Help on 20 computer Network Setup !!!!!!!

[CTISS]

I am going to be seting up a Network for the first time. Its going to have 20 users 7 for the business side and 13 for customers for a guest account. What do I need to set it up as far as the ISP what do I need from them and how should I go about setting it up internally. Should I use routers and set it up as a domain or should I set it up as workgroup. All users must be able to access the internet but I need security to make sure customers cannot access anything from the business as far as files and folders. And If I set up a workgroup do I need to up IP addresses or not. Any suggestions would be nice.
Thanks in advance!!!

 

[CitrixEngineer]

Depends how the server is accessed - from inside the LAN or outside, and whether a Firewall will be in place.

No point having a domain with so few users, and a single router will suffice to share internet connection.

Depends if the Workgroup is using TCP/IP or not, as far as IP addresses goes...

Hang on - this isn't a homework assignment, is it? CitrixEngineer@yahoo.co.uk

 

[nryan1980]

LOL

Homework... that's good. It's nice to get a chuckle while browsing the forums

 

[CharlieJax]

You will always need IP addresses.

If your office is small, as it seems to be, you can purchase a router that will handle your DHCP addressing for you and you don't have to worry about IP addresses.

I would setup a domain, so that you can use login scripts to map network drives, this allows for easier sharing of data.

A domain also allows for easier setting up of users, as any user can use any PC without having to create a new account on each machine.

If you are planning on having customers actualy use your PCs then they should be in a subdomain or a workgroup with a single signup that restricts their access.

As for the ISP, if you are running a website, host that out to someone else!!! That cuts down on your problems. Then all you need is a single IP for the router. You can get this connection to the internet in DSL, Cable, or any style you like.

If you host your own website then you will have to determine the average number of people you expect to come to the site and purchase bandwith to meet that need as well as setting up more secruity. Which is why, again, I say host the site on someone else's systems!!!

Many ISPs will host your site for you. I would give a call to a consulting company and get someone to help you, as it sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you and a lot of questions on the best path for your company to take.

CJ

Don't drink and post, save that for driving home!

 

[CitrixEngineer]

Quote "You will always need IP addresses." /Quote.

Not true; You won't need IP addresses if you're using NetBEUI or IPX - and why use TCP/IP, when NetBEUI is so much faster - not to mention more secure for a LAN, since it is non-routeable.

Why build a domain for such a small network - it's hardly worth it for 7 internal users. A Workgroup would do fine.

In this "theoretical" situation, you would only want 2 workgroups, for simplicity's sake - and to answer the hypothetical question I posed above - why use TCP/IP...? - you would want to use TCP/IP if all users have to be able to connect to the internet.
CitrixEngineer@yahoo.co.uk

 

[wbg34]

Because all users will need to be able to access the internet you will need to use TCP/IP. A simple router should handle all of your access needs.
While a domain is more complex and difficult to setup I think that it better suits your situation. Because you will be allowing 13 "guests" to access your LAN it makes more sense to set-up security for one user account then it does to maintain 13 seperate workstations. Setup the restrictions on one account, deny local logins and provide the user info to your "guests" and your good to go.

 

[CitrixEngineer]

Quote "Because all users will need to be able to access the internet you will need to use TCP/IP." /Quote

I think there's an echo in here or...

Quote "A simple router should handle all of your access needs." /Quote

Absolutely. Can't go wrong with a router.

As far as the Domain goes;

Depends on what is being accessed on the LAN and how - if it's just Web pages and they're being accessed internally from PCs set up for the purpose, or externally over the web, then a single W2k pro or Linux machine running Apache will do the job nicely. Any data they need to access can be simply scripted using Perl and MySQL. Set up a guest account and you're live. Using Linux/Apache will make the whole web interface that bit more secure - so no issues with security here.

Presumably the 13 customers will not all be accessing the data simultaneously (this is not stated), so again, no need for a domain. We still don't know if the customers are physically coming in to the office or accessing remotely - this has not been specified.

I can't see anything in what you've outlined that can't be achieved using Windows NT/2000/XP Pro Workstations in a Workgroup, or a bunch of Linux-based PCs. No Domain needed with Linux - and far greater security.

This still looks like an MCSE style question - in which case I'd fail. Just shows how much I know... (passed the W2k exam ages ago).

Hope this helps those in the real world and confuses lazy students posting homework - oh, and no offence, wbg34 CitrixEngineer@yahoo.co.uk

 

[wbg34]

No offense taken Citrix you are absolutely right that this setup can be accomplished easily with two workgroups one for employees and one for guests. The only reason that I would set up a domain is for security purposes. If they are using linux machines, then a domain is a waste of time. But if they are stuck with Win2k or XP machines, then the extra time spent setting up a domain is well worth it. Only having to setup and maintain security 8 user accounts instead of 20 machines will save them a ton of time comapred to a workgroup. Not to mention excellent training for future jobs.