Network hardware and software

Networking with MYOB Accounting Plus Overview > An introduction to networks > Network hardware and software

Today's LANs are powerful, flexible and easy to use, but they incorporate many sophisticated technologies that must work together flawlessly. For a LAN to benefit an organisation, it must be designed to meet the organisation's changing communications requirements. Building a LAN is a process of choosing different hardware and software components and matching them together so they meet your current needs and are capable of expanding with your growing business.

Fortunately, there's a growing number of all-inclusive and inexpensive "network-in-a-box" solutions on the market that simplify your decision making process. When you purchase such a package, you receive all the necessary hardware and software you need to connect your company's computers.

Not everyone will want to purchase a network-in-a-box package; there may be some situations that lend themselves to buying individual network components instead. Even if you do purchase an all-inclusive product, it's probably a good idea anyway to learn about the individual components of a network and how they function together. The following sections will discuss these items.

Network interface cards

networking:network interface cards;network interface cardsNetwork interface cards (NICs) are one of the essential parts to a network. Network interface cards work with your network software to send and receive messages on the network. Each computer that you want to connect to the network must have a network interface card installed in it. Network interface cards are available for desktop and laptop computers.

Types of network interface cards

You have a few choices when you shop for network interface cards. If you wish to set up a simple Ethernet network, you can purchase standard 10MBps cards for your computers. If you're in the market for faster performance, Fast Ethernet cards (100MBps) are available. There are also special 10/100MBps cards that allow you to start your network at the 10MBps Ethernet speed and upgrade to the quicker 100MBps Fast Ethernet type later without forcing you to purchase new cards.

Installing network interface cards

Installing an Ethernet network interface card is as easy as installing any other type of card-simply insert the card into one of the computer's expansion slots. Before you become dismayed at the thought of opening up your computer case, keep in mind there's a possibility that you may be able to avoid any installation process at all; many new Windows computers are now pre-equipped with an Ethernet network interface card. If you're shopping for a new computer, you might want to check to whether a network interface card is part of the computer's standard features.

After the interface card is installed, you connect the computer to the network by plugging one end of a network cable into the card. The other end of the cable connects to the rest of the network. We'll discuss network cables in the next section.

What type of network interface card works best for Accounting Plus?

Since we recommend that you use the Ethernet or Fast Ethernet LAN technology, you have a choice between three types of network interface cards: 10 MBps (Ethernet only), 10/100 MBps (Ethernet with the option to upgrade to Fast Ethernet) or 100 MBps (Fast Ethernet).