Can anyone remember not having a network? It`s like trying to remember using a computer without a mouse – we know we did it, but it just seems ridiculous now.

It is this complete reliance on networking that is ironically putting the squeeze on networking companies. Most instances of the technology have become commoditised. Even Dell is getting into the game – a sure sign if ever there was one that buying a network is on the same level as buying a new PC. The only decisions left to the consumer should be how fast it needs to be, and which vendor to choose. The vendor choice is the less important of those two factors, and can be made through brand loyalty or flipping a coin, with equal results.