Setting up small business network

[SatnamR]

Hello, I'm currently involved in the process of setting up a small business network for a charity based organisation (Local Community Centre). This means budgets are pretty tight. At the moment they got some network that's botched up. There is 16 computers involved and around 24 members of staff. I was looking at a Microsoft server based solution but the licensing prices are to high.

Whats the best solution recommended? The main tasks are just staff to come log in and save project work on thier own dedicated space and having a shared drive aswell.

I've had all sorts of recommendations from having a full windows based server set up, to having a linux server or just using a NAS with protected folders per member of staff.

 

[Jim2k]

If you are looking to keep costs down then avoid a full Windows server. I guess the question is what are the requirements re security etc? If you were not bother too much by security then a NAS with NTFS controlled permissions would be the cheapest way to do it. Make sure you consider a suitable backup solution as well.

 

[KM-Tiger]

Depends on the exact requirements and any future plans.

We maintain Linux servers for a number of charities. They have made that decision for two principal reasons:

• They know there will be no licence fees now or ever.
• They know they can add things in the future, again with no licence fees.

Not zero cost, IT never is, but best value in the long term.

 

[Jeff Knows]

Depends. Do you need roaming profiles or just segmented storage for the staff?

As suggested a NAS is the cheapest route. The staff wouldn't be able to login to profiles on the computers but most decent NAS' have the capability to segment and protect the storage so you'd have them log in to that to deal with their files. Might be a bit more difficult to get them used to this kind of system and may cause trouble more often than the alternative..

For example configurations between computers will change, possibly often and you won't have the capability to just re-image all the systems in one go from a vanilla OS file on the server. No server means no exchange and a more complicated setup for peoples emails.

It comes down to one thing. If most people are using the same computer most of the time and there is little to no overlap of users, then a NAS is fine. If people are moving between systems or they have 2,3,4 users per system... you are going to need a server.

 

[smo]

Dont charities get free or highly subsides microsoft software??

EDIT: Yes....http://www.itforcharities.co.uk/microsof.htm

 

[Jim2k]

Dont charities get free or highly subsides microsoft software??

EDIT: Yes....http://www.itforcharities.co.uk/microsof.htm

I'm a big fan of CTXchange.org for charitable software, can save you thousands.

I still think if cost is the key factor then a simple nas doing file storage and control is the way to go. If they have someone who can support them then linux may be a goer aswell.

 

[SatnamR]

Thanks for your feedback guys, I really appreciate it. I had a look in to netgear readynas and thinking about having secured directories but then the problem came in with multiple users on each computer and it could be difficult changing user behaviour.
The community centre doesn’t have any current plans of expanding the IT systems. Depends on funding after new tax year. But for now just want something more robust than the current system. Their operation and use of the computers really minimal. Just mainly office based work. No email or exchange server really required its all web based. I agree with Jeff it is looking more towards the server based solution.

I looked on CTXchange.org are the prices real or have I missed the small print somewhere

 

[Jim2k]

If you mean they look to cheap then all you are paying for is an administrative charge. You should be able to outfit every one with Windows 7 for the price of a single standard Windows 7 license.

 

[DesignerNick]

I used to work for a charity in IT and their licensing was DIRT cheap!

I would suggest looking into this

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

I'm a big fan of CTXchange.org for charitable software, can save you thousands.

I still think if cost is the key factor then a simple nas doing file storage and control is the way to go. If they have someone who can support them then linux may be a goer aswell.

I would certainly agree about using CTXchange, and yes the prices really are real.

However one small tip - CTX place restriction on the number of orders per year, so don't rush into it and waste your order! Make you make the best use of it!

Because of the discounts available to charities I would definitely recommend trying to implement a Microsoft solution as it tends to be easier for users to use as most are used to it.

If you find you need any advice getting an MS solution setup feel free to give me all.

 

[computer storm]

Hi I did some work for a charity in scotland and Microsoft supplied all the desktop OS and server OS at a very cheap price. If you contact Microsoft directly and quote your charity number they will check it out and then send you a price for what ever software you require.
You only have to prove to them that you are what you say you are.

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

Hi I did some work for a charity in scotland and Microsoft supplied all the desktop OS and server OS at a very cheap price. If you contact Microsoft directly and quote your charity number they will check it out and then send you a price for what ever software you require.
You only have to prove to them that you are what you say you are.

These prices aren't as cheap as CTX, but a lot cheaper than even OEM.

Any Microsoft partner which is an AER (Authorised Educational Reseller) can provide licensing to charities, you don't need to go directly to Microsoft to find out. Have a look at this list:

http://www.itforcharities.co.uk/microsof.htm

 

[computer storm]

These prices aren't as cheap as CTX, but a lot cheaper than even OEM.

