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SMB Networking Essentials Learn about routing, switching, security, wireless and IP telephones
SMB NetworkingEssentialsLearn about routing, switching, security, wirelessand IP telephones
Small BusinessNetworkBuilding a Small Business Network
In today's global economy, small businessnetworking is about reducing your operating costs.It's about reacting quickly to changing markets andcustomer needs. It's about being prepared for thefuture.
Routers and switches are the building blocks for allbusiness communications as they can increaseproductivity, cut business costs, and improvesecurity and customer service.
Small Business Network Benefits:
Routers and Switches allow your Small BusinessNetwork to:
Work Anywhere
A host of technologies such as virtual privatenetworks (VPNs) enable mobile employees andteleworkers to work securely at home, on the road,or at customers' offices.
Improving security
Reduce risk and protect valuable businessinformation by installing a networked solution withswitches and routers. For example, routers canprotect your network with a built-in firewall andIntrusion Prevention System (IPS) - specialisedsoftware that examines incoming data and protectsagainst attacks.
Reducing operating costs
Routing and switching technologies can make apositive impact on your bottom line. You saveexpenses by sharing equipment, such as printers,internet access, servers, and services. A reliablenetwork also can grow with your business, keepingyou from having to replace it as your needs grow.
SmallBusinessNetworkInvest in a network that can growover time, so you can add featuresand functionality.
Make sure your switches androuters are easy to install, use, andmanage.
For additional SMB networking information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
Speeding access to information
Accurate, timely information is essential for makingbusiness decisions. Routing and switching providesaccess to allow great visibility into real-timebusiness information and provides a sound basisfor effective decision-making.
Enhancing customer service
Today's customers expect rapid responses andpersonalised services whenever they're dealingwith your business. A responsive, reliable smallbusiness network is an absolute necessity to giveyour employees speedy access to customerinformation.
Access Customer Data Wherever, Whenever
Secure small business networking allows you toinput, update, and view information aboutcustomers in a database.
Be Prepared for the Future
Designing a secure, flexible small businessnetwork allows you to easily, cost-effectively addnew applications such as voice andvideo. Therefore your business will be betterpositioned to keep ahead of competitors.
Adding voice and wireless to your secure smallbusiness network provides additional benefits:
• Streamline Network Management
Combining voice, data, and other applications intoone network simplifies network installation andmanagement.
• Communicate More Effectively
A secure voice and data network foundation letsyou check email, voicemail, and faxes from oneinbox. A single phone number will ringsimultaneously on multiple devices, preventingcallers from landing in voicemail. With enhancedcommunications, your company can more easilyexpand globally.
• Reduce Costs
Consolidating all your communications onto asingle network saves companies an average of 46percent in network costs, according to marketresearch firm IDC.
• Use Your Phone as a Computer—and YourComputer as a Phone
Your employees can roam the sales floor,warehouse, office, or campus with their phones, sothey're never out of touch. They can use theirwireless phones to look up customer data, accessthe company directory, get stock quotes, andperform other tasks. When traveling, employeescan use laptops to make and receive calls usingyour company's full phone system—just as theywould if they were in the office.
Ten Tips for MakingYour Business MoreEfficientCut costs, improve efficiency, boost customersatisfaction, stay ahead
Here are 10 tips for using network technology tohelp your business
1. Give employees secure, consistentaccess to information. You have anadvantage over larger competitors becauseyou can react quickly to business changes.But you can quickly lose this edge if yourcompany network is frequently down,sluggish, or unsecured. A secure, reliablenetwork based on intelligent routers andswitches lets your employees access theinformation and tools they need to keepahead of competitors.
2. Deliver anytime, anywhere access toemployees on the go. To stay productiveon the move, your employees need to beable to reach the people and informationthey need—anywhere, anytime. With toolslike virtual private networks (VPNs), youremployees can work outside the office andstill enjoy safe access to the businessnetwork.
3. Create effective business processeswith partners. Some large companiesmake efficient, secure business processes aprerequisite for doing business with them.To meet the business needs of yourpartners, you need a secure, reliablenetwork.
4. Make it easy to work together. Smoothcollaboration between employees, partners,suppliers, and customers is a sure-fire wayto boost efficiency while also reducingcosts. An intelligent network lets yourbusiness take advantage of interactivecalendaring, videoconferencing, unifiedcommunications, and other technologies foreasy collaboration.
