Customer Needs Assessment

Types of Connections

Types of Connections

After you identify the users who need access to the network, you should determine the types of connections each group of users needs. There are three basic types of network access:

Wired

Wireless

Remote

Wired Connections

Most regular and temporary employees will have a wired connection. For each user, you should list any special considerations. For example, are part-time employees or multiple temporary employees sharing a wired connection or switch port?

Do employees want to log in from multiple switch ports? For example, do they want to take their laptop to a conference room and use a wired connection in that room to access the network? If so, what types of resources should they be able to access from each location?

Wireless Connections

Which users are accessing or would like to access the network through a wireless connection? For example, guests typically want wireless access because it is more convenient. Employees also want wireless access so that they can access the network from any location on-site. They want to be mobile as well, maintaining network access while they roam.

What types of resources should users be allowed to access from a wireless connection? For example, guests might be restricted to Internet access only. Employees might be allowed to access the same resources that are available to them through a wired connection. Or—particularly, if your wireless net- work does not provide strong encryption—you may want to limit employees’ access to certain resources when they log in to the network from a wireless connection.

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HP Access Control Client Software manual Types of Connections, Wired Connections, Wireless Connections