Ralco McNeill are extremely competent and experienced in the installation and maintenance of both the hardware and software aspects of ICT data networking. From full server installations to recabling, no job is too big or too small.

Some of the main types of network you may be considering are explained below.

Peer to Peer Networks
A peer to peer network is a small network of desktop systems, usually comprised of between 2 and 10 computers. Each computer acts as both a client and a server.

Typically this design of network is suited for small business or organizations that desire to share a few files, printers and internet access. It is great for sharing resources with minimum hardware requirements. They provide the minimum security and sharing requirements in order to bypass the need to move data from one system to another on floppy disk or other removable magnetic media.

This type of network is not suited to a large number of users as there is no central point of administration.

Server Based Networks
In a server-based network environment, resources are located on a central server or group of servers. A server is a computer that is specifically designated to provide services for the other computers on the network. A network client is a computer that accesses the resources available on the server.

The server-based network model is more efficient for larger networks because hardware resources can be concentrated on relatively few highly-utilized network servers; client computers can be designed with minimal hardware configurations.

A file server is a server that stores files on the network for users. A user at a client machine can save a file to a hard drive located on the file server. If the user wants to access the file later, he / she can access the file from a client machine through a network connection to the file server. Maintaining a central location for file storage on the server makes it easier to provide a backup copy of important files and implement a fault-tolerance system, such as a RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) system.

A print server manages access to network printing resources, thus enabling several client machines to use the same printer. Because files and printers are so basic and so important to most networks, file and print services are very basic components of most network operating systems, and a single machine commonly acts (or is able to act) as both a file server and a print server.

Wireless Networking
Wireless technology can be incorporated into both peer to peer networks and server based networks. This enables more flexibility for users in that the computers / laptops do not need to be plugged into a hard wired socket connecting them to the network. Instead with a wireless card fitted to the machine data can be sent and received to an “access point” located within the area that they are.

Features of a Wireless LAN:

Mobility and flexibility - Wireless LANs let you extend your network to every inch of your building
Installation speed and simplicity - Installing a wireless LAN system can be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through wall and ceilings
Installation flexibility - wireless technology allows the network to go where wire cannot
Reduced costs of ownership - Cost of wiring is eliminated. Long term cost benefits are greatest in dynamic environments requiring frequent moves and changes
Scalability - Wireless LAN systems can be configured in a variety of topologies to meet the needs of specific applications and installations
Faster, cheaper and more secure than ever before.
Wireless offers fast deployment - With a wireless LAN you can be transmitting data in a fraction of the time needed to install a wired connection.