Introduction. Network Basics. Workstations. Server. Hub

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2 Introduction If you re planning to use eivf soon, you may want to install a computer network to improve access to your eivf Provider Portal from any PC in your office. This paper provides information you can use to discuss your networking and hardware/software requirements for eivf with a network specialist. These requirements will help your network specialist design a network that will meet your eivf needs. This paper does not provide comprehensive information to help you set up a network on your own, nor does it consider the network requirements of other software applications or services you may be using. PracticeHwy.com also provides comprehensive network support and can setup your entire network or help you with any questions or problems you may have with your network infrastructure, settings or configuration. Network Basics A computer network is either a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). A simple LAN allows all the computers in your office to communicate with each other. A LAN connects to the using a modem and a telephone line for its link to the outside world. A typical LAN (Local Area Network) has the following components: Two or more workstations (not required for eivf ) Wiring Network printer A WAN connects computers at multiple locations and usually includes a connection to the. WANs typically use a dedicated continuous connection to other locations so communication between all computers on the WAN is not interrupted or delayed. If you have more than one office location, ask your network consultant if a WAN is appropriate for your practice. Workstations Workstations are simply the PCs used by individuals in your office. To connect to the LAN, each workstation requires a network card. A server is a computer or device on a network that manages network resources. For example, a file server is a computer dedicated to storing files, and any user on the network can store files on the server. A print server is a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a computer that manages network traffic. eivf does not require a local server. Instead, it stores your information on a remote server at PracticeHwy.com A network hub is the center of the network. Each workstation connects to a hub port. is passed from one workstation through the hub to other workstations on the network. Large networks (more than 12 ports) usually have more than one hub. Each hub manages its own cluster of workstations, and the hubs are connected so they can pass information between them. s allow you to connect or disconnect workstations without affecting communications between the other workstations on your network. Modem/ Router

These requirements will help your network specialist design a network that will meet your eivf needs.

3 Wiring All network components, such as workstations, servers, hubs, and printers, must be connected before they can communicate with each other. These connections can be made using network wiring or a wireless setup. Network printer Network printers can be set up in a central area or scattered around the network for convenient access, so you won t need to purchase a printer for each workstation where printing is required. A network printer must either be connected to a workstation on the network, or connected directly using a network device. Some printers are equipped with built-in network cards, while others may require a third-party network device. Connection to the Connection to the or to remote computers on a LAN requires an outside connection. Additionally, for security reasons, you may want to install a firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your private network. Modem/ Router Outside connection Connection to the or to remote computers on a LAN can be made using either a dialup modem or a continuous connection such as xdsl or cable. Just as the size of a water pipe determines the amount of water that can pass through it, the capacity of your communication pipe affects the speed of information transmission. For example, xdsl is faster than a 56 Kbps modem dialup connection. The number of workstations, their level of activity, and the size of files transmitted over this pipe will determine how large your pipe needs to be. However, a fast link does not guarantee great performance, since you cannot affect the speed of individual sites. Whether you need a dialup or continuous connection depends on your needs and your budget. For example, an office that takes a lot of walk-ins might want a continuous connection so the receptionist can reserve the patient s chart on short notice, and the physician can pull the chart right before entering the exam room. A practice with fewer walk-ins can connect to the a few times a day using a dial-up modem. A firewall is used to prevent unauthorized users from accessing private networks connected to the. s can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of both. All messages entering or leaving your LAN pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet specified security requirements. If you have a continuous connection to the, such as xdsl or cable, a firewall is especially important. If you already have a firewall installed, your network consultant or system administrator may need to reconfigure it to work with eivf. Wired vs. Wireless LANs Network devices can be connected using a wired medium such as twisted-pair wire, coaxial cables, or fiber optic cables, or can do without connecting media altogether by using a wireless technology, which communicates via radio waves.

Network printer Network printers can be set up in a central area or scattered around the network for convenient access, so you won t need to purchase a printer for each workstation where printing is

4 Wireless Networks eivf is well suited to a wireless network. Wireless connections give you the ability to carry your laptop wherever you go in the office without logging out. You can easily use your laptop from any exam room. Without connecting your laptop directly to a phone line, you can have access to the to pull or store charts. A wireless network uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between devices connected to the LAN. If your office is larger than 150 feet, additional access points can be placed around the office to extend the network s range. Like cellular technology, when you pass out of range of one access point, your connection automatically hops to the access point that has the best signal. If, however, you do go completely out of range, you won t be disconnected. When you get back in range, the wireless network continues with your session. However, wireless networks won t work in every environment. Connection speed and quality will be drastically affected by the construction and layout of your office. Wireless is similar to cellular technology, so if you have metal studs in your building, they can interfere with the reception. Wireless also works better in open spaces. Have your network consultant analyze your office space to determine if it is suitable for this technology. Wired Networks Wired networks require a PC at each access point. For example, if you want access to your eivf Provider Portal from any exam room, you have to install a wired access point in each room, then either connect a PC in each room, or log off your laptop, disconnect from the network, reconnect at the next location, and log in. Because the PC remains in the exam room, you ll need to be vigilant about preventing unauthorized access by locking the screen when you leave the exam room. However, unlike wireless LANs, wired networks work well in any environment. If you choose to install a PC in each exam room and you have more than one physician in your office, you ll need to contact eivf Support for special setup instructions. Wireless Network Computer Wired Network Pen computer Patients eivf Network Requirements Your network consultant may find the following information helpful when designing your network for eivf : 1.5 Mbps or greater bandwidth No proxy server required or transparent proxy if proxy is used No local server required Remote access requires either a dialup or continuous connection

A wireless network uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between devices connected to the LAN.

5 Dialup connection should be 56 Kbps. Broadband connection: xdsl or cable modem highly recommended if xdsl or cable is installed. eivf Hardware/Software Requirements eivf has the following hardware/software requirements: Category Workstation CPU...Pentium 300 MHz Memory MB Disk Space...4 GB Connectivity Local network MB Fast for Office Remote Access...56 KB modem or DSL Remote Access Serve Connection...56 KB modem or DSL modem Network Protocol...TCP/IP Software...Windows 98 or later and IE 5 or later Summary eivf works well in networked offices with connections. Both wireless and wired networks can support eivf. However, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Outside connections may be either standard telephone lines and a dialup modem, or broadband technology, such as xdsl, or cable. Below is a model of the complete integrated eivf networking model. Router Modem Modem

..100 MB Fast for Office Remote Access...56 KB modem or DSL Remote Access Serve Connection...56 KB modem or DSL modem Network Protocol...TCP/IP Software.

Chapter 9. Communications and Networks. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Copyright 2008 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 9. Communications and Networks. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Copyright 2008 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 9 Communications and Networks McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright 2008 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Competencies (Page 1 of 2) Discuss connectivity, the wireless revolution,