Demarc Extensions Indiana

It has been my experience that most smaller businesses have a hard time making the move from a simple Windows Workgrouped architecture to a Windows Server Domained architecture.  Often the move is dictated by a business application that requires a server-client environment to run.  In our small business server Indiana practice, we are able to show business owners many other benefits to further justify the expense.  It is always an educational process.  For some business environments, that learning curve is steep but not a task that our small business server Indiana implementation crew shies away from.

Microsoft started to aid the small business community when it released its Small Business Server (SBS) product.  Originally released as Microsoft Small Business Server 2000, the product has undergone drastic improvements over the past few releases with its newest release being Small Business Server (SBS) 2008.  The product included easy to use wizards that aided small business owners in basic server administration.  The product also provided in a single package all the major items that a small business would require in a server.

The following are five (5) reasons a business owner should deploy a Microsoft Small Business Server in their business today.

1.  Centralized Security and Administration

The SBS platform comes equipped with easy to use wizards that allow less technical staff members to easily administrate network resources and user accounts.  The system sends out daily, weekly, and/or monthly update reports to administrators detailing potential security risk and resource utilization.  Creation of security policies to limit access to business sensitive data such as accounting and finance files where as general access can be give to group drives.

2.  Remote Web Workplace

This feature allows users to login into their computers remotely via a web browser without installing additional programs.  It allows for secured access to company resources and email.  It also allows for secured remote administration of the server.

3.  Windows SharePoint Services

This is Microsoft's Integrated Internet solution to access company resources via web browser.  There are many premade templates available to allow for Intranet style sites to be created for the SMB market.  There are even Help Desk and Document center templates available.  This allows access to once Enterprise only level functionality at the SMB market segment at little to no additional price.  It also provides out of the box solutions for workflow automation and approval needs.  If you are tired of emailing around a word document for multiple people to edit and approve, the you would really enjoy the additional control offered in version tracking by a SharePoint site.

4.  Exchange Server

This is an Enterprise level email service that allows for the SMB market to host their own email, share contacts and calenders across the company network and integrates with Office Outlook.  The Exchange Server can also be used in a PoP Extension configuration to minimize outside security threats.

5.  Centralized Shared Files, Printers and Backup

Storing data on a single hard drive workstation as typically found in a workgrouped environment can be disastrous and confusing.  A centralized shared file system as provided by in a Small Business Server allows for individual private folders and public folders that can be easily accessed from any computer/users with the proper credentials.  This simplifies administration, backup and disaster recovery.

Working with clients in our Small Business Server Indiana practice allows us help business elevate their game.  Efficient use and implementation of technology such as the Small Business Server Indiana helps our SMB clients be more productive and better secured towards the challenges and threats of tomorrow.

If you would like to learn more about how our Small Business Server Indiana solutions could help your business, then please contact me at bizsupport@tincg.com.  I look forward to working with you.

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Does your company have multiple facilities within a few miles of each other that require data/voice communication connectivity between them?

I've come across several situations where companies opt to pay reoccurring monthly fees to the local Telco carrier for a Point-to-Point (PtP) T1, because they most likely didn't know of other solutions available to them.  Although one solution does not fit all, I wanted to make you aware of some alternative connectivity solutions which saved our clients several thousand dollars over traditional carrier connectivity products.

Private PtP Wireless Network Solutions

My wireless network solutions Indiana consulting and implementation practice takes proven, carrier grade wireless network solutions to the business market.  One project we did last year helped a manufacturing plant in Indianapolis connect their sales office to the main building located 3/4 mile away.  A PtP T1 from the phone company would have cost them $350-450/month for a 36 month term and would have only yielded them 1.5 Mbps upload and download speeds.  The PtP wireless solution we implemented for them provided 20-25 Mbps of upload and download speeds at a 35% cost reduction over the same 36 month term.  At month 37, the PtP wireless system is paid for minus normal maintenance, so our client's Return on Investment (ROI) will rapidly excell from then on through the life of the equipment.

