What is WLAN and how it works?

It is a pretty broad question and I am assuming we are talking about WiFi (the most common WLAN technology). So, in pretty high level terms =

There is a WiFi access point. This consists of a radio transmitter / receiver that is connected to an ethernet switch - usually there is a router attached to that switch also - and frequently that router is connected to the internet.

There is a WiFi interface on the ‘user device’ (laptop, phone, etc). This consists of an radio transmitter / receiver that is connected to an ethernet switch inside the device which is connected to the TCP/IP stack on the ‘user device’.

So … there is a protocol between the two radios for connecting them to one another … usually this starts with the Access Point broadcasting its presence, and the User Device selecting it to connect. Once the User does this, the protocol goes through several more steps for establishing & maintaining the connection. This is where any authentication & encryption might occur.

Once the connection is established, it appears to the ethernet switches on either end that they are connected to each other (which they are via the radio connection).

Everything after this is pretty much like normal Local Area Network / Ethernet / IP operations.A WLAN is a wireless computer network that links two or more devices using wireless communication. WLAN uses high frequency radio waves to form a local area network within a limited area. It allows users to access wider internet, while maintaining network connection. They are easy to install and use.WLAN transmit data from one point to other, by using nodes and access points.

An access point is station or a device or a router, through which data is transmitted and received. These APshelps in connectingusers within the network or multiple users linked to this AP or helps in interconnecting WLAN and wired network.

Nodes are connectionpoints that receive, create, store or send data along the distributed network routes. These have capability for transmitting data to other network nodes.

Highly efficient and advanced WLAN devices and solutions developed by Cisco Meraki are provided by Cisco Meraki partners in India

Two Types of Local Area Networks

There are two types of LANs: client/server LANs and peer-to-peer LANs.

Client/Server LANs consist of several devices (the clients) connected to a central server. The server manages file storage, printer access, and network traffic. A client can be a personal computer, tablet, or other devices that run applications. The clients connect to the server either with cables or through a wireless connection.Peer-to-Peer LANs don’t have a central server and cannot handle heavy workloads like a client/server LAN. On a peer-to-peer LAN, each personal computer and device share equally in running the network. The devices share resources and data through a wired or wireless connection to a router. Most home networks are peer-to-peer.

How to Use a LAN in the Home

A home LAN is a great way to create a connection between every device in your home including PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, printers, fax machines, and gaming devices. When your devices are connected to your Wi-Fi, you can share files privately with family members, print wirelessly from any device, and access data on other connected devices.

A home LAN can also be expanded to include home security systems, smart TVs, home environment controls, and smart kitchen devices. When these systems are added to the LAN, every system can be controlled from any device and location in the home.

If you have Wi-Fi internet in your home, you’re ready to set up a wireless home LAN network.

Service-level agreements

Service-level agreements I managed service providers

An MSP often provides its service offering under a service-level agreement, a contractual arrangement between the MSP and its customer that spells out the performance and quality metrics that will govern the relationship.

An SLA may be linked to an MSP's pricing formula. For example, an MSP may offer a range of SLAs to customers, with the customer paying a higher fee for higher levels of service in a tiered pricing structure.

Challenges of managed service providers

Regardless of pricing model, a key challenge for MSP business management is to set pricing low enough to entice customers to buy their services but high enough to maintain an adequate profit margin.

In addition to pricing, MSPs pay close attention to operating costs and the cost of maintaining skilled employees. Labor is typically an MSP's greatest expense. To keep labor costs in check and improve efficiency, most MSPs employ remote monitoring and management (RMM) software to keep tabs on clients' IT functions. RMM software lets MSPs remotely troubleshoot and remediate issues with servers and endpoint devices. With RMM, MSPs can manage numerous customers' IT systems simultaneously. MSPs may also use automated scripts to handle routine systems administration functions, such as checking hard disks for errors, without human intervention.

Another challenge MSPs face is the mainstream adoption of cloud computing. As more of their customers' IT infrastructure components migrate to the cloud, MSPs have had to find ways to manage hybrid cloud environments. MSPs also seek to provide their own cloud computing services or resell other cloud providers' capabilities, with cloud-based backup and disaster recovery (DR) a common entry point.

In addition, just becoming an MSP can prove challenging. The prospect of MRR has attracted many traditional solutions provider companies, such as VARs, to the MSP business model. However, would-be MSPs have struggled to establish themselves in the market. The MSP line of business calls for companies to adopt different performance metrics, technology infrastructure components and sales compensation programs, to name a few challenges. As a result, many MSPs derive revenue from business lines other than managed services, such as IT project work, break/fix business and on-site support. Pure-play MSPs are relatively rare in the IT services industry.

