WLAN

SD-WAN – is it something you should look at?

SD-WAN stands for Software Defined – Wide Area Networks.   This system grew out of the routing technique called MPLS – Multiprotocol Label Switching.   MPLS is a routing technique in telecommunications networks that directs data from one node to the next based on labels rather than network addresses. Whereas network addresses identify endpoints the labels identify established paths between endpoints.   (Had enough tech talk?)

As internal networking has grown over the years the systems have become Software Defined Networks (SDN).  SD-WAN can be seen as SDN for the WAN. It represents, arguably, the most popular and widely deployed use case in SDN. The SDN model became popular for abstracting network infrastructure in the data center and other sections within the enterprise perimeter. SD-WAN played a similar role but needed to abstract infrastructure elements that were diverse in terms of link types, providers, and geographies. Since it crossed the enterprise perimeter, it needed a robust security component as well. 

The traditional model of backhauling all traffic from branch offices to the data center for robust security inspection is no longer optimal as it wastes a lot of bandwidth and adds latency, ultimately impairing application performance like VoIP. There is a real need for a better way to send traffic directly over the internet from branch locations to trusted SaaS and cloud-based applications while maintaining compliance with enterprise security mandates. 

An SD‑WAN assures consistent application performance and resiliency, automates traffic steering in an application-driven manner …

5 Tips for Programming a WLAN Security Setting

A wireless network offers a myriad of benefits to small businesses that are not only limited to reducing costs. From facilitating connections to both wired and wireless devices to instant access to the Internet from anywhere in the office, the perks of utilizing WLAN are plenty. Setting up a wireless LAN is also easier and less expensive than a wired connection, which explains why so many businesses are fans of this technology.

Despite the advantages, the security of a wireless network is something to take seriously. Because of all the network equipment including Wireless Routers and access points along with dozens of relevant configurations, even a slight slip up of a configuration may lead to a massive breach of security.
Five tips for programming a WLAN security setting
To ensure complete safety of the wireless network, one can make certain changes to their WLAN configuration. By following these simple yet overlooked steps, any business can improve the level of security of their network:

1. Change all Usernames and Passwords

Believe it or not, one of the most common reasons of network security breach happens due to people forgetting to modify the default username and password. The SSID (Service Set Identifier) by default often happens to be the name of the service provider and a preset password which is “password”. Hackers are aware that users often forget to change the SSID setting from default, and so get easy access to the network configuration. It’s important that …

The Basics of a Small Business WLAN

The way desktop computing is going, wireless communication is almost a natural assumption, but it still is really a leap forward from the typical office network administration. Fortunately, for small businesses, a wireless local area network or (WLAN) is both easier and cheaper to set up than traditional network administration, which makes it very tempting for bootstrap startups. Unfortunately, there are also key risks that need to be addressed as well (traffic management, security, data integrity in transit, bandwidth and speed).
Costs
Again, WLANs are a godsend to small businesses on a budget, just as much as cloud computing if not more. So, no surprise, many small companies have immediately adapted the idea, constructing their first computer networks on the backbone of wireless routers around the office and a few resource servers taking in and outputting everything through air signals versus Ethernet cabling. However, as soon as a few more than two or three heavy users hit the network the limitations become apparent; wireless routing can’t handle big throughput without serious bandwidth accommodations.

The addition of access points, new employees, more floors and distance and even physical building barriers all add to an increasing amount of signal resistance and slowing things down. Some of this can be circumvented for a while with configuration and placement of more routers and boosters, but after awhile it becomes a full-time job just trying to keep the ship running at every user node.
WLAN Controllers
A key piece of equipment every small business WLAN …

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Millennia Technologies is a full-service voice and data solutions company for midsize to enterprise customers. Specializing in UCaaS , CCaaS , Cybersecurity , IoT , Voice , Cloud , and more. Our passion is firmly rooted in showing clients how well-designed data solutions can significantly accelerate business operations, and then celebrating their goal-shattering successes.