Data Communication Networks

Author

Institution

Additional information on the equipment required for the upgrade

Local Area Network requirements

Considering that the Law firm has grown to occupy two floors, its operations cannot continue being operated on Stand-Alone Computers. It is imperative that a local area network (LAN) is installed so as to allow for the migration from legacy systems to a web-based operating system. This is the only way that the operations of the law firm can be synchronized. A local area network has the advantage of enhancing file transfers and sharing resources such as printers, disks, and internet connection (Schwalbe, 2010). In cases where a wireless local area network is used, mobility is enhanced, not to mention allowing for discussions mainly when computers are remote. While the Law firm has the option of putting in place a wireless network (that uses WiFi technology), a wired network (founded on Ethernet Technology) would be recommended. The following items would be required.

23 new computers- as much as the company has computers, they would be incapable of supporting the new operating systems. While it is not required that “heavy” operating system be installed, it would be recommended that

Network adapter- network adapters allows computers to connect to the network by converting computer data to electronic signals. Most present-day computers incorporate network adapters that are integrated in their motherboards (Schwalbe, 2010). It is worth noting, however, that early computers such as the ones used in the law firm did not have this function in which case the network adaptor has to be bought separately and fitted to the expansion slot on their motherboards.

Network medium- considering that the law firm will be using a wired network, it is required that cables whose length can allow for the connection of computers in both floors. The cable to be used, in this case, is the “Unshielded Twisted Pair” also called “Ethernet cable” or simply “Ethernet cable”.

Power supply- this would be needed irrespective of the type of network that the company chooses. It allows the cabled network to send data that is interpreted as electronic pulse.

Cable Connectors- RJ45 is the most commonly used form of connector in wired networks. Computers that have networking capabilities must have RJ54 ports, also called Ethernet port or network ports.

Router/switch/ hub- considering that the local area network will essentially be a wired network, the computers would be unable to connect to the others without a splinter. Hubs are an advanced form of a splinter that repeats signals that come to one of the ports out to the other ports (Schwalbe, 2010). Cables would then move from its ports to the computer. Switch comes as more sophisticated than hubs as they send signals to the computer than has the address written on the incoming message. Routers, however, have the capacity to forward messages across the world. For this law firm, four routers would be needed each with 8 ports to ensure that each of the 23 computers has a cable connecting it to the network.

Network software- the network software on the communicating computer would package data into segments, as well as put the data into structures referred to as packets. The header of the packet has the destination and the source of the packet written on it. It is imperative that the receiving computer interprets the packets into meaningful data and take it to the appropriate application (Schwalbe, 2010).

Other Software Required: Cloud storage

Legal Management Software

In migrating the operations of the company from a legacy-based to a web-based platform, it is imperative that the law firm obtains legal management software that provides distinctive to enable automation of the core processes in its different departments or units (Schwalbe, 2010). The components should have the capacity to work together in order to establish an end-to-end legal management process. Alternatively, they may function as individual software applications that integrate with the existing payroll, accounting and case systems (Schwalbe, 2010).

While varied software applications may be appropriate, it is recommended that the law firm obtains CLIO, a practice management, client collaboration, time & billing platform that allows for secure access to client data from anywhere. This would not only allow synchronization and accuracy in the billing and payroll operations, but also enhance accountability. It comes with six features that would be useful in enhancing the management processes in the web-based platform. It allows for time tracking, task scheduling, simplified billing, 256-bit SSL encryption for security, document management capabilities for ease and accuracy, not to mention the fact that it is entirely web-based.

Alternatively, it could obtain Rocket Matter, a web-based practice and time management software product that comes with capabilities such as calendaring, invoicing, expense, task, and time tracking, phone messaging, matter-based ledgering, mobile access, documentation management, conflict checking, contact management, mobile access and time-tracking timer among other features.

Irrespective of the software chosen, it should have the capacity for Time, Billing and Invoicing, Electronic Signatures, client and case management, Virtual Law Office Services, document management, remote access, Online Document Storage and Backup, and Encrypted Email and Document Exchange. These will ensure accuracy of the information in the payroll, tracking the activities of the lawyers and allowing for easy correction of any mistakes that may arise in the entries. The lawyers would also have access codes through which they can log in and make any queries and entries pertaining to their billing and payroll, thereby enhancing satisfaction (Schwalbe, 2010).

References

Schwalbe, K. (2010). Information technology Project Management. Boston, MA: Course Technology/Cengage Learning.