Best way to setup network for a small office ?

[vrcatherine]

We have around 10-15 sytems ,all of them are currently standalone systems.

We are currently in the process of putting them all together in a network for FILE & INTERNET SHARING.

So whats the best approach for this?

Do we need to have a seperate Domain server or can we put
them all in One workgroup connected in one hub and use it.

We have Windows 2000 professional,XP professional & XP home systems .


Please advise !!!!


--Thanks

Cathy

 

[dcsnetwiz]

Hello Cathy,

You didnt mention what kind of connection you have at the office; (dsl, cable, dialup?) If you have dial-up, then you can utilize the internet connection sharing within either win2k, xp or xp home. A domain is out of the question unless you are capable of making registry changes to make XP HOME join a domain. In order for them to "see" each other which it sounds like you just want to do, join them all to the same workgroup; enable Netbios over TCP/IP on the IP stack. You will want to do this with a Router and a switch; assuming you have a high-speed connection. If you have just a dialup then use a hub or switch to network the machines together, then share out the dial-up connection for ICS.

Hope that helps
DCS2004

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

Since you have more than 10 systems, i recommend setting up a server in a domain enviroment. As 2k and XP will only allow upto 10 concurrent connections to each machine, so you will most likely run into sharing problems. You could however run a server in a workgroup enviroment to. Also recommend upgrading all the XP Home computers to XP Pro if you are going to create a domain or even a work group its much easier for networking. Sharing resources in a domain is much more easier than in a workgroup for shares and permissions are all down centrally.

 

[SGTRawlins]

Hi Cathy, Read the thread regarding the 'Workgroup Vs Domain' issue, this should help you out.

There is an extra expense of implementing a domain however when looking at the cost of ownership over a 3-4 year period, i.e. Admin Costs, Hardware upgrades and productivity imporvements you will find that in almost every case a 'Domain' is a winner.

Also there is a large scope for the expension of security systems when working from a domain, Through from virus protection to User access rights.

The there is the abilaty to implement a back-up solution and data management, these are much easier when all information is centralised on a domain server rather than distributed amoungst a workgroup, workgroups have a tendancy to become very unorganised and users can become lost, this costs money in tech support.

Gain from a Domain is my motto, haha.

 

[dkediger]

If you are going to go with a domain and new server - check into Microsoft's Small Business Server (SBS).

For $600 for the server software and 5 CALs plus another $600 for 10 additional CALs you can get the Standard edition which will get you Windows Server 2003 and Exchange 2003/Outlook 2003 for email. It can be setup to do internet routing for you.

 

[vrcatherine]

Thanks all for the replies.


We have a dial-up connection for now which is used only for
1 system. But if i wanted to share this connection, does the speed becomes slow ?


Or do i have to take a cable (internet) and then share it.

For now i would say workgroup will be fine.

How can i accomplish this:::

Just put all of them in one workgroup ("ABC") and make sure all the computers are connected to the same HUB.

Lets say if i get the cable modem , i should just run the cable modem into the HUB and will it work for internet sharing or do i have to do anything else.

 

[SGTRawlins]

Sorry to hear about the descision to go for a workgroup rather than a domain! dont worry though, plenty of people hear to stand by and say 'i told you so' when it all goes horrubly wrong.

Upgrade that dial-up cathy, ADSL is definatly the way to go with that many users, a cable router is probably the best bet, as you say connact this to you HUB and bobs your job, the other was is to get a USB modem, connect it to one of the PC's and opperate windows internet connection shring! however this is only marginly cheaper and will probably cause you alot of grief so is not advisable.

Cheers, Rob

 

[G3NO]

I´d say you just stick them all into one workgroup for a start. Hook a nice little broad band router up to your switch (which all workstations are connected to), and provide all stations with "internet".
The cost is not so high, you will be able to achieve your goals very fast and you will be able to use the router on a domain config if you decide to do so later.
Besides, the router will do DHCP. So you won´t be bothering about static configuration on all clients

Of course I must say creating a domain is a much more professional approach, as mentioned in posts above this one. In fact it makes things much more transparent and easier, if you know your way around handling domains.