5. Enable employees to take their phonesystems wherever they go. Missed callscreate project delays, wasted opportunities,and lost revenues. With a networked voiceand data solution, your employees can haveone phone number that rings simultaneouslyon multiple devices, so customers reach the
Efficiency isKeyTo keep pace in an increasinglycompetitive world, your businessneeds to run as efficiently aspossible. Sooner or later, anycompany not operating efficientlywill be out of business. Efficiency iseven more important for small andmedium-sized businesses, becausetheir resources are limitedcompared to large globalcompanies.
For additional SMB networking information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
right person the first time. Your staff canaccess all their communications anywhere,from just one inbox.
6. Streamline customer communications.Delivering fast, knowledgeable service is thebest way to keep customers satisfied.Linking your network phone system to acustomer relationship management (CRM)solution is a great way to enhance customercommunications. When a customer calls, apop-up window with their records appearson an employee's IP phone screen,computer screen, or both.
7. Reduce unproductive travel time. All toooften, time spent on the road is time lost. Anetworked phone solution that offers videocalls and Web conferencing can helpreduce the time and expense of traveling tooffsite meetings. Instead of spending timetraveling, you can use the time to get workdone with technology.
8. Employ a managed service provider. Ismanaging a network the best use of youremployees' time? In some situations, it isadvantageous to hire a managed serviceprovider for network administration. Working
with a managed service provider can freeyour IT staff to focus on other IT tasks anduse their time more effectively.
9. Improve employee satisfaction. Ageingphone systems and slow networks canfrustrate your employees and customers. Insome cases, an employee might becomeburned out and decide to move on. To helpensure that employees are productive andsatisfied, your business needs a secure,reliable, and fast network.
10. Develop a long-term technology plan.The process of replacing obsolete hardwarecan bring the office to a standstill. You canminimise such disruptions by carefullydetermining short- and long-term businessobjectives and working with your networkvendor to deploy technology that matchesthem.
Solutions from Cisco
Cisco and Cisco Certified Partners, value-addedresellers (VARs), and managed service providersoffer a variety of solutions tailored specifically tothe needs of businesses like yours:
• Intelligent small business routers and smallbusiness switches, for a secure, reliablenetwork foundation
• Voice and conferencing, for merging voice,video, and data into one phone system
• Security for small and medium-sizedbusinesses, to safeguard against networkthreats and give employees highly securenetwork access from home
• Wireless mobility solutions, enablingworkers to stay connected while on the go
• Advanced applications, such as CiscoUnified CallConnectors, linking yournetworked phone system to CRM solutions
Cisco and its partners work closely with you toidentify business goals and map them to specificsolutions. And Cisco Capital offers flexible leasingand financing options designed for your needs.
Begin exploring Cisco solutions for small andmedium-sized businesses.
The Network & ItsKey ComponentsSwitches, Routers & Wireless
Switches
Switches are used to connect multipledevices on the same network within abuilding or campus. For example, aswitch can connect your computers,printers, and servers, creating anetwork of shared resources. Theswitch serves as a controller, allowingdevices to share information andcommunicate. Through informationsharing and resource allocation,switches save you money andincrease productivity.
There are two basic types of switchesto choose from as part of yournetworking basics, managed andunmanaged:
An unmanaged switch works right outof the box. It's not designed to beconfigured, so you don't have to
worry about installing or setting it upcorrectly. Unmanaged switches haveless network capacity than managedswitches. You'll usually findunmanaged switches in homenetworking equipment.
A managed network switch isconfigurable, offering greater flexibilityand capacity than an unmanagedswitch. You can monitor and adjust amanaged switch locally or remotely, togive you greater network control.
Routers
Routers are used to connect multiplenetworks together. For example, youwould use a router to connect yournetworked computers to the Internetand thereby share an Internetconnection among many users. Therouter acts as a dispatcher, choosing
the best route for your information totravel so that you receive it quickly.Routers analyse the data that is sentover a network and send it to anothernetwork or to a different type ofnetwork. They connect your businessto the outside world, protect yourinformation from security threats andcan even decide which computers getpriority over others.
Routers include different capabilities.Features include:
• Firewall: Specialised softwarethat examines incoming dataand protects your networkagainst attacks.
