Setting up client/server etc etc 2

[nickjar2]

If I am on the wrong forum then i'm sorry.

I need to set up a small network with about 7 pc's and 3 Macs. We need Win 2000 server with a printer available to all pc's/Macs.

We r starting from scratch so will need the hub/cable etc.

What is the best way to do this?

Also, we need an asdl link so staff from a remote site (ie home) can quickly work form the network.

I assume a cable comes from the server to the hub, and then the network connectors will hook up to the pc's/macs.
Excuse me if i sound like i am a newbie, but i am a programmer, not a network guru.

Cheers 4 any help anyone can give me. Nick (Everton Rool OK!)

 

[MrTom]

yes, the first thing you'll need is a hub or a switch to connect all those machines together. switches are better and you can get cheap ones if you shop around - brand *doesn't* matter. there will then be a cable for each machine and they will all plug into the switch.

http://www.dslwebserver.com/images/diagrams/network-standard-network.gif

i think the best thing for you to do is work out how to build a network first then work out how to build the file/print server and then how to connect it all to the 'net. if you are definately going to spend money on this stuff then go buy a switch and network cards and have a play - you'll be an expert in no time

if you are in the UK i can suggest some places to buy cheap switches. the networking kit will cost you around £100 to cater for all those machines.

there are probably better forums on this site to help you, have a look at the other categories.

tom (just beat Arsenal!)

 

[nickjar2]

Alrighty Tom,

It seems like u could be a Manu fan ( Never mind hey?

Cheers 4 responding. The last time I did any cable installation was a few years back when all we did was hook each pc to each other (peer to peer i think), rather than use a server.

Can u suggest any sites that will explain how to do everything from start to finish? I will look at the

http://www.dslwebserver.com/

site and hopefully get a few pointers.

Yep, I live in the UK (Midlands) and a Self Emp VBA Prog. What's the money like for setting up Client/server networks?

I have been offered £250 for doing the cable installation (which I thought was a bit poor, but as I have a day job, I won't complain over a little pocket money).

Oh, and by the way, I would luv it if we could go to the Arsenal and win, but we don't stand a chance (unless they get at least a point against u lot, and field their reserve side, we may get a point then)

Thnx again. Nick (Everton Rool OK!)

 

[schase]

Hi Nick,

Couple methods to accomplish what you'd like. Basically it will depend on what you need/want/have for existing software - and even then you have some "slack" to move with.

Ok, heres the setup I have in the process of completing setup.

Internet access in - I have fractional T1, but if your area can get a sweet dsl (synchronious) you can usually get it cheaper. That goes to your router - and the router can/usually does have some slots to plug RJ-45's into - I have a netopia, not too bad, but there are better - and worse. The Netopia has 8 slots in the back. But I do not use any but 1.

So - internet into Router. Router to Server - 2nd Nic in server going to a hub (I have a dell 24 port hub) and from that out to workstations/clients.

Not only do I have an intranet - but I also host about 7 websites on the server. Plus Email. I needed a microsoft based system because we use mostly ASP technology in our websites.

So for me, the Small Business Server was the answer. It will go up to 50 users. It has included in the package - IIS 5.0, ISA, DNS, Front Page Extensions, There is an exchange package - but I'd recommend Merak - make that HIGHLY recommend Merak. It also has DHCP, Does the ASP Scripting, SQL Server, etc etc etc.

I also went with Norton Corporate edition for anti-virus with 10 clients to begin with (and where I host email - I've found at LEAST 45 virus's in the past week alone).

Having stated all the bells and whistles that SBS has - it is a complex software to learn. So complex that Microsoft even allows 2 free tech support tickets.

If I had to do it again, I would go with Unix, and Apache, along with Merak for email. Apache is free, and theres a ton of modules to make about anything work - even ASP - BUT not all asp will work on it - and forget front page extensions. But it is stable as all can be.

