Regarding a Small Business network infastructure
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Main Location:
Server computer running MS small business server 2003 (it's just a 200
server theyre trying to fool ya :P) hooked up to a hub or a switch...
would i need a router... and explain what's a VPN router ? this server
would be hooked up to 4 other networked computer all having access to
payrolls word documents quick books and the production software(were a
fashion design company)
2nd location... this location branced off about 10 blocks from the
main server... i want this server to have full application access also
in real time meaning i want them to seet he iventory and also have
access to it in real time... also i need this place.. to very
importantly have access to our office printer in our main branch...
which is a industry size printer.
3nd location... lastly... this location is about a 100 miles off to a
warehouse... where there would be inventory this is just one
ocmputer... how would i link this to the company network
So, my question is concerning building of a small business network the
thing is the demands for the network presume that i would need to have
application sharing meaning quick books excel worksheets etc... also a
big factor that plays into this and is of great confusion is that i
dont kno how to use our industrial size printer which we have in one
location for the uses of our other location on a re4al-time basis. I'm
not a networking techie but our budget is short and i'm pretty
computer savy although i dont see a problem with building a network,
i've never built one before. But i took CCNA for awhile, i kno how to
run the lines, hook up the hardware portion again i dont kno if i;m to
use a switch or a hub for the connection for the computers in the main
branch, after all of this i would like to kno what is the pricing
summary that i would have to charge. Note: the person is my uncle and
this is my first time doing a job of this proportion, as much as i
would like him to get a real professional... money plays in all of our
games :P.
in conclusion... everythings messy but this is my idea... i need alot
of brushing up i kno you guys can propose something in a matter of
seconds.. what do you guys suggest ?
Rick
> My Proposal (might wanna read the bottom first)
>
> Main Location:
> Server computer running MS small business server 2003 (it's just a 200
> server theyre trying to fool ya :P) hooked up to a hub or a switch...
> would i need a router... and explain what's a VPN router ?
Hubs are cheaper but switches will give you better performance. A hub
broadcasts packets out all ports whereas a switch learns where the
traffic is flowing and then only sends messages port to port. A VPN
router uses encryption to establish a private network over a public
network (such as the Internet). You can either have your distant
sites as remote users (e.g., dial up connections), *or* on their own
LAN which is connected to the main LAN. It is usually cheaper to do
the latter if your remote users are in the same location and can be
networked (you pay for one line rather than many). A private network
(i.e., the connection between the main and remote site is a dedicated
leased line) will be more secure and give you better performance than
a VPN over the Internet (in general). The warehouse could be dialup,
depending on the amount of traffic and how real time you want the
inventory. If you want real time, then leased line would be best (and
cost the most).
> 2nd location... this location branced off about 10 blocks from the
> main server... i want this server to have full application access also
> in real time meaning i want them to seet he iventory and also have
> access to it in real time... also i need this place.. to very
> importantly have access to our office printer in our main branch...
> which is a industry size printer.
Your choices:
1) Link the main and 2nd location with a dedicated leased line if you
can afford it and need real time performance. You will need a router
at both locations, Cisco has some nice small business units. This is
the best option but is probably the most expensive.
2) Establish a VPN through the Internet. You will need VPN routers at
both locations as well as Internet connections (provided by an ISP -
Internet Service Provider). Encryption will slow things down a bit,
but if you get a high speed connection it would make up for it. The
big pain in the you-know-what is maintaining security. Encryption
keys should be changed on a regular basis.
3) A dial up line would not give you very good performance but it
might be all you need (this depends on many factors). Again, two
routers are required.
In all cases you need routers. They route packets from the Local Area
Network to the telephone system (dedicated line, Internet, or dialup).
> hook up the hardware portion again i dont kno if i;m to
> use a switch or a hub for the connection for the computers in the main
> branch, after all of this i would like to kno what is the pricing
> summary that i would have to charge.
I recommend a switch, they are not that more expensive than hubs and
performance is much better.
> Note: the person is my uncle and
> this is my first time doing a job of this proportion, as much as i
> would like him to get a real professional... money plays in all of our
> games :P.
Good luck!
Rick
Freight Train
Wow, this is a million dollar project. First off, ask the basic
questions. How many computers? Remember KISS, (Keep it simple Stupid).
Not to be offensive but many times the simple solution is the easiest.
Also, what is "Real Time"? 1 hour? 2?
Win2000 server will allow a computer to dial into it and use the built
in user authentication for security. Free local calls. Then access the
database and make the required changes. If you plan to transfer more
than a few kb of data at a time maybe it is time to call in a
consultant. At 56 kbps you can move a few MB in a reasonable amount of
time. If you need to move 100MB or more an hour call for help. Even
your Uncle is a Client. Too many IT industry "Pros" will not admit
they need to consult. Someone else new adds a new dimension and new
experience to the mix. VPN is great, but if money is an issue VPN is
not the solution. The less hardware involved the less work it is to
set it up and troubleshoot it later.
Jim
MCSE, MCP+I, MCP