• Virtual private network (VPN): Away for remote employees tosafely access your network.
What is aNetwork?The network operates byconnecting computersand peripherals usingswitches, routers, andaccess points. Thesedevices perform verydifferent functions, andwithin the network theycommunicate with oneanother, as well as withother networks.
For additional SMB networking information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
• IP phone network: Combinesyour company's computer andtelephone network, using voiceand conferencing technology,to simplify and unify yourcommunications.
What Is a Network Switch versus aRouter?
Switches create a network. Routersconnect networks. A router linkscomputers to the Internet, so userscan share the connection. A routeracts as a dispatcher, choosing thebest path or route for information totravel so it's received quickly.
What Is a Network Switch to MyBusiness?
Switches and routers are the buildingblocks for all businesscommunications. They can increaseproductivity, trim expenses, improvesecurity and customer service.
Wireless
An access point allows wirelessdevices to connect to the network.Having a wireless network makes iteasy to bring new devices online andprovides flexible support to mobileworkers. An access point takes thebandwidth coming from a router andstretches it so that many devices cango on the network from fartherdistances away. But an access pointdoes more than simply extend Wi-Fi.It can also give useful data about thedevices on the network, provideproactive security, and serve manyother practical purposes.
Access points support different IEEEstandards. Each standard operates onvarying frequencies, deliveringdifferent bandwidth, and supportingdifferent numbers of channels.
There are four different types ofdeployments that an organisation canchoose from to create a wirelessnetwork. Each deployment has its ownattributes that will work better fordifferent solutions. They are:
• Cisco Mobility Express: Asimple, high-performancewireless solution for small ormedium-sized organisations.Mobility Express has the fullcomplement of advancedCisco features. These featuresallow for a quick and effortlessdeployment that can beoperational in minutes.
• Centralised deployment: Themost common type of wirelessnetwork, traditionally deployedin campuses where buildingsand networks are in closeproximity. This deploymentconsolidates the wirelessnetwork, allowing for easierupgrades and enabling
advanced wireless functionality.Controllers are based on-premises and are installed in acentralised location.
• Converged deployment: Asolution tailored for smallcampuses or branchoffices. This deploymentconsistently converges wiredand wireless on one networkdevice—an access switch—andperforms the dual role of bothswitch and wireless controller.
• Cloud-based deployment: Asystem that uses the cloud tomanage network devicesdeployed on-premises atdifferent locations. The solutionrequires Cisco Meraki cloud-managed devices, which havefull visibility of the network.
Wireless NetworkWhy you need to go Wireless
What Is a Wireless Network vs. a Wired Network?
A wired network connects devices to the Internetor other network using cables. The most commonwired networks use cables connected to Ethernetports on the network router on one end and to acomputer or other device on the cable's oppositeend.
Catching Up with Wired Networks
In the past, some believed wired networks werefaster and more secure than wireless networks.But continual enhancements to wirelessnetworking standards and technologies haveeroded those speed and security differences.
The Benefits of a Wireless Network:
A business can experience many benefits from awireless network, including:
Convenience. Access your network resourcesfrom any location within your wireless network'scoverage area or from any WiFi hotspot.
Mobility. You're no longer tied to your desk, as youwere with a wired connection.
Productivity. Wireless access to the Internet and toyour company's key applications and resourceshelps your staff get the job done and encouragescollaboration.
Easy setup. You don't have to string cables, soinstallation can be quick and cost-effective.
Expandable. You can easily expand wirelessnetworks with existing equipment, while a wirednetwork might require additional wiring.
Security. Advances in wireless networks providerobust security protections.
Cost. Wireless networks reduce wiring costs.
What is aWirelessNetwork?A wireless local-area network (LAN)uses radio waves to connectdevices such as laptops to theInternet and to your businessnetwork and its applications. Whenyou connect a laptop to a WiFihotspot at a cafe, hotel, airportlounge, or other public place, you'reconnecting to that business'swireless network.
For additional SMB Wireless information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
Other reasons to go Wireless:
Enhanced guest access
• Give secure network access to customersand business partners
• Offer a value-added service
A wireless network allows your business to providesecure wireless access to the Internet for guestssuch as customers or business partners.
