If you’re thinking about upgrading your business IT infrastructure, you may have come across the term ‘enterprise networking’. This effective and efficient type of architecture is becoming increasingly popular, especially as the rise of cloud computing makes virtual collaboration more accessible.
In this article, we’ve explored exactly what enterprise networks are, as well as the different types to consider, the benefits of network computing, and what to consider if you’re building an enterprise network.
What is an enterprise network?
An enterprise network is a computing ‘network’ of inter-connected devices within an organisation. Traditionally, this would have typically referred to a collection of local devices within a business; but with the growth of cloud computing and remote work, the definition can now encompass a connected network across remote locations, and integrates cloud-based resources.
Your managed and maintained enterprise network provides a secure platform for communication, collaboration, and resource sharing between users across different departments, offices, and even countries.
Types of enterprise network infrastructure
There are a number of different types of enterprise network, including LAN, WAN, cloud-based, and hybrid.
Local networks
Local Area Networks, or LANs, refer to a collection of connected devices within a local environment. This is an enterprise network in the most traditional sense, with the scope limited to a single location. Notably, you can choose an Ethernet LAN, or wireless LAN.
Wide area networks
Wide Area Networks take things a step further and connect multiple LANs – allowing businesses to connect and collaborate across multiple locations through an internet connection.
Cloud-based networks
Cloud-based enterprise networks operate in much the same way as WANs (though are typically more flexible), but don’t require physical, on-premises hardware. Instead, a cloud provider manages and maintains the full network infrastructure, with users able to collaborate and connect over the internet – with anyone, anywhere.
Hybrid networks
Hybrid networks combine many features of LANs, WANs, and cloud networks, to offer a flexible and fully-scalable solution that leverages the benefits of on-premises and virtual infrastructure. It uses a combination of physical hardware and cloud-based services to optimise output.
Why use enterprise networking?
We’ve looked at what enterprise networks are, but why should you consider upgrading your existing infrastructure? Reading on, explore the benefits of enterprise networking, from collaboration and control to scalability and security.
Collaboration
Having an effectively-connected business prompts improved communication between employees and departments, irrespective of location. Connected through the network, users are also better-able to collaborate on projects and documents, in real time. The business benefit of enhanced teamwork and knowledge sharing is streamlined workflows, which often contributes to growth.
Productivity
Productivity is a natural consequence of enterprise networking. Where previously, users may have had to jump through hoops to access shared resources (i.e. files, applications, databases), employees now have the tools to work on any project within the network, whether in person or remotely. In most cases, this removes bottlenecks and hurdles, and irons out business inefficiencies.
Centralised management
A key benefit of enterprise networking is the way it effectively-streamlines the process of managing resources and devices across your business, by introducing a single, centralised point of control. This consolidated control removes the need for multiple points of management – eliminating a lot of network admin in the process.
Control
By introducing a centralised management system, and improving cross-company collaboration, you’re able to take stronger control over resources and activity – which contributes to enhanced performance. This increased control empowers you to more-efficiently manage your business infrastructure, reliably and effectively.
Cost-efficiency
Enterprise networking can significantly improve cost-efficiency across the board, which benefits your business’ bottom line. For instance, by having full view and control of resource allocation, you’re able to accurately provision, based on real-time demand and anticipated trends. Additionally, implementing a strong, connected network will likely allow you to consolidate existing systems, into a single, better-unified infrastructure – which can streamline operations and reduce overheads.
Scalability
A significant strength of enterprise networking is scalability (i.e. the ability to expand or contract resource utilisation depending on business demand), which is achievable through effective and practical network design. Once you’ve built a scalable enterprise network, you’ll enjoy improved cost-, performance-, and communication-efficiency as a direct result.
Crafting scale-friendly architecture can be complex, though, so it’s often worth getting in touch with an expert to make sure you’re suitably future-proofing your infrastructure.
Security
Building a solid and stable enterprise network can play a crucial role in safeguarding business data – which ultimately prevents unauthorised access and malicious attacks. Among other things, having a centralised control point makes it more straightforward to grant and revoke access to certain parts of your infrastructure, as well as deploy network-wide systems like firewalls, encryption, and threat response systems.
What to consider when building an enterprise network
Interested in learning how to build an enterprise network? We’ve outlined five considerations to make when designing your infrastructure.
1. Assess your business needs
First of all, you need to establish what your business goals are, and how upgrading your computing infrastructure will help you achieve objectives. If you’re considering building an enterprise network, first-determine the number of users, devices, and applications you’ll need to inter-connect, and whether you need to accommodate for future growth – if scalability is a priority, this is essential.
2. Design your network infrastructure
Once you’ve determined what type of computing you need, it’s important to consider the network design. This refers to the component architecture, and how your hardware and software interacts. As above, it’s important to consider scalability at this stage, and choose a logical infrastructure that complements future growth.
Plan cloud integration
During the network design stage, it’s worth considering how you can integrate cloud computing into your infrastructure. Integrating cloud-based services lets you unlock even more business potential, including boosting agility and innovation, flexibility, and efficiency.
3. Implement network components
So, you’ve successfully designed your enterprise network; the next step is implementation. Make sure your hardware is properly connected, devices are correctly configured, and software is fully-compatible.
4. Test your network
After implementing your enterprise network, take the time to test and troubleshoot your new infrastructure. Before fully-deploying the network, it’s important to make sure everything runs smoothly and as it should; if you encounter an issue, you can identify the root and resolve the problem.
5. Management and maintenance
After successfully deploying your new network, you’ll want to continually monitor its performance and address issues and complications as they crop up. Similarly, it’s important to keep on top of required software and hardware updates, regularly back up your data, and review security.
Managing and maintaining your complex infrastructure can be resource-intensive, so many businesses choose to outsource this to an expert consultant.
Interested in building an enterprise network?
If you’re interested in learning more about how to build an enterprise network, and upgrade your business’ IT infrastructure, get in touch with our team of experienced experts – we’ve decades of experience managing and maintaining virtual environments, and can discuss your bespoke requirements!
Alternatively, discover even more computing and cloud advice over on our blog, including the most common enterprise network problems.
