Setting up a LAN

[bluchip]

Hello. I am a student and I need to do research on managing an information system.

I have to pick a business and see what they have and then propose something that I feel would work better.

The company I looked at has no information management system at all. In this case I need to build something.

I believe that a LAN would answer the question. However, Although I am computer literate, I am not literate in the are of networking.

So, where can I get information on how to set up a business to tie three different geographic locations (approx 15 miles) together?

Would a LAN work in this instance?

I would appreciate any and all help and advice.

[ECA]

Ok,
First, you need to see WHAT access they HAVe to create a LAN... And The price of setting such UP. Then HOW MUCH data they REALLY need to send. Why set up a mega system when all you need to send is 900k aday.

Wired: Phone, DSL, ISDN, Cable, T1, T2, Internet?
What services can the Phone company HELP with? At what price? Laying your OWN line can be a PAIN.

UnWired/Wireless: RANGE, Line of Sight, Relays, 802.11g, 800mhz, 900mhz, Laser, ????
Lets see, Line of sight. ALWAYS aim for MORe range then you NEED. Just cuz its 10 miles dont mean you get a GOOD signal with a 10 mile range, Aim for 1.5x-2x the range. If its 10 miles away, aim for 15 to 20. IF you can SEE each location, even from a Height/antenna YOU WILL BE BETTER OFF. How Much to INSTALL/Licence an antenna.
There are LOTS of formats. From Short wave, to Microwave, and it depends on how much data you want. 1mhz is about 1 bit of data per second(1 bps). A cell phone can get 9600bps and is looking to increase this.

LAST is the system itself. The OS, needs to be easily setup, and fast enough, without spending $100,000 for something NOT needed(VERY EASY). Then think of a secondary system for backup(ALWAYS).