Improved responsiveness
• Connect to the information you need whenyou need it
• Provide better customer service
A wireless network can improve customer serviceby quickly connecting staff to the information theyneed. For example, a doctor in a small medicaloffice can access online patient files while movingbetween exam rooms, or a retail sales person cancheck on available inventory necessary to write uporders on the showroom floor.
Better access to information
• Connect hard-to-reach areas• Improve your processes
Wireless LANs allow a business to bring networkaccess to areas that would be difficult to connectto a wired network. For example, adding wirelessaccess points to a warehouse can make it easier tocheck and manage inventory, providing thecompany with accurate inventory figures in realtime.
Wireless Networking: GettingStarted
Ready to get started with wireless networking?Consider these steps:
1. Make Sure Your PCs Are Wireless
Most laptops today have built-in wirelessnetworking connections. If yours doesn't, you'llneed to install a wireless network adapter card,which is typically inexpensive and easy to use.
2. Get a Router Capable of Wireless Networking
Many network routers today act as wirelessnetworking access points. They let you connectmultiple computers to a single wireless network.And they connect your network to the Internet.
You can extend wireless networking throughoutyour office, store, or campus by placing additionalwireless access points in various locations. Theadditional access points extend the wirelesssignal's range and strength over a widergeographical area, so that it's available in moreplaces, such as conference rooms.
3. Pay Attention to Location
The signal generated from each wireless accesspoint or router extends up to approximately 300feet. Walls, metal (such as in elevator shafts) andfloors can negatively affect range. And the wirelesssignal's strength weakens the longer it has totravel. For best results, space out your accesspoints and position them in central areas. Tip:Access points can provide stronger signals wheninstalled on or near ceilings.
4. Don't Overshare Access Point
For best results, don't share any single wirelessaccess point with more than 20 users. Typically,the more users sharing an access point, the slowerthe wireless network can become. If your businessnetwork supports a voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) or Unified Communications system, limiteach access point to 8-12 users.
5. Secure Your Network
Security is vital to wireless networking. Somesecurity methods to consider for your networkinclude:
• Data encryption, so only authorised userscan access information over your wirelessnetwork
• User authentication, which identifiescomputers trying to access the network
• Secure access for visitors and guests• Control systems, which protect the laptops
and other devices that use the network.Cisco Aironet 1815 Access Point Series - A Wireless SMB staple in your business network
Network SecurityChecklistHelping You Keep Your Network Safe
Many small and medium-sizedbusinesses do not have adequatenetwork security. Here's how tomake sure you do.
Now more than ever, you depend on your networkfor your most important business operations, suchas communication, inventory, billing, sales, andtrading with partners. Yet up to now, you mighthave held off on protecting your network, forseveral reasons:
• Network security might seem too complex,and tackling it might seem like too muchwork. But you can take a step-by-stepapproach as described in the checklistbelow, and then get an outside consultant tohelp you complete your security plan.
• You might think network security is anexpense that won't help your businessgrow. Instead of thinking about networksecurity as a technical concern, consider ita business continuity issue. Networks have
become a basic part of doing businesstoday, making security as important as salesand marketing.
• You may believe that smaller companies areless likely to be a target of attacks. But aslarge companies beef up their networksecurity, hackers are increasingly focusingon small and medium-sized businesses.
General Security Planning Tips
The following tips can help you develop and winsupport for an effective network security plan:
• Focus on return on value rather than returnon investment. Consider the harm a networksecurity breach could do to your business,such as lost revenue or customer litigation.
• Never assume that network attacks willcome only from outsiders. Your employeescan accidentally create securityvulnerabilities, or former employees cancause damage.
NetworkSecurityChecklist
For additional SMB security information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
• Don't be tempted to confront securityconcerns with a piecemeal approach ratherthan a single, unified strategy that protectsyour whole network.
• Work with others in your company todevelop and roll out security strategies,focusing on technology, training, andphysical site security with tools likesurveillance cameras.
• Find the right balance between security andusability. The more secure your network is,the more difficult it can be to use.
