Category: Networking Page 2 of 7

Most Common Network Problems

On June 11, 2018

With number of devices increasing in home/ offices, network issues are becoming more complex than ever before. Different software platforms and new IoT devices have made computer network rely on several different variables. Even a small issue can disrupt complete network and can cause substantial downtime in the work process.

To solve a network issue, it is first important to understand the network problem and why it arises in the first place. Here we have listed certain common network problems which you must know about.

Slow Internet – The most basic problem that your employees might complain about is slow internet which can create a lag while working. There may be a number of reasons behind it. The probable causes are –
- Too many devices connected on a single network.
- Some app might be consuming a significant portion of your total bandwidth.
- Service delays on the part of internet provider.
No Connectivity – You might also witness a situation when the wireless network shows the signal but does not connect. This is because either your device is out of the router’s range or there is some problem with the hardware. To correct this, try to place the device close to the router. Also you can replace the network card you are using. Sometimes, updating the network card drivers can be helpful whereas sometimes you might have to change the hardware altogether.
IP Conflicts – Every device has an IP address that has access to the network at a given time. However, sometimes two devices might end up having the same IP address due to which the operations of one device may be blocked. In such a situation, the user might not be able to access the protected files and also it can cause a lag for all the connected devices. To avoid this, you must reconfigure your DHCP setup so that the IP conflict is resolved and all the devices on the network get proper access.
VOIP Quality Issues – A network stutter can lead to voice call issues such as delays, interruptions and voice quality issues. To curb this problem, install jitter buffers as they create small packets of VOIP information. This will ensure a smooth conversation and help you boost your overall productivity.
Inability To Find Network Path – Sometimes an error message displaying network path not found may appear on a user’s screen due to which the device cannot make connection with other devices on the network. Disable local firewalls and also reset TCP/IP to deal with this issue.

Take a note of the above mentioned most common network problems and follow necessary steps to keep them at bay. For more information, call Centex Technologies at (254) 213-4740.

Warning Signs That Your Web Server Is Being Attacked

By centexitguy

On September 12, 2017

In Networking, Security

12th Sep 2017

Web server security should be a priority for any organization, particularly those who deal with sensitive customer data. With advanced hacking concepts such as URL interpretation, session hijacking, HTML injection, SQL injection etcetera, attackers can breach into the network and steal the stored files. In order to identify such attacks, the administrators must monitor their web servers and watch for the following warning signs:

General Indications: Most of the hackers try to breach the web servers by attacking the web applications to exploit any loopholes. In order to identify such attacks, you need to keep a check on signs such as multiple ‘404 page not found’ or ‘500 internal server error’ reports in the web server log.
Your Website Has Been Blacklisted: If your web server has been attacked and is sending out spam, there is a good chance that it has been blacklisted in search engines and email lists. The visitors on your website may get a message that the site cannot load. It will also become impossible for the end user to reset passwords as sending a reset password email will not be feasible from your end.
The Presence Of Web Shells: Web shells are files through which hackers can easily execute other files on the system. Mostly in the form of text, web shells can be easily masked among other files on the system. It is accompanied by extensions such as cmd.aspx or commandshell.php that gives out a code which can be used by the hacker to gain access to your website.
Unexplained Server Activity: Keep a regular check on the website so that you can immediately identify any suspicious activity. For instance, your email server process may show high volume of received emails whereas there may be no active visitors on your site. You could also see a Perl script running on your server even though you don’t use it. This is another sign of unauthorized access to your server.
Attack On Administrative Interfaces: Almost all the web applications have an administrative interface which can be targeted by hackers in order to reach your system. Watch out for telltale signs such as repeatedly failed login attempts, changes in the account or modifications in the application configuration. This can help you identify if your servers have been compromised.

We, at Centex Technologies, can provide businesses with effective network security solutions. For more information, feel free to call us at (855) 375 – 9654.

How Cloud Computing Can Increase Business Productivity

By centexitguy

On January 15, 2016

In Networking

January 15, 2016

Every business, whether small or large, operates towards achieving a common goal, i.e., increasing productivity and profit margin. Cloud computing is one of such technologies embraced by businesses across the globe to gain a competitive edge in the industry. By having greater access to data at every level, the employees can work more efficiently and utilize their time as well as efforts in a more industrious manner.

Here are some of the ways businesses can increase productivity with cloud computing:

Staying Connected: With the cloud, your employees can stay connected to their work no matter where they are. They simply need an internet connection to access files, applications and software required to carry out their task seamlessly. They can also manage work flow and maintain communication with the team members to track real time updates about any task.

Remote Working Privileges: As work from home culture is prevalent in most companies, it can be difficult for the employees to transfer files and data from one computer to another. However, cloud computing provides an easy and round the clock access to all the important files from one central location which can be viewed by all the employees.