Any Microsoft partner which is an AER (Authorised Educational Reseller) can provide licensing to charities, you don't need to go directly to Microsoft to find out. Have a look at this list:

http://www.itforcharities.co.uk/microsof.htm

I was just stating contacting Microsoft directly cuts out the middle man and would also save them money. I notice that you have small business specialist listed on your website but I can seem to find you on the Microsoft site with in 5 miles of your post code, have you only just passed and it not showing up yet.

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

Sorry, I wasn't saying you are wrong, I was just pointing out a few other options.

Thanks for pointing the SBS listing out, might be under our old post code even though our partner profile definitely has our new address. I will have a look into it today.

Was it FPP EDU or VL licenses you purchased from Microsoft?

 

[computer storm]

Sorry, I wasn't saying you are wrong, I was just pointing out a few other options.

Thanks for pointing the SBS listing out, might be under our old post code even though our partner profile definitely has our new address. I will have a look into it today.

Was it FPP EDU or VL licenses you purchased from Microsoft?

The company got VL as FPP only allows for 1-4 machines to be installed on. They also contacted Dell Direct and got discounted prices for Hardware as well. Saved them some money not sure how much they got the desktops and laptops.

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

Excellent. I wasn't aware MS actually sold VL themselves as it is fully channel based, they wouldn't even give me an recommended prices when I phoned a few years ago.

 

[Highland Park]

The main tasks are just staff to come log in and save project work on thier own dedicated space and having a shared drive aswell

How good is their Broadband connection? If the file volumes aren't too high then perhaps one shared Dropbox.com with as many private ones as you need might be an option?? Higher volume users could also use a personal USB stick.

One advantage (IMO) to this arrangement would be that they could access project work from home too.

Could also use an online forum

 

[SatnamR]

It definitely looking more towards a Microsoft Server based solution. CTX looks like a good option also going to try persuade the management to upgrade to W7. It will also make a good learning project for me. I've never really had experience setting up a full client - server network from scratch. My next step is what sort of hardware requirements and a break down of what i require. so far i've accounted for the cabeling, a switch. possible firewall. and a server

 

[computer storm]

It definitely looking more towards a Microsoft Server based solution. CTX looks like a good option also going to try persuade the management to upgrade to W7. It will also make a good learning project for me. I've never really had experience setting up a full client - server network from scratch. My next step is what sort of hardware requirements and a break down of what i require. so far i've accounted for the cabeling, a switch. possible firewall. and a server

Some things to consider when setting server client network up.

1) OS Type 32bit or 64bit SBS2008 is 64Bit
2) If setting up SBS2008 active directory and domain name. What structure will Active Directory store information i.e OU's.
3) RAM how much you will have in server and clients, Server woudl Recommend 4Gb or more.
4) Backup Software & Hardware, How often backups will be done and what type.
5) Redundancy i.e What raid type you will use for the server.
6) Transfer of user data from current OS to New OS if any.

There is more to decide but would take a bit longer to list, make sure you plan for everything and when you intend to do the upgrade.

 

[SatnamR]

Some things to consider when setting server client network up.

1) OS Type 32bit or 64bit SBS2008 is 64Bit
2) If setting up SBS2008 active directory and domain name. What structure will Active Directory store information i.e OU's.
3) RAM how much you will have in server and clients, Server woudl Recommend 4Gb or more.
4) Backup Software & Hardware, How often backups will be done and what type.
5) Redundancy i.e What raid type you will use for the server.
6) Transfer of user data from current OS to New OS if any.

There is more to decide but would take a bit longer to list, make sure you plan for everything and when you intend to do the upgrade.

Great! thats some grounds to start on. I'll research further in to this.

 

[Reality Check]

Have you considered using virtual desktops?

Basically you can continue to use any hardware you have on site, even if it's fairly old. You connect over the internet to a hosted service that provides:

Windows desktop
MS Office Professional 2010
Exchange 2010 mailbox
File storage
Custom applications (if required)
Daily backup
Anti-virus
24/7 support.

Your virtual desktop can be accessed from any internet connected device (mac, pc, Ipad, iPhone, android device etc), from office, home, clients office, holiday (if you really feel the need)

Fixed monthly costs per user, no upgrade charges, no maintenance fees, the service provider always upgrades to the latest version of software available.

MS Active Directory sits behind the system so that user security and file permissions can be maintained.

One of the advantages of using a system like this is that there are no upfront fees, no heavy capital expenditure etc. You can flex up and down with the number of users that you have without any penalty.