Network Security Checklist
Every business should have a thoughtfully preparednetwork security plan. A thorough policy will covertopics such as:
• Acceptable use policy, to specify what typesof network activities are allowed and whichones are prohibited
• E-mail and communications activities, tohelp minimise problems from e-mails andattachments
• Antivirus policy, to help protect the networkagainst threats like viruses, worms, andTrojan horses
• Identity policy, to help safeguard thenetwork from unauthorised users
• Password policy, to help employees selectstrong passwords and protect them
• Encryption policy, to provide guidance onusing encryption technology to protectnetwork data
• Remote access policy, to help employeessafely access the network when workingoutside the office
Answering the following questions can help youdevelop your own policy:
Do you have any of the following?
• Firewall, to keep unauthorised users offyour network
• Virtual private network (VPN), to giveemployees, customers, and partners secureaccess to your network
• Intrusion prevention, to detect and stopthreats before they harm your network
• Content security, to protect your networkfrom viruses, spam, spyware, and otherattacks
• Secure wireless network, to provide safenetwork access to visitors and employeeson the go
• Identity management, to give you controlover who and what can access the network
• Compliance validation, to make sure thatany device accessing the network meetsyour security requirements
Identify Your Most Important Digital Assets andWho Uses Them
• Exactly what are your company's digitalassets (such as intellectual property andcustomer records)?
• What are they worth?• Where do those assets reside?• Who has access to these assets, and why?
Can all employees access the same assets?• Do you extend access to business partners
and customers?• How do you control that access?
What Would a Security Breach Do to YourBusiness?
• What is the potential financial impact of anetwork outage due to a security breach?
• Could a security breach disrupt your supplychain?
• What would happen if your Website wentdown?
• Do you have e-commerce features on yoursite? How long could the site be downbefore you lost money?
• Are you insured against Internet attacks, oragainst the misuse of your customers' data?Is this insurance adequate?
• Do you have backup and recoverycapabilities to restore information ifnecessary after a security breach?
Consider Your Current and Future Needs
• How do you expect your business plan toevolve over the next few years?
• How recently have you updated yournetwork equipment? Software? Virusdefinitions?
• What type of security training do youprovide to your employees?
• How will growth affect your digital assetsand their value to your business as a whole?
• In the future, are you likely to have a greaterneed for remote employees, customers, orpartners to access those digital assets?
Cisco's Next Gen Intrusion Prevention Systems (NGIPS) are a necessity for a SMB Network to ensure your businessnetwork is safe
FirewallsFirewall solutions
Software vs. Hardware Firewalls
Software firewalls protect each individual PCthey're installed on. But to protect all yourcompany's computers, each must have a softwarefirewall installed. That can get expensive and bedifficult to maintain.
On the other hand, hardware-based firewallsolutions for small business protect all computerson your network. A hardware-based firewall iseasier to administer, too.
The ideal firewall solutions for small businessintegrate a hardware firewall with software controlsinto a comprehensive security solution thatincludes virtual private network (VPN) support,antivirus, antispam, antispyware, and contentfiltering capabilities.
Firewall Solutions for Small Business: Benefits
Firewall solutions for small business, whenintegrated with a comprehensive security device,offer many benefits. Among them are:
• Support for changing business needs. Thebest firewall solutions for small business letyou safely deploy new applications. Theyprovide advanced application-layer securityfor a wide range of applications, includingemail, voice over IP (VoIP), video, andmultimedia programs.
• Controlled access to your company'sresources. The most effective firewallsolutions for small business blockunauthorized access to applications orinformation assets.
• Increased employee productivity. Byblocking unauthorised access from hackers,your firewall helps prevent the loss ofemployee productivity or valuable companydata.
FirewallSolutionsFirewall software and hardwaresolutions are both designed toblock unauthorised access tocomputers. Firewalls help preventhackers from intercepting privatedata or planting Trojan horses orother Internet threats on yournetworked computers.
Small business firewall software isone method used to protectcomputers against hacker attacksand other Internet threats. Anothermethod is to deploy a hardwarefirewall (which also uses software).
For additional Firewall information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
• Improved business resiliency. The bestfirewalls prevent disruption of business-critical applications and services due tosecurity breaches.
Find out more about Cisco Next Gen FirewallSolutions
Cisco ASA 5500-X FirePower Services
Small BusinessPhone SystemWhat to consider when implementing a newsmall business phone system
Understand What Your Users Need
The right small business phone system can giveyour people the tools they need to be moreefficient.
