Common Reasons Why Office Networks Fail And How To Combat Them

The vast majority of offices these days depend on computer networks in order to function. This means that if you are thinking of setting up one, you would need to find a way of reducing the chances of network failures adversely affecting the performance of your business. In a world where business is increasingly dependent on such networks, making sure that you plan on using them well is important.

This means that when you are setting up the network for the first time, you need to cater to the possibility of a number of outages that may affect the system. This is important because it will help you figure out how to avoid them in the first place. For this to work, you need to understand the various ways in which a network outage can occur.

The types of downtime you can encounter

In an office environment, there are two main types of downtime you can come across: planned and unplanned. Planned downtime occurs when the network goes down on account of service or maintenance that has been predetermined. This type of downtime is normally scheduled when the network is not very busy, such as over the weekends or when the network is not in use during the day. If your network has to have downtime, this would be the most desirable type since it means that you can control it.

The other type of downtime, unplanned downtime, normally occurs on account of a fault in the system. This is one of the most disruptive forms of downtime, and should be avoided as much as possible. The goal of proper network design aims to reduce the risk of unplanned downtime.

What are some of the common causes of unplanned downtime?

There are many things that can lead to network downtime, from user error to a fault in the hardware. However, there are some causes that are notoriously common, and you need to keep them in mind when you are planning on setting up the network. Doing this will enable you to drastically reduce the chances of having the network fail you. These include:

• Hardware failures: You will need hardware such as cables and routers to make the system function. Having a problem with this will definitely make the network malfunction. Some of the factors that can lead to a hardware-associated problem include using the wrong type of hardware as well as misuse of the same. For instance, the storage of a router in an area where it’s likely to be affected by the elements will lead to a failure of the network.

• Link failures: There are many things that could lead to a failure of the links between one part of the network and the rest. For instance, a cut in the fibers or a congestion of the network could result in lack of access to some of the resources within the system. This is the second most common cause of network failure, and statistics show that it’s responsible for around 32% of all such failures.

• Problems with the router: Specific router problems are a common cause of network failure. Some of the issues that might arise include poor configuration or a problem with software and hardware upgrades. This means that when you are making the decision on which routers to use in the office, you should be very careful about the process.

There are many other reasons why a corporate network would not work well, but the above are some of the most common.

What can you do to prevent them?

After you know the common problems leading to network failure, it becomes fairly easy to figure out what to do to avoid them. Some of the specific fixes include:

• Hardware issues: The best way to avoid hardware-related failure is by carefully identifying the needs of the company and getting hardware that can serve such needs. You might need to consult a company that provides reliable IT services in San Jose before you even decide on what to buy, so that they can help you make the decision. Also consider doing proper maintenance on the hardware as well.

• Link issues: Problems with links can be prevented by having the correct approach towards selecting links for your network. Make sure that the needs of the office are correctly assessed so that you can get a network type that will not be congested. Simple things such as placement of cables in areas where they are unlikely to be interfered with will also result in a lower chance of cuts.

By doing the above, you may not completely eliminate the chances of the system going down. However, you will reduce the frequency with which this happens, so that you never have to worry about it more than you should. The fact that network downtime can have an effect on profits should be additional motivation to get this done.