Commercial carriers have been using wireless solutions for decades.  Today's market offers affordable licensed and unlicensed radio solutions.  I often provide WISP business consulting clients both the business case and technical support required to implement wireless network solutions.  These systems can and have been deployed in private systems where connectivity for both voice and data are required between multiple facilities.

If you are looking for more affordable alternatives to keep multiple facilities connected, then benefit from our wireless network solutions Indiana experience.  Getting started is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. An extensive site survey is required of all involved facilities
2. A path study will need to be completed by our engineering staff
3. A feasibility study will be made to determine cost per alternative options

If you are interested in learning more about these and other alternative connectivity strategies, then call me at (317) 831-0704 or email me at cwhaley@tincg.com to get more information.

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Just because you order a T1, Business xDSL, or even DS3 circuit, doesn't mean that the carrier will deliver the circuit to your business suite.  The phone company is only responsible for getting the circuit to their demarc location in your building.  In the case of leased circuits such as T1s and DS3s, our demarc extensions Indiana services are commonly required but often overlooked until the circuit is actually delivered.

What is a Demarc?

The word Demarc is short for Demarcation Point which is a catch all phrase for the more technical name called the Network Interface Device (NID).  It is at this point where the phone company or "carrier's" network/wiring meets the customer's network/wiring.  Most people could identify it at their home by the grayish color plastic box that hangs on the outside wall of their house as shown below (following picture is from broadbandreports.com)

In the residential realm, the network is typically already extended into the house so no additional work is needed.  That is not always the case in the business world.  As we go to setup clients in new locations or if we add a new service, our DSL setup Indiana technicians often have to extend the DSL circuit into the client's suite from a centralized demarc point in the building.  If it is multi-story building or high-rise building, then our demarc extensions Indiana crews often extend the demarc up several floors and then into the clients suite.  If the client is lucky, we can sometimes utilize existing wiring but even that requires additional time to tone and test the wiring.

Demarc extensions for T1 and DS3 circuits are the norm rather than the exception.  Always budget at least an extra $250 for customer premise wiring/demarc extensions to be on the safe side when ordering a new T1 circuit.  DS3 circuits can be a completely different ball game, so I'll go into them further in future articles.

The demarc point for a T1 circuit is called a SmartJack.  The SmartJack device will typically be installed in a common Telco Equipment area within your building.  An example of one is shown in the picture to the right.  This picture shows four different SmartJack cards installed in the cabinet.  A Cat5 cable can be plugged into the appropriate port at the bottom that corresponds with your particular T1 circuit.  Standard Cat5 cable can be used to extend the demarc of several hundred feet, but for runs over 150' special programming of the T1 card in your router will be necessary.  It is also good to note where the SmartJack is located in your building and to note which card is your circuit.  There are red/amber/green warning lights on these cards that can warn of potential problems with the circuit.

Please note that the SmartJack cabinet as shown in the picture to the right, typically serves multiple tenants in your building.  Only qualified persons should unplug cables from the SmartJack.

In instances where a T1 is delivered to a residential dwelling or a single unit business location, carriers may opt to install an outdoor SmartJack unit which serves as the demarc location.  Our demarc extensions Indiana crews typically encounter these type of SmartJacks on clients who have T1s delivered to their home office or residential dwelling.  The advantage to an outside SmartJack is that it allows for easy 24/7 access by the carrier's technicians.  Our demarc extensions Indiana crews typically utilize special UV protected and moisture resistant Cat5 cable when extending the demarc.  Again it is good to note where the SmartJack for your T1 is located.  Unfortunately, the outdoor SmartJack enclosures typically do not offer easily accessible observation windows for noting warning lights on the SmartJack card as does the indoor SmartJack option.  If you are given the option of going with an indoor or outdoor SmartJack, I would recommend selecting the Indoor option.  Access limitations can easily be overcome.  The outdoor options brings into play another unpredictable element called weather which can reduce the reliability of your circuit.

The time to plan for a demarc extension is before the actual circuit order is placed.  Our demarc extension Indiana crew will work with you estimate the associated costs of the demarc extension before the circuit order is placed.  Proper planning for items like this can mitigate surprise costs the next time you order a new Internet circuit.

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