# Small Office Network Support Source: https://dijitulsupport.co.uk/network-support/ Updated: 2026-10-10 > dijitul support looks after small office networks in the UK: routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, IP address conflicts and slow or unreliable connections. We diagnose and configure remotely wherever possible, at £45 an hour + VAT. New installs, cabling and hardware swaps need someone on site, so they are quoted upfront before any work starts. ## Common symptoms - The whole office slows down at certain times of day - A device keeps getting 'IP address conflict' warnings - Shared drives or the printer disappear from the network - Staff working from home cannot connect to the VPN - Nobody knows the admin password for the router or switch - Two routers are fighting each other after a broadband change ## Key facts - Remote network diagnosis and configuration at £45 an hour + VAT - Covers routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, DHCP and DNS - Fixes IP conflicts, double NAT and devices dropping off the network - New network installs, cabling and hardware swaps are quoted upfront - We document your network: IP ranges, devices, admin logins and suppliers - We never claim to hold hardware stock; we advise on what to buy ## What a small office network includes Most small offices have the same building blocks: a broadband router from the ISP, sometimes a separate firewall, one or more network switches, Wi-Fi access points, and devices such as PCs, printers, phones and a NAS. Problems usually come from how those pieces were added over the years, often by different people. dijitul support maps what you have, fixes what is broken and writes it down. Most of this can be done remotely once we can reach a PC on your network. For the full range of IT services, see IT support. We work with whatever equipment you already have, whether that is the router your ISP supplied, a business firewall or a mix of switches bought over the years, and only suggest replacing it when there is a clear reason. ## Common network faults ### IP address conflicts Two devices given the same address, often because a printer was set a static IP inside the router's DHCP range. We move static devices outside the DHCP pool or create DHCP reservations. ### Double NAT When a new ISP router is added in front of an existing router, both hand out addresses. VPNs, VoIP phones and remote access often break. We put one device into modem or bridge mode, or set up passthrough. See broadband and router support. ### Slow network at busy times Usually broadband saturation from cloud backups or large uploads, a failing switch port negotiating at 100 Mbps instead of 1 Gbps, or a network loop. We check port speeds and traffic and adjust. ### Wi-Fi rather than wired Many 'network' problems are actually Wi-Fi. See Wi-Fi support. ## VPNs and remote access If staff need to reach files or systems in the office from home, a VPN is one way to do it. Older PPTP VPNs are insecure and should be replaced. We configure modern options such as WireGuard or IPsec on suitable routers and firewalls, with MFA where supported. Often the better answer is to move files into SharePoint or OneDrive so no VPN is needed at all. See home working IT support and SharePoint and OneDrive support. ## Network security basics - **Change default admin passwords** on routers, switches and access points, and store them safely. - **Keep firmware updated**; router vulnerabilities are a frequent attack route. - **Separate guest and business networks** with a guest Wi-Fi or a VLAN, so visitors cannot see your PCs and NAS. - **Close unused port forwards**, especially old remote desktop (RDP) forwards on port 3389. - **Turn off UPnP** on the router where it is not needed. See firewall support and cyber security support. ## Documenting your network When something breaks, the slowest part of the fix is often working out how things are connected. As part of any network job we record the basics so the next problem is quicker to solve: - Your ISP, broadband account reference and router model. - The IP range, DHCP pool and any static or reserved addresses for printers, NAS and phones. - Every switch and access point, where it is, and how it is connected. - Port forwards and firewall rules, and why each one exists. - Where admin passwords are stored, which should be a password manager, not a sticky note. You get a copy. It belongs to you, so you are never locked in to us or anyone else. ## What is remote and what is quoted Diagnosis, router and firewall configuration, VPN setup, DHCP and DNS changes, and firmware updates are usually done remotely at £45 an hour + VAT, with a 30-minute minimum then 15-minute blocks. Network installs, structured cabling, replacing switches or mounting access points need hands on site, so we quote them upfront and tell you exactly what hardware to buy. Office moves are quoted too. On the Complete plan at £99 a month + VAT, routine network changes can come from your 3 included hours. See the pricing page or ask for a quote. ## FAQs ### How much does network support cost? Remote network diagnosis and configuration from dijitul costs £45 an hour + VAT, with a 30-minute minimum. New installs, cabling and on-site hardware work are quoted upfront so you know the cost before we start. ### Can you fix network problems remotely? Usually, yes. If one PC on the network can get online, dijitul can connect to it and from there reach your router, switches and access points to diagnose and reconfigure them. ### What is double NAT and why does it matter? Double NAT happens when two routers both hand out addresses, often after a new ISP router is added. It can break VPNs, VoIP and remote access. dijitul fixes it by putting one device into bridge or modem mode. ### Do you install office networks? Yes, as a quoted project. dijitul plans the layout, advises on switches, access points and cabling, and configures everything. Physical installation needs a site visit, which is quoted upfront. We tell you exactly which equipment to buy, so you are not paying a markup on hardware. ### Do small businesses need a separate firewall? Not always. Many ISP routers include a basic firewall that is fine for a small office. Businesses with remote access needs, VLANs or compliance requirements often benefit from a dedicated firewall. dijitul advises based on your setup. ## Pricing and contact Support plans from £25 a month + VAT, or £45 an hour + VAT for one-off fixes. Plans: Essential £25/month + VAT (Website software updates (core, plugins, themes) applied and checked, Daily backups, Uptime monitoring, Security monitoring); Business £50/month + VAT (Everything in Essential, 1 hour of fixes or changes every month, Priority support); Complete £99/month + VAT (Everything in Business, 3 hours of fixes or changes every month, IT and Microsoft 365 helpdesk for your team). Ad-hoc support is £45 an hour + VAT. The first 30 minutes are the minimum charge, then we bill in 15-minute blocks. Contact: 01623 650333, support@dijitul.uk, https://dijitulsupport.co.uk/contact/