Features and capabilities available include:
• Mobile softphones, for using a computer asa phone
• The ability to make and receive calls fromsmartphones or tablets
• Video or web conferencing support• Automated attendant• Paging and intercom
You can also get unified messaging, withnotifications by email, text message, or phone.Instant Messaging and Presence technology, helpyou quickly identify the people available within yourorganisation and reach them at any given time.
Benefits Include:
• Improve Customer Relationships- Adding customer contact centretechnology to your small business phonesgives customers multiple ways to reachyou—via phone, fax, email, or click-to-chat.This helps your support team provide faster,more targeted service.
• Free Your Workforce - Today’s smallbusiness phones aren’t bound to a desk,and neither are employees. Workers canconsolidate all incoming business calls tomobile, home office, or other phones with asingle phone number and immediatelyreceive calls wherever they’re working.
• Simplicity - For employees, an IP network-based phone system can be as easy to useas a traditional landline phone, yet offer farmore features and capabilities.
What to KnowWhen Buying?Small business phone systems areavailable in a variety ofconfigurations, offering an ever-growing range of features andbenefits. Most modern smallbusiness phone systems today runon Internet Protocol (IP)networks—the same network theyuse to connect employees, devices,and information resources.
But how do you find the right smallbusiness phone system for yourcompany? And what's the best wayto deploy it?
For additional SMB Phone System information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
• Flexibility & Mobility - Communicate yourway, in the most effective way for the task athand - a phone call, video call, or withinstant messaging or chat. Offered onsmartphone and tablet platforms - includingthose owned by employees.
Ultimately, Cisco small business phone systemsoffer you simplified communications that enhancekey business relationships, reduce yourcommunications costs, and improve productivityfor you and your coworkers.
With the Cisco Unified IP Phones 7900 Series, small businesses can make employees more productive by giving themthe voice and data communications they need.
Voice over IP (VoIP)VoIP helps your business keep it simple whilesaving cash
As a business owner, you've got to stay flexible-and that's why VoIP for business is such a greatway to go. By switching to an Internet-basedphone system on your own network, you'll stayconnected at work and at home. You'll have bettersecurity. And you'll have easier access to theinformation you need, right when you need it.
• Save money• Reduce travel expenses with Web
conferencing, video calls, and othercollaborative tools
• Add extra phone lines easily-VoIP allowsyou to send more than one phone callacross the same Web-based network
• Communicate better with employees andcustomers
• Offer more ways for you and youremployees to stay connected
• "Presence" technology allows you to seewhich employees are available and how tocontact them
• Unified communications makes it easierfor you to work from home-or fromanywhere with an Internet connection
Enjoy lots of features without hidden fees:
• Call forwarding• Voicemail• Unlimited long distance• Call conferencing• Caller ID
Voice over IP Facts:
The Range of Services
VoIP is available in a wide range of services. Somebasic, free VoIP services require all parties to be attheir computers to make or receive calls. Others letyou call from a traditional telephone handset oreven a cell phone to any other phone
What is VoIP?With VoIP, analog voice calls areconverted into packets of data. Thepackets travel like any other type ofdata, such as e-mail, over thepublic Internet and/or any privateInternet Protocol (IP) network.
How VoIP works for your businessis simple: By adding voice to a datanetwork, you’ll reduce costs,improve productivity, and enhancecollaboration.
For additional SMB VoIP information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
Equipment
For VoIP, you need a broadband Internetconnection, plus a traditional phone and anadapter; a VoIP-enabled phone; or VoIP softwareon your computer.
Security and Service Quality
Most consumer VoIP services use the Internet forphone calls. But many small businesses are usingVoIP and unified communications on their privatenetworks. That's because private networks providestronger security and service quality than thepublic Internet.
Versus Unified Communications
Unified communications systems offer morefeatures and benefits than VoIP. Unifiedcommunications brings together all forms ofcommunication regardless of location, time ordevice. Faxes, e-mail, and voicemail are alldelivered to a single inbox. You can integrate yourphone and customer relationship management(CRM) systems to improve your customer service,
and much more.
How to Protect Your Voice: Tips onIP Phone Security
Cybercriminals will happily tell you: IP telephony,known as VoIP, is a wonderful thing. As hackingvoicemail is so lucrative; it exposes privatebusiness information and celebrity secrets.