However, SBS allows for some very cool administrative tasks. You can "Push" updates or install some software remotely onto client computers without having to be infront of it. - as long as it's a windows 2000 or xp. And You can naturally set up networked printers. But each printer, workstation, etc use a client license.

If you did go the SBS route, I would highly recommend you find someone who knows it inside and out - and have them completely format the harddrives. And walk you through from bottom to top on how to set it up - this is unless you can afford the time and money to attend a windows server class. I know my way around windows 95, 98, me really good - but 2000 server along with IIS, ISA, etc? it's alot.

If you have not gotten a server - I have had nothing but great experiences with Dell so far. We got the Dell Poweredge 2500, 3 SCSI Raid-5 configuration 18.2gig harddrives - hot swappable, a gig of ram, dual power supplies, redundant fans - 2 1.13gh Pentium III's. SCSI Tape Backup, and a good UPS.

Had windows crash on me once - Dell's support was fantastic - but I also got the software support.
"Insert witty remark here"

Stuart

 

[nickjar2]

Cheers Stuart,

We are looking at Dell servers with RAID. I will recomend what u have said, as it seems ideal for our needs.
A bit worried though, cause u mention getting an expert. We were gonna do it ourselves and learn as we went.

Know any good sites that will demonstrate the best way to do all the cabling etc etc. Also, we would want a firewall, and the internet to be seperate from the network (for obvious reasons)

Thnx again,

Nick Nick (Everton Rool OK!)

 

[schase]

Get the casters with the poweredge 2500 too.

Check out

http://www.microsoft.com/partner/businessresources/salesresources/actionpack/

it really is a very good deal - as long as you will qualify for it.

I went the learn as I go route - and i'm still paying the price for it. It's worth the couple hundred it might cost to learn how to do it.

As for firewall, go the hardware/software route. my Netopia has the ability to close down ports. And with SBS comes the Microsofts software firewall.

The cabling really is the easy part.

RJ-45 from wherever your keeping the sever to whatever room your client is - do a nice little jack in the wall and yoru set. I can get you the color sequence when I get back to work. "Insert witty remark here"

Stuart

 

[nickjar2]

Cheers again,

I thought i gave u a star last night, but obviously i forgot. Here's one for being a star!!!

Thnx,

Nick Nick (Everton Rool OK!)

 

[nickjar2]

Another quickie,

U say "RJ-45 from wherever your keeping the sever to whatever room your client is - do a nice little jack in the wall and yoru set"

What is an RJ-45? Some sort of hub/router (excuse my ignorance). I will need about 5 pc's and 3 macs. I read that there is some piece of kit that u insert into your pc to make it compatible with a mac!!

Anyway, all this networking/client/server seems pretty interesting. I am looking forward to it ) Nick (Everton Rool OK!)

 

[schase]

Hey Nick,

and Thaks for the star.

RJ-45 is the Ethernet cable itself. Basically like a telephone wire - but larger.

For wiring the RJ-45 plug ends. If you have it so your looking at the end of the plug (where the copper is) with the tab up, From left to right is as follows.

White/Orange
Orange
White/Green
Blue
White/Blue
Green
White/Brown
Brown

I run this type of sequence.

Internet in -> Router -> Server's 1st Nic.
Servers 2nd Nic -> Hub, Hub -> Client Workstations.

One thing to keep in mind though - ethernet cable is not cheap by any means. My company spent over $10,000 US to wire this building - about 26 offices, some fairly stretched out. That also included some other wiring, but I would not be surprised if the network itself ran about $7,000

"Insert witty remark here"

Stuart

 

[MrTom]

oh the cheap place i mentioned for switches can be found at

<advert >

http://www.scan.co.uk

< /advert>

compare prices with other places tho.

you'll need something like a 16 port 10/100 switch which is quite expensive but darn good. if you wanted you could get the very cheap 16port hubs they sell but this may not be good enough. the cables are very cheap as well and are good quality.