Best topology

There are a lot of factors that influence that type of decision. For example, what type of server are you currently (or planning on) running (machine specs / operating system)? What sort of growth are you anticipating in the future (3-5 years)? What sort of workstations are you using? What are you expecting to do with the server (file/print, applications, web site, etc.)?

When we worked through a similar situation at the church I attend we ended up opting for a Terminal Server approach.It was somewhat expensive up-front, but it not only allows for the current and future use (3-5 years out) but it allows tremendous power and flexibility. All the computers attached to it are -166s or -233s (all donated), but we routinely manage large databases and spreadsheets with no issues at all (because all apps run on the server). We're small enough (9 machines connected) that the management of it is not bad.

If you'd like some further help, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd be happy to lend whatever assistance I can.

Connect the four computers as Workgroup. Install most of the applications/programs on one machine which you ideally considered as a Server and share all those applications to the other three machines. Create the users of the three workstations as local users of the "server" so they can access those applications. Creating a workgroup is cheaper because you can use Windows 98, Windows ME, or even Windows 95 as the operating systems in all four machines, unlike in a Server/Client platform, in which you have to purchase a "Server" operating system like Novel Server or a Windows 2000 Server, apart from the operating system of your workstations.

I would recommend a simple TCP/IP network using a star topology. use 100mb ethernet cards, cat-5 cable and a switch (probably an 8 port in case you need to expand later). If you need shared internet connectivity, set that up on the server and share it with the clients. Exact details would depend on your server OS and needed functionality...

Ethernet networks with a hub/switch and star topology are super common because they are relatively fast, inexpensive, simple to configure and easy to monitor/maintain.

If you need more specifics and details let us know.

Here are a couple of great reference sites:

http://www.labmice.net/networking/default.htm

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

Good luck...hope this helps!

This question was auto closed due to inactivity