Following are some IP phone security strategiesand tips, from Cisco and two Cisco partners thatprovide VoIP security solutions and services.
Configure Dial Plans and User Profiles
Take advantage of features on your VoIP systemthat enable security. Essentially:
• Control voice network access by devicecertificate and/or user name and password.
• Restrict the types of calls allowed on thenetwork, by device, user, and other criteria,such as time of day.
Protect Your Voice Systems
Apply physical and logical protection, such as:
• Set up a firewall and intrusion preventionsystem (IPS) to monitor and filter authorizedand unauthorized VoIP traffic, and trackunusual voice activities.
• Lock voice servers physically, and logicallyfor administration.
• Centralise administration and use domainrestrictions and two-factor authenticationfor administrative access, including tocredentials, signaling data, and configurationfiles.
• Regularly install OS updates, and limitsoftware loading on phones.
Use VLANs to Segment Voice Traffic andSeparate It from Data Traffic
Some voice systems and switches support devicediscovery protocols and automatically assign IPphones to voice VLANs.
Encrypt Sensitive Voice Traffic
Apply encryption by segment, device, oruser; encrypting indiscriminately can result inexcessive network latency or introduce operationaloverhead and complexity.
Encrypt the signaling at your Internet gateway withSession Initiation Protocol (SIP) over TransportLayer Security (TLS); your service provider'sswitch fabric may do this.
Encrypt the media (packets) with protocols suchas SRTP.
Use VPNs for network connections by remotephones. This is especially important when HTTPSor SRTP is unavailable. Cisco AnyConnect®Security Mobility Client and site-to-site VPNs alsowork well in this role.
Implement Strict Security Policies with Users.
• Apply strong passwords to access thevoicemail inbox. Immediately change thedefault password to a strong password,then change it as often as your company'spolicy dictates for changing login and emailpasswords.
• Delete sensitive voicemail messages assoon as users have listened to them. Notstoring voicemails is the easiest and mosteffective way to protect them.
• Immediately report anomalies. You maynot know a phone has been hacked until anemployee reports an odd occurrence.
The Cisco Business Edition 6000S is designedspecifically to meet the needs of small businesses withup to 150 users. It provides all the essentialcommunication and collaboration capabilities you need.With Business Editions 6000S, you get an easy-to-deploy, manage, and use IP phone system, plus muchmore.
PBX SystemWhat is a PBX System?
The Next Generation of SmallOffice PBX Telephone Systems
Small office PBX telephone systems aren't whatthey used to be. In fact, they're much more
A conventional PBX requires two networks, one fordata and another for voice. However, today's smalloffice PBX telephone systems are often part of anadvanced unified communications solution. Thesesmall office PBX telephone systems run on InternetProtocol (IP) networks, the same network yourcompany uses for data and Internet connectivity.Instead of requiring two networks, next-generationsmall office PBX telephone systems only needone—which simplifies network management andadministration costs.
Unified Communications: IP PBX and More
Small businesses require specialised features tosupport their particular workflows. UnifiedCommunications Manager Express from Cisco is
designed specifically for small businesses. Itcombines an IP PBX with robust telephony featuresthat traditional phone systems can't deliver.
The benefits of Cisco Unified CommunicationsManager Express include:
• Increased productivity with applicationssuch as Cisco Unified CallConnector forMicrosoft Office, a presence-based toolthat provides call control, location, andstatus of other users
• Single number reach, which automaticallyforwards incoming calls to other phonesbased on your specifications
• An intuitive interface for easy installation andadministration
• The ability to easily expand the phonesystem as business needs change
• A phone and communications solution in asingle appliance that's low-cost, reliable,full-featured, and simple to deploy,administer, and maintain.
What is a PBXSystem?A PBX (Private Branch Exchange)shares and manages multiple lineswithin a company and automaticallyroutes incoming calls to specificextensions.
IP-based small office PBXtelephone systems are highlyprogrammable and can performsophisticated functions, such asautomatic call conferencing, click-to-call, and more.
For additional information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
5 Ways to Tune YourNetwork with a LANSwitchEffective switching is essential to handlinggrowing network traffic
1. Segment Your Network Logically, Using VLANs
A traditional flat network (which places all traffic ina single broadcast domain) can easily overloadswitch links. Instead, apply your switch's VLANfeatures to send traffic only where it needs to go,at the speed it needs to go.
