LOCAL AREA NETWORKING (LAN)

Local Area Networking is the method of connecting and sharing network devices over a shared media.  Local Area Networking is essential for all office environments, regardless of their size.  Because every business environment has unique requirements, we offer free on-site consultation before network recommendations are made.

VR Associates provides the following LAN solutions:

1.    Network Analysis & Design

Network Analysis and Design is the detailed planning of specific resources that will be deployed for each Enterprise network.  Network planning allows our organization to design a Network Architecture that will accommodate the present and future growth needs of Enterprise networks.

Network Analysis & Design also provides a resource for obtaining and maintaining critical Inventory Management and Resource Management data.

2.    Network Server Deployment and Support

Network Servers are an important component of any network deployment.  In general, a server is a network computer that provides services to other computers on the network.  This system handles most of the workload and is normally the most powerful system on the network.

3.    PC Workstation Support and Upgrades

INTERNET ACCESS/NETWORK SECURITY

Connecting your Enterprise to the Internet is just the first step.  Now that you have access to the world via your Desktop Computer, you can begin to take advantage of the limitless information resources the Internet has to offer.  Your network will serve as a way to disperse this new information and allow your company to benefit from a cost effective integrated Internet access solution.

Once your business is connected to the Internet, there is also the potential for your network to be exposed to an assortment of threats that can compromise your Enterprise network.  IT executives have experienced an ever-increasing need for more vigilant security in recent years.  The focus of most security applications is the threat of external attacks, but there is also the threat of internal attacks that cannot be ignored.

VR Associates provides the following Internet Access and Network Security Solutions.

1.      Internet Access via xDSL, T1 – T3, OC3 – OC192 access speeds

2.      Network Security via stateful Firewall systems such as CheckPoint FW-1, Cisco Pix and WatchGuard Firebox

3.      Network Security via router Firewall systems such as Cisco Router series 2500 – 12000 and Netopia R9100 series

VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKING (VPN)

Businesses have been searching for cost effective ways to share corporate resources between remote offices, virtual customers and extranet partners. 

These connections most often were made over expensive point to point leased line media such as T1-3, OC3-192 and Frame Relay connections. 

VR Associates utilizes VPN technology to address these types of business requirements.  Virtual Private Networking leverages your office Internet connection and router/firewall equipment to create virtual point-to-point connections between business locations.  Corporate data destined for remote offices uses this connection for transport.  This virtual connection is secured by the usage of authentication and encryption technology to prevent “hackers” from stealing confidential information.

Normal Internet traffic does not need to be encrypted so it will not use the virtual connection.  This traffic flows through the Router/Firewall normally and is allowed or denied based on the configured filter list.

VR Associates provides the following VPN Solutions:

1.    Inter-Office (Intranet) VPN

This solution provides a cost effective way to provide secure inter-office communication. 

2.    Work from Home

This solution provides a cost effective way to provide a secure connection between corporate office locations and employee home offices.  Home users use pcAnywhere to control their office PC from their home office workspace.  This allows employees to work efficiently and effectively while in the comfort of their home office.

3.    Management VPN

This solution provides a cost effective way to provide our customers with remote network support.  On-site technical support can be a costly endeavor.  Through the use of the Management VPN many networking problems can be resolved remotely.  Remote, real-time network support can be provided at reduced rates because the VPN eliminates the need for a technician to travel to your location.   

4.    Telecommuter VPN (Coming Soon)

This solution provides traveling employees to securely connect to the Enterprise network directly from their laptop computer.  This is accomplished using client VPN software such as the PPTP client on Windows based computers.  Client VPN sessions can be established over any Internet access method.

DISASTER RECOVERY

Disaster Recovery is one of the most overlooked components of Network Design.  As your business begins to leverage the advantages of computer technology, measures need to be taken to recover these systems in the wake of a system failure.

There are many levels of preparation when it comes to designing a Disaster Recovery solution.  VR Associates provides the following solutions:

1.    Server Disaster Recovery

All Network Servers are to be designed using redundant hardware such as hard drives, processors and network interface cards.  This configuration allows your business to continue operating in the wake of a server hardware failure. 

All Network Servers are designed for system High Availability.  This means that your server system is configured to continue operating even if it experiences a hardware fault.

2.    Symantec Ghost

The average time to completely restore a problematic PC is 5+ hours.  This is an optimistic outlook taking into consideration that the process of restoring the PC begins immediately after it fails.  What happens if you have to wait for an on-site visit from your technical support company or ship your PC to the manufacturer for repair?  This can equate to days of lost productivity for the affected user compounded by the potential for lost data due to improper backups.

VR Associates utilizes Symantec Ghost software to image PC workstations.  This allows your business to store carbon copy images of employee workstations on the network.

When a PC fails, a fresh image can be copied to the workstation and the PC will be operational within less than one hour.  This includes all applications, business profiles, etc.

3.    Tape Backup System

VR Associates recommends that a Tape Backup system be included in all network designs.  The Tape Backup can be internal to the Network Server or an external device.

All PC workstations will be configured to store business and personal data on the Network Server.  The Tape Backup System will be configured to backup data from selected directories on the Server.