I would take two steps on this issue.
First a workgroup and later migrate it to a domain.

You will have to think about your "WinXP home problem" See

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

for info on that subject.

Hope it helps
Damien

 

[vrcatherine]

I am not against DOMAIN concept, initially to start with I will go with WORKGROUP as we are a small company.


DSL OR CABLE MODEM.

Can we have CABLE Modem for Internet at our office for 10 users, or do we have to go with DSL ( i mean both cost wise and speed wise )?



DSL ROUTER OR CABLE MODEM
||
||
LINKSYS ROUTER ( 8 PORT ) DHCP ENABLED
||
||
16 PORT HUB
||
||
All workstations connected to this HUB.


Please correct me if I am wrong.


Thanks
--Cathy

 

[G3NO]

If you need a high bandwidth for upload, you will have to look out for what kind of DSL you are going for. SDSL or ADSL (synchron DSL / asynchron DSL).
An SDSL connection is the same speed for up- and download, where ADSL has grater download then upload bandwidth.
I would prefer a DSL router, because you have both functionalities in one box. Cablemodem and switch/hub.
If you already have a 16 port switch/hub, you could just link your DSL router to that and not use the network ports on the router. (Uplink)
So you won´t need a DSL router with lots of ports. I´d choose the hardware by price. If you get a DSL router with 4 ports for the same price as a DSL modem with only one port it doesn´t really matter.

Cheers

Damien

 

[SGTRawlins]

When implemeting a stratgy similar to this we went for the following.

DSL Modem/Router - Alactel do a good 4-port one

Hardware Firewall - for an 'always on' connecion it is worth protecting yourself, some routers do have a firewall built in, or you can get software firewalls that sit on your client but these are all pretty rubbish.

Un-managed Switch - I would use a switch rather than a hub, just because it saves the bother of having to ugrade when you expand to a domain.

If you want i will dig some part numbers up, i have recently installed a network for a company similar sizr to yours so i have all the details here, just ask.

 

[vrcatherine]

Got 2 simple questions ??


1) Whats the difference between a HUB & SWITCH ?

2) Since all the systems what we have are standalone and
they are not in the network, running cables is also
something we have think of. How does Wireless
network help us ?? or not in this initial stage ?



--Cathy

 

[FaiTHLeSS]

1 - Heres the answer to your hub and switch question, just taken from someones site,

http://www.granneman.com/techinfo/networking/hubsswitches.htm

and for the price nowadays there is no point in getting a hub since unmanged switches are so cheap.

2 - wireless would be a more expensive setup for hardware but there would be no cables cost, but more time in configuring it and securing it from the outside world. Also the speed depending on which wireless you went for you can have 11mbit(802.11b) or 54mbit(802.11g) and distance it can run can be limited depending on setup.

 

[GlenJohnson]

I have a cable modem coming into the business, with that attached to a wireless router. (This is confusing, as there is actually a cable going to a workstation, another cable going to a server, a wireless nic attached to a laptop and a wirless usb nic going to another workstation.) I have a domain, but most of the time when it's getting late at night, my server is turned off, and I'm just using the laptop which goes to the router. Definitely go with a high speed link, you'll never go back. If you do go wireless, make sure you have a firewall, even if it's a freebie like Zone Alarm light. Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
If you're from Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin check out Tek-Tips in Chicago, Illinois Forum.

TTinChicago

http://www.johnsoncomputers.us

 

[itsfisko]

Hi all I have 1 win 2000 sever setup servicing 100+ xp pro machines. I would like to set up 3 additional servers to share the load and to allow users in certain areas to access one of these servers,
Questions.
1.How easy is this to set up?
2.I presume the users will get authenticated by the first original server? or will they get authenticated by the nearest one?
3.What if the "main" server goes down will they still be able to logon?
4.does DNS DHCP Active Directory have to be setup on all the additional servers or does it somehow get transfered to the new sattelite servers
5. Does it matter what I call them?

I know its a lot of questions but where else can I ask but on the best site?
Thanks

Some lead, some follow....I just Hope!