Overview

Laguna Hills Family Dentistry wanted to improve network performance and security for their office network, including a server, desktop workstations, printers, and wireless devices. 

Objectives

Upgrade the practice’s outdated network infrastructure to improve security and reliability, and to provide wireless access for mobile devices.

Approach

Linksys installed a Business Gigabit VPN Router, a 28-Port Business Managed Gigabit PoE+ Switch, and a Business Wireless-AC Dual-Band Access Point to improve network performance, security, and wireless coverage throughout the office.

Background

Under the direction of Dr. Aida Shahangian, Laguna Hills Famil Dentistry is committed to providing the best possible dental care to its patients from Laguna Hills and the surrounding communities. Part of that commitment involves keeping up with developments in technology—not just adopting the latest procedures and equipment, but also maintaining a secure and reliable office network that’s able to protect patient confidentiality and meet everyday business needs.

Once it became apparent that their existing office infrastructure was no longer up to the high standards of Dr. Shahangian and her team, Laguna Hills Family Dentistry turned to Linksys for a more robust and secure business network capable of helping them meet their expectations and responsibilities.

The Challenge

The existing office network consisted of a DSL line to an AT&T wireless router, connected to a Cisco router, then to a Netgear unmanaged switch with Ethernet cable connections to a server and four workstations, including one at the front desk and three terminals in the examination rooms. Two office printers were connected to the wireless network outside the Cisco router, creating a potential security vulnerability. The doctor’s personal laptop and employee mobile devices also used the wireless router for Internet access, but could not access the office network. Wireless coverage, based on the older Wireless-G standard, was inconsistent throughout the office.

The Solution

Linksys reconfigured the AT&T router for pass-through traffic, then installed a Linksys LRT214 Business Gigabit VPN Router as the outward-facing interface with the public Internet. This created a permanent public IP address and makes it possible for the staff IT manager to access the office network remotely when necessary.

A single Linksys 28-Port Business Managed Gigabit PoE+ Switch now provides secure cable connections to the server, workstations, and printers, protecting patient confidentiality according to industry standards and government regulations.

Conclusion

Linksys helped Laguna Hills Family Dentistry eliminate security vulnerabilities and sluggish performance by installing a complete, business-grade Linksys solution that dramatically improved the performance and reliability of their office network. Even as the practice continues to grow, their new Linksys network infrastructure will support business and patient needs for years to come.