Protocol has the expertise and resources to help your organization move large volumes of data rapidly over long distances though a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN). Your network users receive the information they need on time, reliably and at the lowest possible cost. A poorly installed Local Area Network or Wide Area Network can lead to chaos rather than communication.

What are LAN’s and WAN’s?

Local Area Networks

A Local Area Network (LAN) is established whenever two or more computers are connected. A LAN is usually limited to inside a building. The most common protocol used in a LAN is Ethernet. In today’s networks, computers are not the only machines networked. A LAN can network PC’s, printers, scanners, wireless devices, plotter, etc… these devices are called a node. The most common method to create a LAN is to install copper cable. The copper cable is terminated at both ends and a device (a hub or switch) is installed at one to transfer the data to the node. A LAN can use fiber optic cable or be wireless.

The IEEE, under the 802.xx documents, defines Ethernet. Ethernet transmissions can send and received at different bandwidth speeds such as: 10BaseT, 10BaseFL, 100BaseT, 100BaseTX, 100BaseFX, 1000BaseT and 1000BaseFX. There others but these are the most common.

• Wide Area Network
  A Wide Area Network (WAN) is established whenever two or more LANs are connected. A WAN can be in a building, between buildings or between cities. The components of a WAN can include routers, firewall, modems or wireless devices. The WAN can utilize T-1, ISDN’s, wireless, PTL, Internet, etc… to make the WAN connection. The existing equipment, established connections or the requirements of the data being sent determine each WAN connection.
  
  Protocol Services provided LAN/WAN:
  • Data Communications
       -Cabling of Category5e & 6 and Voice
            Network Design
            Installation
            Testing
       -Fiber Optic Cabling
            Network Design
            Installation
            Termination
            Splicing
            Testing
       -Wireless
             Surveys
             Design
             Installation
  • Systems Integration
       -Ethernet Electronics
            Design
            Sales
            Installation
  • Maintenance
       -Service Contracts
       -Network Remediation
  • Documentation of Network Infrastructure
       -Audits of Existing Networks
       -System Testing
            Network Snifters
            Copper and Fiber Optic
            Wireless
       -Legacy Products
       -Certification
       -CAD Drawings