Poor network performance in the workplace is the cause of many issues, from frustrated employees to declining productivity. As such, ensuring proper network performance should be one of your top priorities. Here’s how to improve network performance if things have been running slower than usual.
How to Improve Network Performance With Fiber Optic Cables
You may be able to increase network performance by switching from a wireless connection to a wired connection. When most people think of the internet, they think of Wi-Fi. While Wi-Fi is a powerful tool that can be used in a wide range of home and business circumstances, it falls short in some places.10
If your business’s network performance is being bottlenecked by your wireless connection, it may be time to make the switch. Here’s how a wired connection is different from Wi-Fi and how it can help improve network performance in your business.
What Is Ethernet?
Ethernet is one of the most common types of wired internet connection. It is powered by fiber optic cables that can transmit data to a device and allow it to access the internet. Typically, one end of the ethernet cable is plugged into a device like a computer or laptop, while the other is plugged into a router, modem, or server.
For a large-scale business network, plugging into the server is likely the best option, as it will allow all of your employees’ devices to connect to a single central hub. This ensures faster, more efficient communication between employees and departments. How, though, does ethernet improve network performance compared to Wi-Fi?
Why Is Ethernet Better for Network Performance Than Wireless?
The most notable advantage of ethernet over wireless connections is its resistance to being jammed or interrupted. Wi-Fi signals can be absorbed or repelled by thick walls, long distances, and even certain kinds of insulation. This means that the further away your employees are from the router, the slower their connection will be. Needless to say, unnecessary delays like this will impact employee morale and efficiency.
This is not the case with an ethernet connection. Because ethernet cables connect users’ devices directly to an internet-providing device, no amount of distance or obstacles will impact its speed. Every employee will have the same excellent and uninterrupted connection to the internet, regardless of where they are located.
Aside from faster speeds, ethernet is also more secure. When Wi-Fi-enabled devices transmit data, the signals can be intercepted by hackers. Though not impossible, it is much more difficult for them to interfere with an ethernet connection. Overall, ethernet boasts better speeds and security than Wi-Fi, and is thus the better option for the workplace.
Upgrade Your WiFi
Though it is less than ideal, some businesses require the convenience of a wireless connection. If you are unable to make the switch to ethernet, check what Wi-Fi standard your business is running on. New Wi-Fi standards are released roughly once every 5-6 years, often with significant improvements to speed and reliability.
If you have been operating on the same system for decades, your Wi-Fi may just be dated. If this is the case, it is a simple matter to get your modem and router upgraded to work with the newest standard. Though will likely still fall short of ethernet, it will be a marked improvement in network performance.
Upgrade Your Servers
If you have made the switch to ethernet and are still encountering issues with speed and reliability, the problem may be with your servers. Servers are designed to withstand a high volume of users, but even they can only do so much. If your business operation has expanded significantly over the past few years, your server may be unable to process the increased workload.
Fortunately, this is also a simple issue to fix. We recommend upgrading your existing servers and investing in several new ones. This will improve your speeds, increase your network capacity to accommodate all of the new users, and give you a degree of protection when it comes to future expansion.
Try a Hard Reset
In many cases, improving network performance is simpler than it first appears. If you have worked around technology for any significant period, you have likely heard that turning a device off and back on is the first step to troubleshooting. Unfortunately, doing so with your business’s network would cause a major disruption to your workday, so it is better left as a last resort in this case.
If other attempts to improve network performance have failed, though, we recommend waiting until a low-volume period to try it, possibly after most employees have clocked out. This will minimize the impact on productivity and stop any confusion from occurring. Turn your router, server, or modem off, wait about a minute, turn it back on, and then run some network tests to see if your issue has been resolved.
Contact Your Provider About Network Performance Issues
If nothing else has improved your network performance up to this point, try contacting your company’s internet service provider. You may be able to gain more information on your issue that could lead to a solution. Even if they are unable to resolve the issue, though, they may provide you with a new perspective on how to improve the situation.
Be sure to give them as many details about the issue as possible, as this helps them to make a more accurate diagnosis. From there, they should be able to start offering solutions. These solutions may be simple troubleshooting, or may require you to make upgrades to your network. Bear in mind that your provider may not have a cure-all solution for you, and any solutions they do have can likely be found cheaper from a third party. We would encourage you to ask your provider for diagnostic info, but get in touch with a third party to make any necessary purchases or changes.
Learn How to Improve Network Performance With Equal Optics
If improved network performance with ethernet is what you’re after, though, we can help! At Equal Optics, we’re committed to offering our clients high-quality information and products pertaining to fiber optic cables. Interested? Contact us today!
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