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[Jay w]

ok, i need some advice if possible, BUT would it be possible to keep this so a muppet like me can understand.....

I have the following in my house

2 macs (intel versions)
5 XP machines (SP3)
2 virtual machines (XP SP3)
1 Linux machine
2 blackberrys
2 printers
2 external hard drives
2 Towers (unused)


If, and it is a small if currently, i expand the business in the preferred direction i really want all of these machines on a server based network, this is due to the amount of info and amunt of file sharing that will be going on, in addition i will want to host my own email and have exchange and BES on the server as well.....

Right heres the Q.....
I have a couple of towers that are unused, one of them was never finished as a build by my son, what would it take to get one of them running as a server for my business.....

and.......i also want the vast majority of it to be wireless as well...

please keep it simple

[cem_devecioglu]

if I understand correct you want to make a file server..

for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,

fast  * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast

hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the

configuration

And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..

and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..

[Jay w]

if I understand correct you want to make a file server..

for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,

fast  * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast

hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the

configuration

And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..

and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..

i think that is what i want!!!

Basically i want the server as a central storage system for office documents that i create and use on a daily basis.

But also i want the MS Exchange and BES facility, would what you have described be able to do that?

[cem_devecioglu]

and cant predict the kind of job you will be running..

if some regular time stamped info will be kept you can use database sofware also..

[Jay w]

most of the files i have are MS word, excel and powerpoint, on average a couple of Mb each.....

Email is general small traffic, again there are files that are attachments but nothing massive ie. greater than 5Mb

Time stamping would not be essential as there are only 3 people who access the network and i know all of them.....

What i am trying to do is make sure that this system will last me for a few years, any IT outlay represents a large spend and the hassle of changing/relearning is such that if i can make this as smooth as possible it will make my life a lot easier.....and keep my wife off my back

[cem_devecioglu]

I think one server is capable of the jobs you want..

and you can use your external disks to back up regularly..

and a critical note, dont backup to the same media or disk everyday

in case of failure if you dont notice you will erase the good backups..

a better approach can be date based although a bit complicated..

so you can turn back to any date you want..

[Jay w]

if I understand correct you want to make a file server..

for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,

fast  * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast

hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the

configuration

And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..

and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..

Ok so far so good, now to add soe complication.....

i have a couple of old tower units, they both have CD Roms in them, both P4 processors and have HDD's.....

Could i use any of these as the basis for the server?

I have what i call a standard router currently, looks like one of these
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_CASupport_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1166859938305&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=3830541396B05
will that do or will i have to upgrade?

You mention hubs, what i would like to do is have the peripherals running direct from the server via ethernet or usb if possible, can this be done

[cem_devecioglu]

if I understand correct you want to make a file server..

for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,

fast  * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast

hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the

configuration

And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..

and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..

Ok so far so good, now to add soe complication.....

i have a couple of old tower units, they both have CD Roms in them, both P4 processors and have HDD's.....

Could i use any of these as the basis for the server?

I have what i call a standard router currently, looks like one of these
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_CASupport_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1166859938305&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=3830541396B05
will that do or will i have to upgrade?

You mention hubs, what i would like to do is have the peripherals running direct from the server via ethernet or usb if possible, can this be done

yep..you can use them..

one possibility is : one as a file server and another as a print server..  or if you want to connect the printers directly to the ethernet it depends on the the model but there are usb  ethernet converters ..however still you will need one pc as print spooling mechanism which is still a print server..

for the print server you must bring down the firewalls if its xp or use old windows server versions etc..

net now is really slow cant see your link  :-/

a good quality firewalled router will be essential for you..

and todays routers have many ethernet ports built in..so a seperate hub wont be necessary depending on physical conditions of course..

[cem_devecioglu]

now see the router..thats an average one..not sure have enough ports.. you may need to use a seperate hub..

[Martin_1962]

Just for storing files on an old PC is fine.

We had sites running database servers perfectly well on 486s

[Ian_D]

if I understand correct you want to make a file server..

for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,

fast  * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast

hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the

configuration

And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..

and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..

Seems very OTT to me!

Having said that god knows why I have a server on 24/7 and another 3 servers sat collecting dust 90% of the time! (not exactly small things either! )

[JueV6]

I ran a server which hosted files / a forum and a rt chat room

HP Netserver dual 800 MHz cpu's 1gb of 133ecc ram and 6 x 36gb scsi drives

running through a netgear router.

[tunnie]

Have you already got licenses for BES? Seam to recall you have to buy one for each blackberry or you can by a pack, or site license.

Other route is the networkable portable hard drives on the market now, you just plug in power and a RJ45 cable and its there as a network drive.
It would prove cheap & easy to expand when needed

[cem_devecioglu]

if I understand correct you want to make a file server..

for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,

fast  * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast

hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the

configuration

And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..

and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..

Seems very OTT to me!

Having said that god knows why I have a server on 24/7 and another 3 servers sat collecting dust 90% of the time! (not exactly small things either! )

Actually as a old IT staff there were days where 60-70% CPU utilizaton

was accepted as waste of money..But nowadays things are very

different.. And actually even a good file server can go down on the

kness  if you decide to keep high quality images, music and video

files..

[cem_devecioglu]

I ran a server which hosted files / a forum and a rt chat room

HP Netserver dual 800 MHz cpu's 1gb of 133ecc ram and 6 x 36gb scsi drives
running through a netgear router.

multiple disk SCSI systems highly effect the performance ..