What MSPs are used for

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are typical MSP customers. Many smaller companies have limited in-house IT capabilities, so they may view an MSP's service offering as a way to obtain IT expertise. Larger enterprises may also contract with MSPs, however. For example, government agencies, facing budget pressure and hiring limitations, may contract with an MSP to supplement in-house IT staff.

What are different types of servers?

Different servers do different jobs, from serving email and video to protecting internal networks and hosting Web sites. Learn about the many types of servers used today.

Servers are often dedicated, meaning that they perform no other tasks besides their server tasks.  Different servers do different jobs, from serving email and video to protecting internal networks and hosting Web sites.

Server Types

This list categorizes the many different types of servers used in the marketplace today. 

Proxy Server

A proxy server sits between a client program (typically a Web browser) and an external server (typically another server on the Web) to filter requests, improve performance, and share connections.

Mail Server

Almost as ubiquitous and crucial as Web servers, mail servers move and store mail over corporate networks (via LANs and WANs) and across the Internet.

Server Platforms

A term often used synonymously with operating system, a platform is the underlying hardware or software for a system and is thus the engine that drives the server.

Web Server

At its core, a Web server serves static content to a Web browser by loading a file from a disk and serving it across the network to a user's Web browser. This entire exchange is mediated by the browser and server talking to each other using HTTP.

Application Server

Sometimes referred to as a type of middleware, application servers occupy a large chunk of computing territory between database servers and the end user, and they often connect the two.

Real-Time Communication Server

Real-time communication servers, formerly known as chat servers or IRC Servers, and still sometimes referred to as instant messaging (IM) servers, enable large numbers users to exchange information near instantaneously.

FTP Server

One of the oldest of the Internet services, File Transfer Protocol makes it possible to move one or more files securely between computers while providing file security and organization as well as transfer control.

Collaboration Server

In many ways, collaboration software, once called 'groupware,' demonstrates the original power of the Web. Collaboration software designed to enable users to collaborate, regardless of location, via the Internet or a corporate intranet and to work together in a virtual atmosphere.

List Server

List servers offer a way to better manage mailing lists, whether they be interactive discussions open to the public or one-way lists that deliver announcements, newsletters or advertising.

Telnet Server

A Telnet server enables users to log on to a host computer and perform tasks as if they're working on the remote computer itself. 

Open Source Server

From your underlying open source server operating system to the server software that help you get your job done, open source software is a critical part of many IT infrastructures.

Virtual Server

In 2009, the number of virtual servers deployed exceeded the number of physical servers. Today, server virtualization has become near ubiquitous in the data center.

Features and Advantages of Windows Dedicated Servers

1. Use the Hosting for Websites

By far the most popular use of a dedicated server is to use it for hosting websites. A dedicated server is necessary if you have a large intensive website and millions of website visitors each week.

I started with shared hosting for my website but quickly realized to get the full potential from the site I needed to pay for a dedicated server.

I will briefly describe the difference between shared and dedicated hosting.

With shared hosting, as the name suggests, you share the hosting with others. This means the bandwidth and disk space on the server is restricted. Go over the shared resources and the website is limited.

This can be disastrous. If your website is limited, visitors cannot get to the site. No visitors mean no sales.  With dedicated hosting, this is not an issue as your site is the only one on that server.

This there is no sharing of bandwidth and neither the disk space. There is a lot of space for your brand and site to grow online.

2. Use It for Backup

Speaking of large websites one of the ways in which I find a dedicated server useful is as back-up for my website.

Building up a successful business website takes a huge amount of time and money. There is nothing worse than finally reaping success with a website attracting thousands of visitors per day only to find the website goes down.

In some cases, the website might be hacked. It may become impossible to get it back up and running again. It is possible to lose not only the site but also all customers and income. It is possible to work around this scenario by making regular back-ups of the website. The ideal place to do so is on a dedicated server. I recommend making a backup of any website and this is high on my list of things to do with a dedicated server.

3. Use It for a Minecraft Server

Those who love playing multi-player games such as Minecraft, choose to use a dedicated server to use it for a Minecraft server.

While a dedicated server does come with a cost per month, a group of friends might want to share the cost to have their own Minecraft server to host their own game.

