem overwhelming to start a computer network. Whether you’re looking to create a network for your small business, home office, or the bunker in your back yard, it’s still intimidating.

But, if you break it down it’s actually much more manageable than it may appear. If you have the right tools, equipment and guidebook, it’s possible.

Let’s start with the basics. Why do you even need a computer network? Setting up a network is a good way to get more use out of your computers and peripherals. A single network allows you to use one Internet connection for all your devices. It also makes it easier to share files, printers and resources. Sounds useful, huh?

So, take a deep breath and let’s get started!

Cisco Networking Equipment

What equipment do you need when starting a computer network? Believe it or not, it involves a little more than just plugging in the monitor, closing your eyes, and crossing your fingers! Although that does help from time to time when dealing with technology.

Understanding what basic equipment you will need to set-up a computer network will make the process much easier. Don’t attempt to create a network until you’ve purchased all the equipment and accessories you may need, because all this will create is a huge headache and we don’t sell aspirin. (But, maybe we should….hmmm new business plan!)

With just a little effort and our awesome guidance, you’ll be up and running before you know it:

The top five things you will need to start your computer network include:

• Cisco routers
• Cisco security devices
• Ethernet network cables
• Cisco switches
• Wireless access points

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(This blog is an updated and extended version of a post, by our CEO, we released in September 2009)

If you’ve ever installed a network, either for your home, office or business, you’ve probably asked yourself- With so many different types of network cabling, what do I really need?  Is it a Cat 5, 5e, 6, 6A, shielded or unshielded, UTP or STP? Do I need a patch/straight through cable or a crossover cable?  With so many different kinds of network cables to choose from, which one is right for your needs?

What types of network cable are available currently?

Cat5 has been replaced by Cat5e as the general standard networking cable in new installations, with the improved signal carrying capacity being the primary reason.  A Cat5 cable can support Ethernet and Fast Ethernet. Cat5e (Cat5 enhanced) supports Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet speeds over short distances and is backward compatible with Cat5.  Cat5e cable also has improved durability, due to improvements in the quality of the PVC protective jacket. It is more than suitable for most data cabling requirements.

Cat6 is one of the newest versions of network cabling, and is very similar to Cat5e, but specifically designed to consistently deliver 1 Gigabit Ethernet. It is used in installations where a Cat6 Certified Network is required.

While Cat5e and Cat6 can support Gigabit speeds, Cat6A (Cat6 Augmented) is certified to 10 Gigabit speeds and is backward compatible with the all the existing standards, and is suitable for industries utilizing high-performance computing platforms to support very high bandwidth-intensive applications. 10G/Cat 6a applications would be server farms, storage area networks, data centers & riser backbones.

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Navigating the jungle of terminology, acronyms and part numbers can be daunting in the field of telecommunications. Anyone attempting to determine and buy cabling can attest to this.  Improper data cabling will cause a logical error. With power cables, using the wrong type can cause physical failure such as fires and electrical shock. The stakes are higher. Luckily the abundance of documentation and regulation assure that anyone seeking direction to deploy the correct cord can find the information they need to choose the right cord and avoid common pitfalls, damage and injury that comes with electrical failure.

Common Terminology:

Amperage (amp): This term refers to the amount of electrons that are moving in the circuit. This is also “how much” electricity there is.

Voltage: This refers to how much force is behind the electrons, or how fast the electrons are moving.

Attributes:

When choosing a power cord there are (3) main attributes to be aware of:

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Ok, I found this one this morning and just thought it was cool. Select some text (using whatever method you desire), hold CTRL and Shift and press either < or > to decrease or increase the font size. This works in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and probably other Microsoft programs as well. I tried it in OpenOffice Writer and it did’t work there however.

Along similar lines, while in a web browser you can hold CTRL and press + or – to increase the font size that is being displayed.

The internet is full of handy tricks, and you may have heard of this one already. But, I just accidentally stumbled upon it when I fat fingered the wrong key while trying to use another trick I learned a million years ago and thought I might share. …

It is quite annoying to have to walk to the server room with a laptop and console cable in hand every time you need to make a change to your router, switch, firewall, or other network device’s configuration. Fortunately there are some easier and better ways. …

This is a common problem these days. Almost all Cisco networking equipment is configured using a serial console cable (usually the 72-3383-01 DB9 to RJ45 cable) but most new laptops (and even workstations) no longer have a DB9 serial port.

The solution is a USB to Serial adapter. With the USB to DB9 serial adapter and a standard Cisco console cable (72-3383-01) you essentialy have a “USB Console Cable“.

Every Sys Admin should have one of these in their laptop bag right next to their “Late Night Server Migration Survival Kit” (the “just right size” bag of M&M’s we include with every order of course)