Server newbie for a small business

[FN-GM]

What good makes of switches, Cisco are probably the bets make but it's debateable.

[john]

I would go for a true SBS 2003 Setup. My local charity used to run a network that sounds just like yours and it was semi-ok, but they all agree now that a server was the right way to go. You get MS Exchange, SQL, Central usernames, central backup, storage etc all in one box which makes it brilliant.

 

HP often have offers on the ML110 servers with SBS2003 R2 thrown on them so you just turn them on and configure them and its all done. There are many good books out there on SBS 2003 so get one of them they are great, I have the MS Press one and its very handy for just checking as it does have a couple of small little qwerks that 2003 Std doesn't do.

 

So get one and don't worry you won't regret it.

[Messa]

Hi,

 

I would definatly recomend Dell for your server and clients, as for your network switches your pc's may come with Gigabit network cards so go with Gigabit Switches you can pick some desktop ones up for about £30 for 8 Ports i understand you will only have 10 clients but it's there for any future expansion and will be fast for Imaging, if you decide to do this.

[james3200]

Thanks for the messages.

 

We got the server yesterday and have been trying to set it up. Having a few problems mind due..

 

Would anyone on here who lives around Croydon / London like to help me set it up and run it through with me? If so PM or post a message and we can discuss costs etc..

 

Many thanks,

James

[craiglay]

Word of warning on cheap gigabit switches..

 

I have an 8 port Netgear gigabit (one of the prosafe ones) and two Dell servers, a 430 series and an 840 series. Both have Broadcom network cards. The Netgear switch would keep dropping the link when the network was under load. (only 3 devices connected, all gig) resulting in temp network failure. It seemed fine on Realtek network cards.

 

Plugged it into a Dell PowerConnect 2324, it was fine, Plugged it into a HP 2324 with Gig expansion, and its fine. Just the switch. I recommend the PowerConnect 2324 (24 10/100 ports and 2 gig ports) cheap, does the job and will allow future expansion.

 

Craig

[james3200]

Thats what we got the PowerConnect 2324, recommended by a good tech on the dell team