I have discussed many times in previous articles the need for computers in the operatories. Besides being mandatory to use high-end digital systems like intraoral cameras and digital radiography, they also allow the office to become more decentralized by permitting many functions to be completed chairside, such as scheduling and insurance submissions. The underlying assumption in these scenarios, of course, is that all of the computers are connected together. The challenge, though, is deciding how to accomplish this.
 

It’s a Wired, Wired World

The typical method of connecting computers together is through use of Ethernet cabling, also known as network cables. The industry-standard cabling is known as Category 5, often referred to as Cat5. The actual cables that have been in use for many years is Cat5e. What’s the difference? Well, CAT 5 cable will support 10/100 Ethernet. That is, Ethernet (10 MB/s) and Fast Ethernet (100 MB/s). CAT 5e cable will support Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet (1000 MB/s). CAT 5e Cable is completely backwards compatible, and can be used in any application in which you would normally use CAT 5 cable.

If you want to ensure that your network is ready for future speeds, then I would suggest investing in Cat 6. However, there are many components to a network and all of them must be rated for the higher speed:

1. Network Interface card, or NIC. Look for a NIC that is rated 10/100/1000. Most of the Dell computers that are now available come with 10/100/1000 NICs as standard equipment.
2. Cat5e or Cat6 cabling.
3. A gigabit switch.

While some people still refer to switches as hubs, this in not technically correct. A hub is a less intelligent device that passes information requests to every computer in the network. A switch, on the other hand, is a “smarter” hub in that requests from a workstation to the server, for example, go directly to the server and back. While the first gigabit switches were very expensive, you can now find 16-port gigabit switches for under $200.

Cutting the Cord

In many offices, wiring computers is either not practical or impossible. Many older building do not have drop ceiling or proper conduits run, and doing so would not be cost effective for the office. Also, many dentist want the ability to use a laptop or Tablet PC to use throughout the office. In these cases, the best solution is to consider a wireless network.

Wireless networking has improved dramatically in the past few years. The devise used to setup a network, either a wireless router or wireless access point, have become very user friendly to the point that even people with no technical expertise can still set up a wireless network. While wireless is certainly an option for any office, there are reasons why we prefer wired over wireless:

1. Speed. The first wireless networks that were accepted mainstream was Wi-Fi, also called 802.11b. The speed was a maximum of 11 MB/s. Those have been replaced in the past year with 802.11g, which has a maximum speed of 54 MB/s; real world speed is closer to 20 MB/s. The newest standard, which will be out probably in 2007, is 802.11n, with a minimum throughput of 100 MB/s. There are already devices out that are called “pre-802.11n”, but since nobody knows what the standard will be, these will likely be obsolete.
2. Cost. Once the network cables are in place, the cost to add computers is practically nil. For wireless networks, each computer will require a wireless adapter. While many notebooks come with wireless adapters built-in, most desktop computers do not and you’ll need to add either a PCI or USB adapter to each system.
3. Security. With a wired network, someone must be physically plugged into the network in order to access it. With wireless, due to their 150 foot range, anyone driving in the neighborhood can access your network. Most wireless systems allow for a high-level of security. You can set up WPA, a type of wireless encryption, employ filtering that only allows computers you designate to connect, and turn off the broadcasting of the wireless network. The problem, though, is that all wireless systems come with security turned off by default, and many people are either too intimated or don’t know how to set up the proper security.

Dentists should consider the pros and cons of the different types of networks, and work with a network specialist if they are not sure, to properly install what will be the backbone of their entire technology system.