Recruiting And Retaining Employees: Having the ability to work remotely, businesses become able to hire efficient employees from anywhere in the country. In case a suitable candidate lives in another location, cloud makes it easy for him/her to work in collaboration with rest of the employees. You can also track the performance of each employee by viewing who accessed a file, who made the changes and when the data was updated.

Managed Services: With cloud computing, employees can focus on improving their efficiency at work without having to worry about maintaining, storing and securing the data. Your cloud service provider will monitor and implement any security upgrades required in the hosted program or applications. Therefore, you do have to maintain a specialized in-house IT staff.

Flexibility And Scalability: When you store the data on the cloud, you do not need to worry about the shortage of space. As your business expands, you can simultaneously scale up your cloud service to ensure functionality for more employees. Also, you can also select and customize the applications you need, hence, paying for only those services that are required for the smooth running of your business operations.

For more information about the benefits of cloud computing for your business, feel free to contact Centex Technologies at (855) 375 – 9654.

Things You Should Know About Cloud Computing

By centexitguy

On September 29, 2015

In Networking

September 29, 2015

The word ‘cloud’ has gained much popularity in the past few years. Cloud computing essentially means storing all your electronic files, software, applications, documents, programs and data over the internet, instead of your computer’s hard drive. Considering the virtually endless benefits it offers, majority of businesses are switching to cloud computing to make the most of this service.

If you are also considering moving your business activities to cloud, here are some of the important things that you should know:

Different Versions: Cloud computing services can be availed in different versions. Among them, the most common are Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). In the former one, you need to pay a monthly fee to store your applications and files on your cloud provider’s servers. On the contrary, in IaaS, the users can have a direct access to their servers and data centers. This service operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, i.e. the users are charged according to the space they use on the virtual machines.
Less Burden On IT Staff: Your IT staff spends a good deal of time on maintaining, troubleshooting and updating the equipment in the office. However, with cloud computing, all these tasks can be outsourced to your provider. This will help to reduce burden on your IT staff and allow them to focus on other tasks critical to the success of your business.
Better Accessibility: With cloud computing, you can have complete access to your files and important documents from anywhere at any time. All you need to have is an internet connection and a compatible device. You do not need to be present in the office to handle the business activities.
Unlimited Storage Capacity: When you store your applications on cloud, it eliminates the issues concerning exhausted storage space or expanding data centers. The users can anytime increase the storage capacity according to their requirements.
Flexibility: As cloud computing services are charged on a monthly basis or according to the consumption of space, it offers a greater flexibility to companies. For instance, if your business witnesses high and low phases during certain times of the year, you can easily match the capacity of cloud storage to suit your needs. With this, you can also make huge savings on your company’s IT finances.

For more information about the benefits of cloud computing, you can call at (855) 375 – 9654.

Questions To Ask From Your Cloud Service Provider

By centexitguy

On June 25, 2015

In Networking

June 25, 2015

Switching over to cloud for your critical business operations, like emails and document storage, can be extremely beneficial. It can help to cut costs, organize workflow and eliminate the need for hiring specialized IT personnel. Above all these, the biggest benefit of moving operations to cloud is major data concerns such as security, support and backup are automatically taken care of. With a number of companies offering cloud based services, it can be difficult to choose the most reliable one for your business.

Here are some of the important questions that you must ask while screening a provider:

What level of services do they provide?

Determining your cloud computing needs can help you decide on what type of services you require. If you require more than just data storage service, there are several providers offering complete cloud computing services such as virtual software, applications and servers.

What is their pricing structure?

Choose a provider that allows you to pay-as-you-go. This means that you will be charged on the basis on the services you avail and your storage needs. The fees can be charged hourly, monthly or yearly, depending on your cloud service provider. Charges for cloud computing may be as low as $1 and go up to $ 100, as per your usage.

How secure is their cloud?

To ensure the safety of your company’s stored data, verify if your cloud provider follows standard and regularly updated security policies. You must look for measures like anti-virus software, firewalls, data encryption, two-factor user authentication, backups etc. Also ask them which employees at the company will have access to the information in the cloud.

What happens if the data is lost?

In the event that your cloud service provider inadvertently loses or obliterates your useful data, you must be sure how exactly they will resolve the issue. You must ask them about the provisions in the company’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) for such cases and if they would recompense for your loss. Also inquire if they have implemented any policies to mitigate the occurrences of such losses.

Is their cloud flexible enough to meet your business needs?

As you expand your business, you might need more storage space on cloud. Therefore, you must choose a company that can upgrade its services to accommodate your requirements. Ask them what other services and how much extra storage capacity they can provide over time. Also, it should be easy to add additional employees to your account.

Besides these, you should ensure that you can access all your business information from any device by just logging into your cloud provider’s sign in page.