Our company is in the process of buying a Production Planning Software
Package which requires a
server to run from. At present we have 3 computers just set up Peer to
Peer,the system we are going to install
is going to be a server and 5 desktop computers all bought from new.
My question how hard is it to set up a server network? we will all be in the
same room and do not need any remote access
just general file and print sharing separate email addresses internet access
etc (just the basics)
is it something anyone with a bit of computer experience can do (i have set
up basic networks before)
or do you need a professional? are there any good web sites out there worth
looking at to help in the process ?
what equipment will i need (apart from the computers)?

any help will be most appreciated

A question do you plan to have these 5 computers connected to the internet  ?

You do have experience in setting up networks. With that then, it really
depends which configuration you would like to go with.

Assuming these computers will not be hooked up to the net there are plenty
of options

Option 1)
If your a small business and would like to save money and only plan on
having these 5 computers networked together and not hook in to the internet.
All you really need is the 5 computers and buy a Dlink 8 port hub/switch that
probably runs around $30. Set up all the computers with a generic IP ..like
192.168.0.20, 192.168.0.21,etc... Then setup your workgroups and your file
sharing.  Also if your planning to all share a printer. Get a network printer
that can be connected to the hub. An 8 port hub would be good in case you
decide to expand your closed network from 5 computers to 7 or 8 computers.
Depending if you also have a network printer connected in as well.

Option 2)
This one is if your company can afford all the goodies. You would have all 5
computers plus a server box. The server could have Windows Server 2003
installed on it. Don't know how much it costs? Would it be with in your
companies budget?You then setup the options like what would you like the
server to handle. Things like DHCP service for your 5 computer, file sharing
server, ftp server, POP3 (mail server) don't know if you would need that
since you are in a closed network? Thou it would be fun to get some practise
in setting the POP3 service up and send mail back and forth. Run a router
connected to all computers with RJ45 Cat cabling ethernet cable to computers
with Dlink 10/100  ethernet cards. Why Dlink cards I have had no problems
with these cards through the many years of using their product. Very reliable
product. Or for super fast transfers all your computers would have to have a
64 Bit PCI slot. Install 1000Mbps fibre optic cards in the 64 BIT PCI Slots.
Fibre optic capable router and transfer files a lightning speeds. The fibre
option may be going to extremes.

Option 3) Is just about the same as option 2

You would have all 5 computers plus a server box. The server would have
either Mandrake Linux, Red Hat Linux or Unix installed on it. Linux software
is considerably affordable Operating Systems and very reliable for stability?
This would be in your companies budget. You then setup the options like what
would you like the server to handle. Things like DHCP service for your 5
computer, file sharing server, ftp server, POP3 (mail server) don't know if
you would need that since you are in a closed network? Thou it would be fun
to get some practise in setting the POP3 service up and send mail back and
forth. Connect all computers with ethernet cabling, a router and Dlink 10/100
ethernet cards. The only thing left to do is setup workgroups.

So many different configurations of networks its really what you need vs
what you want.

It's simple to do. You could do it yourself with some patience. It would be
a good learning experience.

Save some money and gain knowledge

I hope this leads you down the correct path

If you have some Windows and networking knowledge you could probably muddle
through and get a working system. It is not what I would recommend. Setting
up a Windows server isn't a step by step one way fits all type of thing.
Many decisions have to be made that may be hard to change later on. Look for
a local company that does this. Ask for references. Phone the references.
There are many consultants that probably don't have much more knowledge than
you. If the wiring is in place and you are not transferring any data from
the old computers then I wouldn't expect the setup to take more than eight
to ten hours. It will be money well spent to protect you from future
headaches because the network and server were not configured properly from
the start. You can pay a little now or pay a lot more later to fix it. The
alternative is to enroll in some courses and learn how to do it yourself.
This will cost you about the same as hiring a consultant if the courses are
any good. It may also not fit with your time frame. The benefit is you will
have the knowledge to properly administer the network as time goes on.

Show quoteHide quote

Ooops, that should read "take NO more than eight to ten hours"

Show quoteHide quote

Yes we would want Internet access on all computers.

A key question here would be: What resources in particular does this
software need?

With that unanswered there is every possibility of spending thousands on a
very powerful but unsuitable server.

The software may simply need a place to save its fies. Most packages in fact
fall into this category. If so you may not need any new hardware, just a
share made available on an existing computer.

The software may require an ODBC or similar connection, to store information
in a database. In this case the server must be of a type capable of providing
this connection.  Or, it may require an SQL server, in which case there are
several choices but not all may be suitable.

The software may require that a special service-process runs on the server
computer. In this case, if the service is only coded for one OS, then in
principle only that type of server will do.  (Sometimes you can get around
this by using WINE or Cygwin to simulate the other camp's OS, but not always)

Less likely but possible, it may be integrated into a specific
user-management scheme such as Active Directory. If so, the server must of
course be of that type.

So, before you buy, find out exactly what's needed.  Could save a lot of
aggro later. Or overspend.

BTW, the question of internet access is neither here nor there.  That can be
provided in many ways.

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