Network setup(Hardware)

[daltonxj]

I am trying to figure the best way to setup my small network!

List of hardware:

HP Proliant DL360 Win2003 4gb with MSA 30 Storage Array 14 Scsi HDD's.

PentD Win2003 2gb 1TB Sata

4 WinXP Pro workstations (wired)

8 workstations WinXP Pro (Wireless)

Cable modem (internet access point)

4 port router (non wireless)

4 port netgear router (wireless)

Dell 24 port +2 port GB

Ok now for the question?

Whats the best way to setup this hardware?
will be running Domain controllers/DNS, Webserver, FTP, SMTP, ect. ect.

will also have local data storage for each workstation.. users ect...

will need internet for all workstations and servers...

*******Will be adding more workstations and servers in the future.*****

 

[cajuntank]

Start budgeting for new hardware. That being said, you can use what you have but realize that those 4port routers (wired and wireless) weren't meant to go into networks with more than 1-5 computers. Also, you are vague on some of your apps...you say your going to want to use it as a webserver, what are you going to be serving? SMTP...Are you thinking Exchange? etc...
You don't have no where near enough of a box to run more than 2 roles, and that's pushing it.
You can run the PentiumD machine as a AD DC/DNS server, but with 2GB, it won't be anything else.
The HP DL360 with attached storage will be your file server and you could make it the web and ftp server, but trying to run it as a email system I think would push it too far. Add some RAM to it and maybe you could get by with some 3rd party Windows based mail system (probably not Exchange).
Then theres the issue of having only one AD DC/DNS. If that box goes down, your network is down.

My suggestion is to budget for a firewall appliance that has built in wireless. Something like a Sonicwall TZ200 Wireless Series. This would replace your 4 port SOHO routers plus give you threat management with IPS, Gateway Antivirus, Content Filtering, etc... 1Gb Switch (little money for big performance increase as it sounds like your existing switch might be a 100Mb switch with 1Gb uplink ports).

Beyond that of course you will be hit with the decision of servers. With as small as you are, you might really need to look at cloud based services as web, ftp, file, email, etc... can all be done via the cloud. If you stick with handling it internally, get into a virtualization technology like Hyper-V so you can run multiple servers on fewer physical boxes. The Hyper-V in Windows 8 server coming out next year will have some major benefits to small offices that need redundancy but can't afford to purchase SANs.

Hope that helps with your process.