I know it's way overkill at present, but Dell is having a really good sale on select servers. If you choose the right base server, you can get up to 35% off. I'm looking at a Poweredge 840 with a dual-core Xeon processer, 2GB ram, 4 160GB hot-swap hard drives on RAID 5 (but I think RAID 10 is better from what I've read so far), MS Small Business Server 2003 R2 and a 3 yr hardware/software warranty for $1700. Haven't pulled the trigger or anything, but really tempted.
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Servers for Dummies
- Thread starter ChiknNutz
- Start date
'nother question...is it better to use a switch or a router? I'd need 5 or 6 ports to connect everything I'm planning on at the moment (2 or 3 workstations, server, desktop printer, wide format printer). And what about a firewall, does it reside on the server (if done that way) or each system?
paul luszcz
New Member
Warning Warning Warning
Microsoft Small Business Server is a truly horrible piece of software. It puts so much control and so many authentications and permissions into your network that you can never get anything changed without professional help. And even that is hard to come by.
Stick with any of the previously mentioned solutions.
SBS is so bad, it's not even possible to disable it.
Microsoft Small Business Server is a truly horrible piece of software. It puts so much control and so many authentications and permissions into your network that you can never get anything changed without professional help. And even that is hard to come by.
Stick with any of the previously mentioned solutions.
SBS is so bad, it's not even possible to disable it.
mbarden
New Member
Hey Chris,
Switches and routers acutally serve to different porposes. Routers are generally used for "Routing" internet signal and traffic to or from public and private networks. Al lot of routers have switches built into them. Switches themselves come in several different config but generally are either "Managed" or "Un Mamaged". I generally use the router that is supplied by my ISP. I them attach a firewall device (That may or may not be a router as well) and then I will put an un managed switch to join all the PC's and servers.
I do not place the firewall on the server as it places the level of protection at the level you are trying to protect. To close for my comfort.
On a side note, what Oracal product are you using for your general purpose printing. I have been using Rolands material but am figuring out that it is quite expensive.
Thanks
Mike B
Big River Sign Co.
Switches and routers acutally serve to different porposes. Routers are generally used for "Routing" internet signal and traffic to or from public and private networks. Al lot of routers have switches built into them. Switches themselves come in several different config but generally are either "Managed" or "Un Mamaged". I generally use the router that is supplied by my ISP. I them attach a firewall device (That may or may not be a router as well) and then I will put an un managed switch to join all the PC's and servers.
I do not place the firewall on the server as it places the level of protection at the level you are trying to protect. To close for my comfort.
On a side note, what Oracal product are you using for your general purpose printing. I have been using Rolands material but am figuring out that it is quite expensive.
Thanks
Mike B
Big River Sign Co.
Thanks Mike. I use OraJet 3165 for the bulk of my printing. I like the 3165 better than 3651 as it's a bit thicker, which makes handling a bit easier (not quite so floppy) and is better for small RTA-type decals, plus is better for full-bleed contour-cuts as the edges don't lift nearly as much as with 3651. It carries the same longevity of 5-yrs. I also have used OraJet 3551RA (and keep this on-hand now) and 3M ControlTac. The 3551RA is a great product for all-around use including rivets and mild vehicle wraps.
jiarby
New Member
SBS (Microsoft Small Business Server) is a GREAT product! It just may not be appropriate for a Mom & Pop shop....
It combines several Enterprise level products that normally require separate physical servers and separate licensing into one bundle for small businesses...
SQL server (databases)
Exchange server (E-Mail)
Web/Proxy Server
Sharepoint Server (document sharing & collaboration)
Project
Domain controller (manage user accounts & file permissions)
Remote Access
The alternative for a small business (10-25 users) costs ALOT more money so SBS was built to bundle common IT services into one box instead of 5-6 separate servers.
It is not a good choice for a 3-5 user business... that's TOO small. It is great for real estate/inurance offices, large churches, small charter schools, growing manufacturing businesses (2-10m/yr)...
If you are doing 25k/mo then you are still too small to need that kind of equipment. When you get 10+computer using employees and are doing >100k THEN you can begin to benefit from centralized account management... group policies/permissions....online document sharing portals...collaborative project management, etc...
Just because SBS is not right for YOU doesn't mean that it is a bad product. It was just a bad choice!
It combines several Enterprise level products that normally require separate physical servers and separate licensing into one bundle for small businesses...
SQL server (databases)
Exchange server (E-Mail)
Web/Proxy Server
Sharepoint Server (document sharing & collaboration)
Project
Domain controller (manage user accounts & file permissions)
Remote Access
The alternative for a small business (10-25 users) costs ALOT more money so SBS was built to bundle common IT services into one box instead of 5-6 separate servers.
It is not a good choice for a 3-5 user business... that's TOO small. It is great for real estate/inurance offices, large churches, small charter schools, growing manufacturing businesses (2-10m/yr)...
If you are doing 25k/mo then you are still too small to need that kind of equipment. When you get 10+computer using employees and are doing >100k THEN you can begin to benefit from centralized account management... group policies/permissions....online document sharing portals...collaborative project management, etc...
Just because SBS is not right for YOU doesn't mean that it is a bad product. It was just a bad choice!
Just saw that there is a Windows Home Server program....has pretty good reviews. Based on what it does, looks like this would be a good fit.
On a side note, looks like there is a lot of folks running Linux for servers for a whole host of reasons, security and speed being the top reasons it looks like (and FREE too). However, I know nothing about Linux, though I was pretty fair when DOS was used a lot...and I see Linux at it's core is similar to DOS. Anyone here good with Linux?
On a side note, looks like there is a lot of folks running Linux for servers for a whole host of reasons, security and speed being the top reasons it looks like (and FREE too). However, I know nothing about Linux, though I was pretty fair when DOS was used a lot...and I see Linux at it's core is similar to DOS. Anyone here good with Linux?
3dsignco
New Member
This is the system we just installed a few months ago Works great. It has Hot swap and RAID so we just run a Mirrored RAID. then I'll just do a hot swap with a third drive and keep that weeks backup till the following week.
https://www.mwave.com/mwave/Skusearch.hmx?
https://www.mwave.com/mwave/Skusearch.hmx?