There are benefits to hosting games this way. For one there is minimal downtime in the game. Another is that a dedicated server offers optimal speed.

It is not as difficult to set up a dedicated server for Minecraft as one might think. In fact, I have written a guide to do so that anyone can follow.

4. Host a Personal Cloud Space

When I was considering the question of what to do with a dedicated server, a personal cloud space comes to mind.

The cloud has fast become the ultimate way to save and access data. The biggest benefit is that anything can be stored in the cloud, this includes:

• Documents
• Photographs
• Videos
• Presentations
• Spreadsheets
• E-mails and chat transcripts
• Calendars

Any business could benefit by offering employees access to a private cloud space. This is possible by paying for hosting on a dedicated server.

Project management through the cloud is a very good idea. This includes giving staff access to all of the above. What is even better about the cloud is that they have access to it through a variety of ways, the computers, smartphones, and tablets, both in and out of the office.

There are numerous project management tools available with some giving the option for data sync. Simply sign for dedicated server hosting and install the software of your choice and you have your own company cloud.

The 5 Major Benefits of Using a Managed Windows Dedicated server

Microsoft Leads the OS Industry

Microsoft has been developing operating systems for decades. Windows is the most thoroughly tested OS with tremendous resources having been invested on it. Eventually, Windows is a reliable, user-friendly OS.

Instant Accessibility

Use your server the moment it's purchased. In contrast to a bare-metal server that usually takes days to set-up, Windows Cloud Servers don't challenge your patience. More importantly, they enable you to instantly seize business opportunities.

Excellent Scalability

The cloud grows with you. You don't need to invest in a large server and take the risk of eventually not needing it or needing an even larger one. Windows Cloud Hosting allows you to remain flexible and respond quickly to an ever-changing business environment.

Active Community

With Windows Server being such a popular OS, your questions can be answered within minutes. With a quick search you can access thousands of free tutorials, guides and forums. An eager worldwide community is always present to help you overcome challenges.

Features of High-Availability Windows Dedicated Servers

High-Availability has been a quite complex and expensive feature. IT managers used to spend great amounts of money, time and effort on managing multiple servers from different providers. MassiveGRID’s innovative architecture makes High-Availability easy, cost-effective and time-saving. Our Windows Dedicated Servers are setup in fully redundant clusters, including regional fail-over.

Dedicated hosting service

A dedicated hosting service, dedicated server, or managed hosting service is a type of Internet hosting in which the client leases an entire server not shared with anyone else. This is more flexible than shared hosting, as organizations have full control over the server(s), including choice of operating system, hardware, etc. There is also another level of dedicated or managed hosting commonly referred to as complex managed hosting. Complex Managed Hosting applies to both physical dedicated servers, Hybrid server and virtual servers, with many companies choosing a hybrid (combination of physical and virtual) hosting solution. There are many similarities between standard and complex managed hosting but the key difference is the level of administrative and engineering support that the customer pays for – owing to both the increased size and complexity of the infrastructure deployment. The provider steps in to take over most of the management, including security, memory, storage and IT support. The service is primarily proactive in nature. Server administration can usually be provided by the hosting company as an add-on service. In some cases a dedicated server can offer less overhead and a larger return on investment. Dedicated servers are hosted in data centers, often providing redundant power sources and HVAC systems. In contrast to colocation, the server hardware is owned by the provider and in some cases they will provide support for operating systems or applications

Using a dedicated hosting service offers the benefits of high performance, security, email stability, and control. Due to the relatively high price of dedicated hosting, it is mostly used by websites that receive a large volume of traffic.

Operating system support

Availability, price and employee familiarity often determines which operating systems are offered on dedicated servers. Variations of Linux and Unix (open source operating systems) are often included at no charge to the customer. Commercial operating systems include Microsoft Windows Server, provided through a special program called Microsoft SPLA. Red Hat Enterprise is a commercial version of Linux offered to hosting providers on a monthly fee basis. The monthly fee provides OS updates through the Red Hat Network using an application called Yum. Other operating systems are available from the open source community at no charge. These include CentOS, Fedora Core, Debian, and many other Linux distributions or BSD systems FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD.

Support for any of these operating systems typically depends on the level of management offered with a particular dedicated server plan. Operating system support may include updates to the core system in order to acquire the latest security fixes, patches, and system-wide vulnerability resolutions. Updates to core operating systems include kernel upgrades, service packs, application updates, and security patches that keep the server secure and safe. Operating system updates and support relieves the burden of server management from the dedicated server owner.