Starting new network from scratch - help

[asuasol]

Hello to all techies,
I've been asked to wire, set-up, and configure a small office of 3-5 users. I'm considering a single Dell server but I don't know anything about this. Server size, number of drives, partitions, Raid or no Raid, data back up...

The server would be used for file, print, e-mail, and Internet access. Any advise would be appreciated. I'll submit a separate question about Telephony...
Thanks!

 

[markdmac]

Asuasol,

What is your background? Are you an IT Professional? Trying to figure out why you have been asked to do this if you know nothing about the subject.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

 

[LawnBoy]

First you need to decide what software you need to run. Do you really need your own email server just for 3-5 users? It'd be a whole lot cheaper and easier to just buy some mailboxes from your ISP for $2/month...

OK so file, print, and internet sharing for 5. This can be done with XP Pro on a desktop box, depending on your requirements for routing, firewalling, and internet useage tracking.

Figure out exactly what you need to accomplish, then try to fit a hardware solution to it.

 

[TweakMYbox]

Does this company plan to grow? You might look into Small Business Server. If not, then I would recommend having e-mail hosted.

Mike

http://tweekmybox.com

 

[jkupski]

I second Small Business Server, even if there is no major growth planned. The pricing is attractive at five seats (I think it's actually cheaper than buying vanilla Win2k3 Server) and the capability will be there to do whatever your small business needs in the future.

Hardware should be determined by your actual requirements and budget. "3-5 users with file, print, fax, and email" is not enough information.