Computer Network Installation in Melbourne

Getting a computer network installed properly from the start saves a lot of headaches later. A network that was put together in a hurry, with the wrong equipment or without proper planning, causes slow speeds, drop-outs, security problems and general frustration for everyone using it. We install computer networks for Melbourne homes and businesses and we do it properly the first time.

Call us on 0484 357 559 or email info@computertechnicians.com.au to discuss your network requirements.

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Types of Networks We Install

Home Networks

A home network lets every device in the house share one internet connection, print to the same printer and access shared files. Most modern homes have thirty or more connected devices. Smart TVs, laptops, phones, tablets, smart speakers, security cameras, solar inverters and more. A home network that was set up years ago on a basic consumer router often can’t handle that load reliably.

We design and install home networks that give stable coverage throughout the house, handle multiple simultaneous users and devices without slowing down, and keep the network secure.

Small Business Networks

A small business network needs to be reliable. When the network goes down, work stops. We install networks for offices, medical practices, law firms, retail shops, cafes, warehouses and other businesses across Melbourne.

A typical small business network installation involves a business grade router or firewall, a managed switch, wireless access points, server connection if applicable, and proper network segmentation to keep things like guest WiFi separate from the business network.

Home Office Networks

Working from home has different requirements to a standard home network. VPN access to the office, video calls on Teams or Zoom, large file transfers, remote desktop connections. A consumer grade router on a basic NBN connection handles this poorly when it’s not set up correctly. We configure home office networks specifically for the work being done on them.

Multi-Site Business Networks

Multiple offices or locations that need to communicate with each other. Site-to-site VPN connections, centralised file servers, consistent network policies across locations. We design and install multi-site networks for small and medium Melbourne businesses.

Wired Network Installation Melbourne

Why Wired Still Matters

WiFi is convenient but it has limitations. Signal strength varies with distance and building materials. Bandwidth is shared between devices. A busy wireless environment with many devices all competing for the same channel degrades performance for everyone.

A wired network connection via Cat6 or Cat6A ethernet cabling gives a device a dedicated, full speed connection. No interference, no signal loss, no competition for bandwidth. For desktops, servers, printers, CCTV systems and any device that sits in one place, wired is almost always the right choice.

Switches

A network switch connects wired devices to each other and to the router. We install managed and unmanaged switches depending on the requirements.

Unmanaged switches are plug and play. They work without configuration and suit small installations where network segmentation and traffic management aren’t needed. TP-Link and Netgear unmanaged switches are common in small home and office installations.

Managed switches allow VLANs, Quality of Service (QoS) settings, port mirroring, traffic monitoring and remote management. We install managed switches from Ubiquiti, Cisco, TP-Link and Netgear for business installations where more control is needed.

PoE Switches

Power over Ethernet switches deliver power through the ethernet cable to connected devices. Wireless access points, IP phones, IP cameras and other PoE devices can be powered directly from the switch without needing a separate power supply at each device. This simplifies installation significantly. We commonly install Ubiquiti UniFi PoE switches and TP-Link TL-SG2008P series for small business jobs.

Wireless Network Installation Melbourne

Business Grade WiFi

Consumer grade routers from JB Hi-Fi are designed for home use. They work fine in a small house with a handful of devices. In a business environment with twenty staff, multiple devices each and a requirement for consistent coverage across the whole office, they fall apart quickly.

Business grade wireless access points are a different product. They’re designed for high device density, multiple simultaneous connections, seamless roaming between access points and centralised management.

We install Ubiquiti UniFi access points for most small and medium business installations as part of our WiFi installation Melbourne service. The UniFi AP-U6-LR, UniFi AP-U6-Pro and UniFi AP-U6-Mesh are current models we work with regularly. They support WiFi 6 (802.11ax), handle high device density well and are managed through the UniFi Network controller which gives a single view of the entire wireless network.

For smaller installations or home networks we also work with TP-Link Omada business WiFi and Netgear Orbi Pro.

