HomeThe main page and intro to Rick and Toby, plus a map to our location.

SalesOur latest special pricing, plus notes on systems and a non-functional (for now) order page.

• SystemsCheck out our latest computer systems. Usually we have specs, pictures and descriptions of something interesting.
• SpecialsIt's hit or miss. We list peripherals that we have made good buys on that we can pass on to our customers.
• OrderingWe do not have an order page up yet. We are still working with a vendor on this one. May not happen soon.

NetworksHow to design a network, notes on local DSL vendors, growing to a larger network and backup strategies

• DSL SetupHow to set up a home or small office network on DSL or cable modem, with suggestions for router settings and procedures.
• DesignIf you need a more sophisticated network than just a simple file sharing one, we can design one for you.
• BackupProbably the most important topic related to computers. How many of you backup? Must reading.

ISPA list of our dialup phone numbers, info on DSL in our area and how to set up your email account on our server.

• Dial-upSetup instructions for our dialup service as well as a list of phone numbers that work with our system.
• BroadbandSome suggestions regarding the selection of DSL and other providers of Internet connections.
• EMail SetupNow to set up your mail program to work with our mail server.

Web ServicesHow to point your domain to our servers, our web hosting services, how we design web pages for our customers (with examples of actual sites) and maintaining a web site.

• Web HostingHave your web site hosted on our server. Here are the reasons why it is better than doing it yourself.
• Web DesignThis link will take you offsite to our design studio where we discuss creating web pages and show samples of our work.
• MaintenanceDescribes how we can perform web site maintenance for your site and why it is important to keep your web site up-to-date.

ResourcesOur eletter, some web sites we find useful, some articles we have written on specific help topics and an introduction to Ventura County's largest and most useful computer user group.

• E-LetterOur monthly blog and E-Letter. Subscribe to receive a copy in your email or just come back here to read our latest.
• Help SitesSome sites we find useful, some help articles and a bit more.
• User GroupThis will take you offsite to the Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG) web site where you can read about the best resource for learning about computers in the county.

Network Design

For home and small business users, network design has been pretty simple until recently. Now there are many more choices, more ways of doing things and more ways to mess things up.

The basic network connected to the Internet uses a router as a hub. The router is connected to the DSL or cable modem and all the computers on the network plug into the router. The 4-port router can be found at virtually all computer stores. If you need to connect more than 4 computers, you can purchase an 8 port router or purchase a switch of virtually any size and uplink it (connect the switch) to the router. Effectively, all the computers, whether plugged into the router or switch will be connected to each other and the Internet.

But what if the computers are all in different rooms and it isn't desirable to run wires throughout? What then? Wireless?

But before you think wireless is the solution to all your problems, be aware that it introduces several problems all its own. First, in stock form, anyone driving down the street with a laptop can hijack your Internet connection. Worse, they are inside your firewall and can play havoc with your network, dropping viruses and trojans on computers you thought were protected by your firewall. If you have wireless, security must be addressed. There are several possible solutions to this, with more coming every day. But however it is addressed, it must be addressed from day one.

Secondly, a wireless network is considerably slower than a wired one, from 1/10 to half the speed of a standard wired network. If you are connected mainly for Internet access, it's not much of a problem as all the wireless systems sold today are faster than any standard Internet connection.

Thirdly, there are situations where a wireless system simply won't work. There are three standards being sold today: 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n (more about this one later). VCC has installed and then had to uninstall several 802.11b networks in houses where the computers were only two rooms away. Fortunately, 802.11b is going away fairly rapidly. Just be sure to avoid it on the closeout aisle. 802.11g is really the only standard being sold today. It is backwards compatible with 802.11b, so even if you have a laptop with 802.11b, it is better to get an 802.11g router. The 802.11n isn't yet a standard, it is only a proposed standard, so most manufacturers use terms like "with RangeBooster" or "Super G with MIMO" to identify it. Currently, no two manufacturers are implementing it in compatible fashion. In order to get any benefit from 802.11n you have to buy all equipment from one manufacturer. VCC generally doesn't recommend the pre-802.11n equipment because of the lack of flexability. But there are circumstances that require it.

Fourthly, how does your site print? If you weren't networked before, you probably had one printer connected to each computer. Since you can print to any printer on a network, it makes sense to install fewer printers and make them better quality. Perhaps you'll want a good laser printer for high-speed black and white and a good-quality inkjet for color. If you have the printers plugged into computers, you'll have to have the computer on to print, so you may be better off with either networked printers or network print servers that can handle your parallel or USB printers. Several are available at reasonable prices.

Fifthly, how are you going to manage backups? This is important enough that it merits its own page.

Most people will want to keep most of what they currently have but plan to migrate to a better configuration as peripherals and computers wear out. Just make sure you don't create any roadblocks to upgrades later.

These are the basic issues of network design for home and small businesses. VCC stands ready to help you work your way through the issues to arrive at a workable solution for you -- not only for today, but for years to come.

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