This page covers acquiring the equipment. Wireless network design, firewall configuration and cabling are described on the Business Wi-Fi, Business firewall and Structured cabling pages. Product names are mentioned only to describe the need.
Short answer
You describe your premises, your devices and the equipment in place: your request is reviewed by the Courtier TI team, then entrusted to the IT services company that will prepare your quote and supply the equipment. Configuration, installation and support are set with you.
What the quote should cover
- An inventory of the equipment in place and the devices to connect
- Switches: number of ports and power over Ethernet if needed
- Wi-Fi access points and the firewall, based on the chosen design
- UPS units for equipment that must stay powered
- Initial configuration, including changing default passwords
- Vendor support: updates, replacement and duration
- Removal and wiping of old equipment
Start from the inventory
List what needs to be connected: computers, printers, IP phones, cameras, Wi-Fi access points, servers, payment terminals. State the number of employees, the floors or sites to connect and the expected growth. Attach the list of equipment in place, with its age if you know it.
If you are adding IP phones, the VoIP phone system page describes the other items to plan for. If new network jacks are needed, structured cabling is part of the same project.
Switches
For switches, state the number of devices connected at each location, keeping spare ports for growth. The Office québécois de la langue française defines power over Ethernet (PoE) as a technique that delivers electric current to computer or telecommunications devices using the cables of an Ethernet network. Specify which devices you plan to power this way, such as Wi-Fi access points, IP phones or cameras, so the quote accounts for it. If you want to separate some devices on distinct networks, mention it too.
Wi-Fi access points and firewall
The number and location of Wi-Fi access points depend on the wireless network design, described on the Business Wi-Fi page. Choosing and configuring the firewall, with its security subscriptions, is described on the Business firewall page. A single request can combine the equipment and these services.
UPS units
State which devices must keep running during a power outage (firewall, switches, phones, server), how long you want them to run on the UPS and whether the equipment must then shut down cleanly. Ask the quote to state the expected run time of the proposed UPS units and what is connected to them.
Configuration and updates
The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's baseline cyber security controls for small and medium organizations ask organizations to implement secure configurations for all their devices by changing all default passwords, turning off unnecessary features and enabling all relevant security features (BC.4.1). They also ask organizations to enable automatic patching for all software and hardware or establish full vulnerability and patch management solutions (BC.2.1).
For equipment that is not capable of automatic updates, the Centre asks organizations to conduct a risk assessment to decide whether to replace it and, if they keep it, to have a business process to ensure regular manual updates (BC.2.2). Ask the quote to state who applies updates after installation.
Vendor support
Ask the quote to state what vendor support includes for the proposed equipment: access to firmware updates, replacement of a faulty device, length of the manufacturer's warranty and the announced end-of-support date, if any. Also specify in whose name the management accounts and subscriptions are registered: they should belong to the company.
Removing old equipment
The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's publication ITSAP.40.006 lists routers and printers among the devices to sanitize before disposal. It points out that a factory reset makes data inaccessible through the device's interface but does not truly erase it. Ask the quote to state how old equipment is removed and wiped, and what document you receive.
What to specify in your request
- The list of devices to connect, by location
- The devices to power over Ethernet
- The floors or sites to connect
- The equipment in place and its age
- The devices that must stay powered during an outage
- The person who will manage the equipment after installation
You can then describe your project: the team will contact you to clarify your needs and provide a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is power over Ethernet (PoE)?
According to the Office québécois de la langue française, it is a technique that delivers electric current to computer or telecommunications devices using the cables of an Ethernet network. State in the request which devices you plan to power this way, so the proposed switches account for it.
Should equipment that no longer receives updates be replaced?
The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security asks organizations to conduct a risk assessment to decide whether to replace hardware that is not capable of automatic updates and, if they keep it, to update it manually on a regular basis (BC.2.2).
Does network equipment need a UPS?
It depends on your needs. If phones, internet access or the server must stay available during a power outage, say so in the request, with the devices concerned and the run time you want.
Should an old router be wiped before getting rid of it?
Yes. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's publication ITSAP.40.006 lists routers among the devices to sanitize before disposal.
How is this different from the Firewall and Business Wi-Fi pages?
This page covers acquiring the equipment. The Business firewall and Business Wi-Fi pages describe the design and configuration of these items.