This questions may seem obvious to some or to others may solicite the response “huh?” Well, computers communicate. Otherwise, what’s the point? Commonly used communictions through computers include:
- Web
- Social Media
- File Transfers
- Databases
- Voice (Yes, voice as in people talking to other people or computers)
The first three items are pretty easy to understand and require an internet connection so here is the first clear requirement. Do you need to email, browse the web, or access social media? If yes, you definately need an internet connection. In today’s world most everyone needs or wants to do these, but not everyone. Believe it or not, I do have customers that do not have any sort of internet connection. Their PC is used as a Point of Sale system and since they do not connect it to the internet they have increased the security, decreased the requirements (no need for virus software here), and reduced their startup cost because no network equipment or cabling is required.
Point being, if you don’t need it, don’t do it.
Back to the list. Many users have the need to share files, access common databases, and otherwise communicate with the world outside of their walls. They will need a network and they will need an internet connection to do so. Do they need GigE? I doubt it. Most emails are about 10k so on a typical 100meg network that will transfer in about the time it takes you to blink so I guess if you need it 10 times faster, pay for the GigE.