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Remote Offices Growing Fast - Servers

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by basher 1 view

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Hello. I have several remote offices that were at one time under 5 users. Now they are growing with over 10 - 15 users, and the once W2K Pro pseudo server can not accept more than 10 connections. I'm looking for the best solution, whether it be W2K Server or W2K Small Business Server, or Linux. My home office network has W2K Server / Exchange 2000 running, each remote office thru a VPN connection sends/receives email. It would be nice to be able to let each office handle email, interofficeemail would not route thru home office, and internet email would not route thru home office. Also, how well can W2K server Push/Pull company file shares, it'd be nice to have our files sync with other servers. Any Thoughts!! Thanks, Bill

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by george ewing

The traditional solution here is to install a BDC in each remote site, turn directory replication on, and insure that your WAN connection is large enough to handle the data/email traffic.

You left out some information (like pipe size) so I don't know what else to offer.

by timwalsh

Although SBS may look like a good solution for a limited number of users, it is limited to a total of only 50 users. It is also designed for a single site environment. It can not be joined to a larger Active Directory or Exchange organization.

Other issues:

To handle email the way you describe, you would have to either install Exchange (or some other email server) at each site, or outsource your email to an ISP. While certainly do-able, you are either increasing the administrative workload (or creating the need for an Exchange administrator at each site), or you are placing your email in the hands of an outside organization (which could raise security concerns).

By "syncing file shares", are you talking about having a copy of files reside on each individual server? This may make for an unacceptable network traffic load if you don't have high-speed connections between offices. A better bet would be to have a central repository (your home office) for files shared among all of your offices and have user's connect over the network.

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