Best Practices for Implementing Efficient Ethernet Solutions
Everything is connected these days. When your business needs to flow smoothly, those connections can be the make-or-break differences between efficient networking solutions…and a network that interrupts your workflow. The solution? Ethernet Solutions are still the dominant technology for LANs (local area networks) thanks to its reliability, easy scalability, and overall cost-effectiveness.
But are you maximizing the benefits of Ethernet? Organizations don’t always know the answer to this question—nor do they stop to think about how they can optimize their Ethernet solutions to make themselves as efficient as possible. To find out how efficient you can be, it helps to know the best practices for implementing Ethernet to make your organization more consistent and well-connected.
#1: Assess Your Current Network Needs
Understand Your Business Requirements
Your Ethernet solution is here to serve your business requirements. To make sense of what that means, you first have to know what your business’s network actually needs. Here are some variables that can help you brainstorm:
- How many users? You’ll have to estimate how many devices that will connect to the network. Look at your average device-per-user count, or simply count how many users will connect to your network to form an estimate based on that.
- How much bandwidth? Evaluate your transfer needs. You likely have an idea of this based on your current bandwidth usage.
- How much growth? Don’t just think in terms of the present moment. Plan for the scalability you want to achieve, especially in terms of accommodating the potential growth you currently see at your company.
Conduct a Site Survey
Check out your current site and see what you find. You’ll want to run a survey to find any identifiable physical and environmental challenges that can get in the way of your Ethernet deployment. Think of this as scheduling an inspection on a house before you agree to buy it.
You should especially look for interference sources—any potential interferences such as physical blockages or electronic devices that can disrupt your Ethernet ecosystem. You should also map out your cable routes, looking for the best pathways to handle cables without any signal loss. Every space is different, so you’ll have to factor in other issues like the flow and walkability of the space.
#2: Choose the Right Ethernet Standards
Ethernet technology is like lots of other technology these days: it improves quickly. Now there are standards like 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T, and 10GBASE-T, and understanding which is right for you can depend on key issues like your speed requirements and distance.
For your speed requirements, keep in mind that you’ll need higher speeds if you have data-intensive applications to constantly run. If not, you might be able to get away with less speed. Additionally, you should know that different standards tend to support different maximum cable lengths.
You may also consider future-proofing your Ethernet with higher-speed Ethernet standards, even if your current needs don’t require it. This will help “insure” you against requiring a complete overhaul to your Ethernet systems in the future.
#3: Optimize Your Cable Infrastructure
Do you use high-quality cables for your ethernet solutions? If not, it’s time to think about how you handle everything with your cable infrastructure, from the quality of the cables themselves to the way you organize them. For example, high-quality cabling can ensure better performance and reduce any interference you experience throughout the day.
You should also consider implementing structured cabling. A structured cabling system might require more time and attention upfront, but it will immediately create benefits, including:
- Easier troubleshooting. If you have a well-organized system of cables, it will be much easier for you to identify any issues that arise.
- More flexibility. If your cable structuring makes sense, it’s easier to upgrade—to install higher quality cables, to reroute certain cables, and to identify which areas at your facilities may need change.
#4: Make Sure Your Network is Redundant
What do you want out of your network? Simple. High availability. The more smoothly your network runs—the more often it’s available—the more you can focus on the business at hand. The simplest way to do that is to ensure your network redundancy strategies are in place.
How do you achieve this? Start with redundant links. Establish multiple pathways for data to flow in case there’s a specific link failure. You’ll want to be strategic here. Map out the most critical data operations in your network and make sure those pathways have redundancy installed.
You should also try link aggregation. You can use technology like Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) to combine multiple connections. This will enhance your network bandwidth and greatly increase your chances of network reliability.
Finally, regularly test your redundancy. Simulate network failures and outages to make sure your backup systems engage when it’s time.
#5: Prioritize Your Network Security
Without the security of your network, all is lost. So it makes sense to hold your network security as a top priority. Secure your ethernet access by configuring your port switches to allow only recognized devices on the network, for starters. You should also consider VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) to segment your traffic, which will help you grow your security even further.
Finally, monitor your network traffic. Keep an eye on network monitoring tools to watch for unusual activity, including implementing intrusion detection systems (IDS) to respond quickly if there is so much as a potential security breach.
#6: Keep Your Firmware and Software Updated
Regular updates ensure your networking devices are on the “same page,” so to speak, with your network needs. You’ll optimize performance and security this way. Always check on manufacturer updates to see if there are new vulnerability fixes. And even if there aren’t key vulnerability fixes, the enhanced functionality will be well worth the updates.
Additionally, consider automated management tools to keep you in the loop on available updates. After all, you won’t be able to monitor network update needs when you’re busy with other work.
#7: Train Your Team
Invest in training programs for your IT staff. Keep them informed about the latest Ethernet technologies and best practices. The more knowledgeable your staff is, the better they can manage the network.
They’ll also be better at troubleshooting issues and implementing new solutions effectively. This affects every area of the business in a positive way.
More Efficient Ethernet Solutions Will Change Your Business
Want better connectivity? Better performance? A more reliable network? More efficient Ethernet solutions will get you there. We recommend that you work with a partner like Comport to assess your needs and choose the right standards. We can also help you with every item on this list—ensuring that your network is secure, organized, optimized, and working at its best. Contact our experts today for more efficient Ethernet solutions at your organization.
