People frequently ask me about the ease of switching Internet providers. Isn’t it as simple as just plugging in the new connection? The short answer is no. The long answer is that there are a number of items businesses should take into account and questions they should consider before and during the Internet conversion process.
When switching providers, make sure that your business doesn’t overlook simple modifications to your IT setup that the transition might necessitate. Here are just a few examples of factors you should keep in mind if you’re changing Internet providers, ranging from VPN connections to your firewall’s capabilities.
1. Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections. Before switching to a new Internet provider, you’ll want to consider whether or not anyone accesses your network remotely. Do individual end users, other sites, or vendors use VPN connections to gain entry to your organization’s network?
2. External access to internal IP networked devices. You’ll also want to ask if anyone externally accesses any internal IP networked devices. Some examples of these types of devices include the following:
-Web server
-Catalog server
-Video surveillance
-IP phone system
-Internal email (Exchange) server
3. Domain Name Server (DNS). It’s also important to consider your DNS before transitioning to a new Internet provider. Have you reviewed both your registrar and your internal DNS?
4. Firewall. Before making the change to a new Internet connection, check to make sure that your current firewall is capable of handling it. Otherwise, you might not achieve expected and optimal performance after the transition. Keep in mind that increases in bandwidth and more concurrent connections (for instance, from end users with multiple mobile devices) can necessitate changes in your firewall to ensure peak security and performance.
This is just a short list of some things we as an IT support group plan for ahead of time before you switch providers and test post-cutover. If you’d like to learn more about the items you should consider before transitioning to a new Internet provider, our expert team at Stratosphere Networks can help. We provide comprehensive Chicago IT support and services, in addition to serving businesses across the country. Contact us today by calling 877-599-3999 or emailing sales@stratospherenetworks.com.
