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net work set up

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by v10charlie 1 view

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i've been out of the tech loop for 15 years after returning to my joy that of owning and running a charter fishing boat along the east coast.
i've recently returned to computer tech work part time, after retiring and find i need to build, install and set up a new net work with 6 work stations for a very close buddy's shop.
can the better in knowage point me to where i can obtain information on setting up the sever and proper wiring of a net work?

i'm only comptia certified and really a still a bit dense when i get into more then building work station /home computers. if this buddy was not such a close one i would have run. any and all help is much thanked

10 replies

by talknerdy2me

What will this network's purpose be? Will they be running a database program from the server? Will you be needing an exchange email server? Will the users need remote access to the network? As much detail about the use of the network would help to determine the equipment and software that you will need. My advice is to get a good powerful server running sbs2003 and set up the 6 clients using XP Pro (also keep in mind the release of VISTA coming in the next few months so whether you want to hold out till the new software release to buy the equipment is your choice) You will also need a good router/switch, my advice is the Linksys RV015 VPN router, which is what we use. Depending on the needs of the company you might consider other options such as battery backup source (UPS), tape backup drives, and things of that nature. I would talk closely with your friend and find out his specific needs and concerns and then you can decide how you will build the network. Security is essential and you can find dozens of websites out there that can help you find good security practices that keep the users and equipment safe. Best of luck!

by hal 9000

If you would like to add some more information on what is required here I'll attempt to help you out. But as the above poster has already said that it all depends on what is being done at this particular business as to how you proceed. I would at the very least have a UPS on the server and possibly if the mains are a bit iffy I would have every computer connected to a UPS to isolate them from the mains. That work out far cheaper replacing batteries every few years than dead computers do in severe situations.

But that's just from personal experience a UPS is a lot cheaper and faster to replace than a dead computer even if it's only a dead Power Supply.

Col

by hal 9000

Well you are going to need a single Router to act as a defence between the Outside World and the Server. The Second NIC should then feed the switch that all the other computers connect to so that they have access to the Server for the necessary files.

If you where to connect the Router to the Internet and feed everything from that you would basically have no security at all other than the minimum amount provided by the Router come Switch to use this Unit properly you'll have to configure it as a Pass Through Unit so it can allow the Workstations access to the Server. If you wish to use the router to protect everything and just share everything inside of it you'll need AV products on all the internal computers and they will have direct access tot he Web & incoming E-Mail so you'll need both Spy Ware and AV products on everything and the server will only really be acting as a Network Share and not doing anything else that the OS allows it to perform though with such a Low End unit this might not be such a bad thing other than the RAID & Tape Backup that's lower than the specs on my NB that is a disposable tool for my work.

It's really not the right tool for the job unless you are only considering using it as a [b]File Share[/b] and even then there may be problems with Network Speed that is available from it when everyone is working . Please at least tell me that every computer has a Gigabyte NIC and that the Router/Switch is a Gigabyte Unit as well. If you are just looking at a 100 T Base the Network speed even for 11 workstations will be really slow and only get worse if several people are accessing the same file at the same time.

While this will be a Domain it will behave like a Peer to Peer Network but with more Terminals. It's not an ideal way to implement a system and retain security and usability.

by hal 9000

OH I see [b]Small Business[/b] That setup will work and if you need E-Mail on each workstation you can setup Exchange on the Server I'm taking it that he won't spring for a copy of ISA to run on the Server either so you'll need to keep it tight. The up side is that Cisco supplies decent hardware and regular updates for their routers so that shouldn't be a problem.

Setup the Server with 2003 SB as the Domain Controller and all the XP machines as on that Domain you should only run into possible slow downs at peek usage times and when the Backup is being run as this will slow the system down dramatically. Can you stretch to a UPS on the Server, Router and Switch?

If you can include this as it will save the server if anything goes wrong with the mains supply and will keep the thing running so that any incoming E-Mail can be collected, even if the workstations are not working you'll have the incoming mail which is important.

The following link is a step by step setup of 2003 SBS

http://tinyurl.com/oprbk

This site might also be useful as well as it's the complete Setup Procedure for 2003

http://tinyurl.com/qlrfz

Lets know if you need any more information and I'll see what I can dig up. :)

Col

by v10charlie

the server has sbs 2003r2 2 drives on a raid useing sata drives. tape back up. single 3.0 ghz. p4 chip. and 2gb ddr ram. i have a cisco firewall router and a 12 hole router/switch for the wireing. all work stations have xp pro. 2.4 p4's and 512mb ddr sdram , sata drives of 40gb each. the main need is as a file,email server and back up of files.
what i no longer can find is the information i had from school on proper wireing and server set up.

by v10charlie

the small sever has 2 gigabyte nics. all work stations have 1 gigabyte nic. my plan had been to use the cisco router as a fence/block before the server and into it. the second gigabyte nic to the switch for the other work stations. all have av/ spyware installed along with office 2003. 3 are file shareing 2 are just internet access to automotive repair programs and 1 is only ups shipping.
there at most any time 2 work stations working.
while the sever is low end it was built with parts i had around and a very small budget to work with. we need to only back up 3 programs, auto shop, ups shipping and some office/docs so i am hopeing it works, "he really needs to bust loose with some more $$ and let dell or hp build him a proper server" outlook is his most used for email orders . wiring into the building is t1 that is enough for sure.
i'm still at loose as to where i can find internet help in setting it all up and not have pier to pier back up/slow down as he now has

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