A large company, geographically distributed with a large number of users. In this context, an enterprise-level network of computers refers to the network belonging to an enterprise; that is, a network that typically consists of thousands of computers distributed across several geographically remote locations and connected by WAN links.
Enterprise-level networks generally use the TCP/IP protocol and are divided into a number of smaller networks called subnets, which are joined using routers. Enterprise-level networks are often heterogeneous networks consisting of different protocols and operating systems such as Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 2000, Novell NetWare, and varieties of UNIX, all interoperating to various degrees. Enterprise-level networks can include legacy mainframe and minicomputer systems as well.
This mixture of systems and protocols can make it challenging to administer and manage an enterprise-level network and offers a good argument for upgrading legacy systems to newer, standardized ones. Companies can save considerable costs in the long run by upgrading their networks to secure, reliable, scalable network operating systems such as Windows NT and Windows 2000.
The initial cost of upgrades and training are quickly recouped through lower maintenance and administration costs, the result of migrating an enterprise’s heterogeneous combination of systems and protocols to a homogeneous network consisting of computers running Windows NT or Windows 2000, and running TCP/IP.