Protocols – Fewer is Better

How Many Protocols Does Your LAN Use?

Best Practice (Litmus Test)

Professionals: Use TCP/IP as their only protocol

Amateurs:  Insist on installing NetBEUI

How Many Protocols Does Your LAN Use?

Professionals realize that the best practice is to only install TCP/IP, adding other protocols is just duplication.  TCP/IP is wonderful, it does everything you would ever need a protocol do to.  Moreover the more protocols you have the more network traffic there will be.  In particular avoid protocols like NetBEUI that broadcast.

Some network managersget upset when I suggest they remove NetBEUI.  What is fascinating is theirreasoning.  They say: ‘It is so much faster.  We haveapplications that only work with NetBEUI’.  I say: ‘What aboutall that broadcasting?’  Then I challenge them to just run TCP/IP on their network.

There are always exceptions to any rule, and I would allow NWLINK if you have old Netware servers. Also, I did once see a convincing case for using a second protocol for RAS.  The client wanted a fix to secure and isolate clients dialling into his network.  However, I would have preferred to :

a) Decommission those Netware servers

b) Implement a firewall as a RAS solution.

Challenge: Check out some of the Protocols in Windows 2012

Protocol List

• LDAP
• IPSEC and IPSECMON
• Kerberos (Kerbtray in the resource kit)
• L2TP and PPTP
• CHAP and EAP
• BAP and PPP
• OSPF in the Routing and RAS snap-in
• TCP/IP
• Free Download FTP Server

Guy’s Challenge – Download this free device backup utility

(CatTools)

Kiwi CatTools is a free program for backing up configuration settings on hardware devices.  Here is Guy’s challenge.  If you download CatTools, then it will not only take care of backups, but also it will show you something new about the hardware on you network. I could give you a money back guarantee – but CatTools is already free!  Thus, I just make a techie to techie challenge, you will learn more about your network if you:

Download your free Kiwi CatTools configuration backup tools

Litmus Tests

Guy’s Litmus test is a concept that you can apply anywhere.  Each test gives you an instant answer to the simple question:-  ‘Are you dealing with a professional, or are they an amateur?   Is this the real deal, or is it a turkey?’   The Litmus Test concept is rather like Best Practice, but it reduces a 27 page report to one sentence. 

Try another of my Litmus tests »

Learn about Windows 8

• Install Windows 8  •Windows 8 Configuration Settings  •Backup  • WEB IIS 

•Windows 8 Metro UI  • Web Help Desk  • Network Litmus Tests  • SolarWinds Dameware Review

• Windows 8 Registry  • Windows 8 Group Policy Examples  • Network Performance Monitor