You can use a variety of Layer 2 and Layer 3 VLANtypes to segment traffic. Many Cisco switches forsmall and midsized businesses offer all of thefollowing types of VLANs:
• Protocol, such as a VLAN dedicated to IPvoice or video traffic
• Devices, such as a VLAN for wirelessclients, a server or printer, or all theequipment on a building floor
• Port, such as a VLAN for a department orother group of users
• Guest, MAC address, and unauthenticatedtraffic
• Dynamic VLAN assignment that uses theend device's source MAC address to assign
switch ports to VLANs• Multicast VLAN Registration (MVR), which
organizes multicast traffic into a dedicatedVLAN while maintaining the users' otherVLANs. Internet Group ManagementProtocol (IGMP) Snooping limits the trafficto the devices that need it.
2. Provide the Needed Capacity
Deploy the processing power and bandwidth thatyour segments, applications, and users need. Toreduce latency, congestion, and collisions, applyswitch capacity capabilities such as:
• A fast engine: Nonblocking wire-speedsilicon chips. Switches that forward trafficat wire speed sometimes cost more but canstill make a difference in performance.
• Link Aggregation Control Protocol(LACP). This standard feature increasesavailable bandwidth by trunking ports.
• Gigabit bandwidth on LAN ports and
Need Speed?Here are 5Ways to TuneYour Networkwith a LANSwitchAny small or midsized business canuse LAN switching to sustain thespeeds and availability that usersneed. This presents five ways to doit, from experts at two CiscoCertified Partners that do it everyday.
For additional SMB networking information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply contact us
uplinks. It took a long time for links to gofrom 10/100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, but small andmid-sized businesses are now quicklymoving to 10 Gbps, and soon it will bemore. We recommend you review yourinfrastructure annually, and pace your CapExby planning a five-year lifecycle.
• Stack'em. If you can, stack your switchesto increase throughput and have themoperate as one device with a single IPaddress. The throughput of a stack of CiscoCatalyst 3850 Series Switches can be up to64 Gbps.
3. Apply Wire-Speed Routing Between VLANs
Inter-VLAN routing is necessary for any user orserver that uses multiple VLANs.
Use your switch, not your router software, to routeinter-VLAN traffic. A switch's hardware can do therouting, at wire speed. And offloading the routerallows it to better handle its WAN connectivity andfirewall functions, improving overall networkperformance.
Absolutely take advantage of both the static anddynamic IP routing capabilities in your switch.
4. Prioritise Applications and Apply TrafficShaping
Make the best use of your bandwidth by controllingaccess to it.
You can use the following switch features to setperformance parameters based on the traffic'simportance and sensitivity to jitter and latency; alsocheck to confirm that the connected devicessupport the feature:
• Prioritise applications by 802.1p/q tag (aLayer 2 switching capability)
• Prioritise applications by IP header(differentiated services code point(DSCP)/type of service (ToS), a Layer 3switching capability).
• Shape traffic to delay packets, using criteriasuch as bandwidth throttling or rate limiting.
5. Set Endpoint Parameters, PreferablyAutomatically
Set the switch's endpoint ports for optimalperformance, using parameters such as stormcontrol, number of devices allowed, quality ofservice (QoS), and VLANs.
A switch with smart ports can detect new devicesand use macros to configure many portparameters accordingly. Having automated QoSsettings for IP phones and other devices reallyhelps speed configuration, and you can alwaysadjust the default settings.
Cisco switches can also connect endpoints usingthe Cisco Discovery Protocol. It recognises Ciscodevices and pulls the data relevant for optimalperformance connections, fast problem solving,and efficient network management."
Integrate Your Switching, Reduce Expenses
Applying these five tips--in combination withSimple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) orother monitoring and management tools as well asswitch security features such as dynamic AddressResolution Protocol (ARP) inspection, IP SourceGuard, and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol(DHCP) Snooping to thwart attacks--can produceawesome network performance. And help yourcompany save money.
Move into the Fast Lane
When you need to speed up your network, CiscoCertified Partners can help you make adroitswitching and infrastructure moves--includingnetwork assessment and design, solution financingand implementation, and onsite support and/ormanaged services.
Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switch
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