1. The "I'll do it myself" installation - Networks are complicated and some companies install their own LANs, without sufficient experience or knowledge. Our advice? Hire a professional trained in network design and installation to walk you through.
2. The "bargain basement" approach - Shopping for the cheapest hardware & operating system may ease the initial pain of investing in networking technology, but bargain shopping will cost you when you run into the inevitable incompatibilities. Make sure you buy from reputable hardware and software vendors committed to supplying adequate support.
3. Using an untested reseller or system integrator - Too many people are orphaned by a dealer, VAR (value added reseller), or consultant when things don’t go right. To save your self from that fate get references, particularly from companies that have implemented a LAN in a similar environment.
4. Poor planning and design - Most networks just happen. But as the network gets bigger and takes on a more critical role, the lack of planning becomes all too evident. Our suggestion is that issues such as users account information, directory structures, and deciding who has access to different types of data should be hammered out when the network is installed with an eye for future growth.
5. Unrealistic expectations - Most organizations install a network expecting it to be a quick and easy process. Neither is ever true. The payoff might be months – or years- away.
6. Assuming everything will work when the last wires are connected - Rarely is the case, even if you have got a professional network installer handling the project. The lesson? Don’t move your strategic applications over too quickly. Assume you will have a shakedown period while all the bugs worked out.
7. Networks maintain themselves, right? - One of the most serious mistakes a company can make is assuming that everyone can manage the LAN. Every network-regardless of its size-requires the ongoing attention of a trained network administrator. Backups, application installation and maintenance, management of users’ accounts, and hardware and software compatibility are just a few of the issues the network manager will have to deal with almost daily.
8. Lack of user training - Many companies do not realize the need to train users how to work efficiently in a network environment. Instead users are simply given a password and shown how log on to the network. But, users need to be schooled in issues such as dealing with shared peripherals and shared applications.
9. Improper backup - A major source of trouble for networks of any size is a failure to follow proper backup procedures. Intermediate backups should be done regularly-nightly, ideally-and with proper redundancy. Full backup should be done as often as possible. Don’t ignore menus and batch files, you can spend hours configuring systems.
10. Disaster recovery? We'll think about that tomorrow - Every company needs a comprehensive disaster recovery plan, but it is particularly critical when your business depends on the smooth operation of the network. Key issues include the impact of the system going down, the amount of time required to get the network back up and running, and designing an individual or individuals who will be responsible for implanting the recovery plan.