Wireless Site Survey

Before installing access points we do a wireless site survey. We walk the premises, map the floor plan and use WiFi analysis tools to measure existing signal levels, identify dead spots, check for interference from neighbouring networks and determine the optimal placement and number of access points needed.

Getting access point placement right matters more than most people realise. A single access point in the wrong location will leave dead spots. Multiple access points placed without planning can create channel interference with each other. We plan the installation before drilling a single hole.

WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E

WiFi 6 (802.11ax) is the current standard for new business wireless installations. Compared to WiFi 5 (802.11ac) it handles more simultaneous devices, performs better in congested environments through OFDMA and target wake time technology, and delivers higher throughput on the 5 GHz band.

WiFi 6E adds the 6 GHz band. More available channels, less congestion, faster speeds in the same room. The limitation is range, 6 GHz doesn’t penetrate building materials as well as 5 GHz. For high density environments with short distances it’s excellent. For coverage across a large building, WiFi 6 on 5 GHz is often the more practical choice.

Mesh WiFi for Homes

For homes where running data cable isn’t practical, a wireless mesh system is the best solution for whole-home coverage. A mesh system consists of multiple nodes placed around the house that communicate with each other to create a single seamless network.

We install Ubiquiti UniFi mesh systems, TP-Link Deco and Eero Pro for residential installations. The difference between a mesh system and a WiFi extender is significant. Extenders create a separate network and halve bandwidth every time a device connects through them. Mesh nodes communicate on a dedicated backhaul channel and maintain a single network name throughout the house.

Router and Firewall Installation Melbourne

The router sits between the NBN modem and the rest of the network. It manages traffic between devices on the local network and the internet, assigns IP addresses via DHCP, and in most business installations acts as the first line of network security.

For home installations we configure the modem/router supplied by the ISP or recommend a replacement if the supplied unit is inadequate for the coverage area or device count.

For business installations we install dedicated firewalls and routers separate from the modem. Common platforms we work with are Ubiquiti UniFi Security Gateway and Dream Machine series, Cisco Meraki MX for larger installations, Fortinet FortiGate for businesses with more complex security requirements, and pfSense on appropriate hardware for budget conscious small business jobs.

Network Segmentation and VLANs

A flat network where every device is on the same subnet is a security risk. If one device is compromised, everything on the network is accessible.

We configure VLANs to segment networks into separate zones. A typical small business setup might have a staff network VLAN, a guest WiFi VLAN, an IoT device VLAN for printers and smart devices, and a server VLAN. Traffic between VLANs is controlled by firewall rules. A guest on the guest WiFi can’t access the file server. An IoT device on the IoT VLAN can’t talk to staff laptops.

Network Security

A properly installed network has security built in from the start. Not added as an afterthought.

Firewall rules control what traffic is allowed between network segments and between the internal network and the internet.

WPA3 encryption on wireless networks. WPA2 is still acceptable but WPA3 is the current standard and should be used on new installations.

Strong WiFi passwords on all SSIDs. Not the default password on the router label.

Default admin credentials changed on every piece of network equipment. Routers, switches and access points shipped with default usernames and passwords are one of the most common security vulnerabilities we find when assessing existing networks.

Guest network isolation so visitors get internet access without access to any internal resources.

Firmware updates on all network equipment. Outdated router and switch firmware is a common attack vector.

NBN Connection and Internet Setup

Our internet technician Melbourne team works with all NBN connection types including FTTP, FTTN, FTTC, HFC and Fixed Wireless. We also install and configure Starlink satellite internet and Opticomm connections.

For business installations we advise on the right NBN tier for the number of staff and the type of work being done. A small office with ten staff doing video calls, file sharing and cloud applications will have a different requirement to a warehouse with basic email and browsing.

We configure Quality of Service settings on business routers to prioritise time-sensitive traffic like VoIP calls and video conferencing over less critical traffic like file downloads.