11 Different Types of Network Services for Your Business

Introduction

Network services are applications that connect users working in offices, branches, or remote locations to applications and data in a network. These services typically run on servers.

Businesses rely on network services for connectivity, security, and efficiency. Whether powering remote work, enabling cloud-based applications, or facilitating communication with clients, reliable network connectivity has become a fundamental necessity for businesses.

Companies of all sizes depend on this connectivity, so choosing the right network services directly impacts productivity and reduces downtime.

What Are Network Services?

Network services are the foundational components that enable communication, data exchange, and security within an IT infrastructure. Some common types of network services include:

• Internet and cloud connectivity
• Branch office and campus connectivity
• Private data center services
• Secure cloud-connectivity services
• Virtual network services

Businesses depend on these services for everything from internet access to cybersecurity and cloud computing.

11 Types of Network Services Businesses Use

1. Internet & Connectivity Services

Robust and secure connectivity forms the backbone of network services, providing the essential links that enable devices within an organization to connect and communicate with each other and the outside world. This category includes Wi-Fi, which offers wireless access to the network, and Ethernet, which provides a wired connection offering stability and high performance. These services are crucial for the day-to-day operations of an organization, enabling everything from email communication to access to web resources.

Common internet services include broadband, fiber-optic, and satellite internet solutions. Each offers varying speeds, reliability, and availability depending on your location(s) and needs.

Dedicated leased lines and MPLS networks are used for enhanced reliability but cater to different needs. Leased lines provide dedicated, high-speed connections, while MPLS offers scalable, flexible, and potentially more cost-effective solutions for multi-site networks.

2. Domain Name System (DNS) Services

Domain name system (DNS) services play a pivotal role in internet functionality by translating human-friendly domain names into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. DNS services ensure users can easily access websites and online services, making them a critical network infrastructure component.

DNS involves converting a hostname (such as www.plow.net) into a computer-friendly IP address (such as 123.456.7.8.) An IP address is given to each device on the Internet, and that address is necessary to find the appropriate Internet device, which helps prevent cyber threats like DNS hijacking.

3. Virtual Private Network (VPN) Services

VPN Services securely connect remote employees to company resources by creating a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the Internet, masking your IP address, and encrypting your data to enhance privacy and security, especially if using public Wi-Fi.

4. Cloud Networking Services

Cloud networking services allow businesses to store and manage their data and applications online rather than relying on physical servers in-house. Cloud services are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

Cloud-based networking platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud allow businesses to leverage the power of the cloud for specific networking needs like load balancing, content delivery and virtual networks.

The benefits of Cloud Network Services include scalability, reduced hardware costs, and remote access.

5. Managed Network Security Services

Managed Network Security Services protect business networks and systems from cyber threats through advanced monitoring, security tools, and expert management. There are outsourced services typically provided by a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP).

Various security tools and techniques, including firewalls, intrusion detection, and endpoint security, are used to monitor and protect networks.

Cybersecurity solutions like DDoS protection and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) are also often used.

6. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Services

SDN helps transform networks by breaking away from restrictive hardware constraints. It involves using software to control and manage network functions to centralize network management for better traffic control. This allows network administrators to manage and configure network devices using APIs programmatically. This service is ideal for businesses that need scalable, flexible networking solutions.

7. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

A content delivery network (CDN) is a geographically distributed group of servers that caches content close to end users. A CDN allows the quick transfer of assets needed for loading Internet content, including HTML pages, JavaScript files, stylesheets, images, and videos. It improves website and application performance by distributing content globally and reduces latency to enhance user experience.

8. Load Balancing Services

Load Balancing Services distributes network traffic across multiple services to prevent bottlenecks and improve performance. They act as a single point of contact for clients by routing traffic to healthy backend servers and ensuring the uptime and availability of critical applications, even if some servers fail.

9. Network Storage & Backup Services

Organizations manage thousands of applications, up to 30% of which are business-critical and must be recovered in less than an hour. This is why cloud disaster recovery is highly complex. Cloud-based storage and disaster recovery solutions protect against data loss and improve business continuity.

10. Unified Communications & VoIP Services

If you’re a modern business, your organization likely needs more than just a telephone. In that case, you’re likely interested in a richer set of features, like voice, video chat and email. Unified Communications and VoIP Services integrate these features into a single system.

A few key reasons businesses adopt VoIP platforms include cost savings and remote communication. With VoIP, the cost of provisioning is much lower because it leverages existing internet infrastructure. VoIP also allows employees to make and receive calls regardless of location, offering features like video conferencing and voicemail-to-email.

11. Wireless & Mobile Networking Services

Today, businesses need reliable wireless networks to support mobile devices, laptops, and remote workers. Wi-Fi and wireless network services ensure that employees and customers can access secure and high-speed internet wherever they are. These services include:

• Wi-Fi Setup and Configuration
• Wireless Security
• Network Monitoring

These services help businesses maintain strong connectivity and ensure their wireless networks are secure and reliable.

To enhance connectivity and enable faster data transfer, lower latency, and increased capacity, consider 5G and mobile network solutions.

How to Choose the Right Network Services for Your Business

Selecting the right network services for your business can be a complex task, but with careful consideration, you can find the perfect fit for your company’s needs.

When choosing network services, one of the first things to consider is whether they can scale with your business. You don’t want to outgrow your infrastructure too quickly. Ensure your network can handle increasing traffic, devices, and applications without disruption.

Next, align your network choice with your business goals. Consider the current number of users, the type of applications they use, and their bandwidth requirements.

Lastly, budget is always a consideration, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. Look for network services that best balance cost and integration capabilities. Many high-performance services deliver reliable, top-tier network performance without breaking the bank.

Before fully committing, consider pilot testing the solution. This trial period can help you identify issues and confirm the solution meets your needs.

Conclusion

A reliable network solution is necessary for seamless operations for all businesses. Reliable connectivity is paramount whether your company has dozens of employees or hundreds. This is because you want to maximize your organization’s productivity and capability while reducing costs.

By investing in secure, scalable network solutions, your business can reduce the risk of downtime and other network issues that may arise due to improper configuration.

By working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), businesses are spared from managing these critical network services independently. It also helps them stay updated with the latest security technology and strategies.

Explore the comprehensive range of network services offered by Plow Networks, where you’ll receive expert guidance and tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. Let us help you optimize your network for efficiency, reliability, and performance.