Designing the Perfect network

[Sl33py]

Hi
I have a customer with about 10 PC and 5 laptops and 3 network printers. I would like to design the “perfect” network for them, regarding backup, mail, power protection, security and so on. Cost will also be a factor; I am not to clued up on Linux but have played with Clark Connect and Untangle. I would like to cover all the bases or as much as possible to set up a network that will benefit the customer and make it easy to maintain. If we can cover the Desktop and Server side please.
1. Backup?
2. Antivirus?
3. Proxy/Firewall/ internet usage?
4.Mailserver ?
5. Access to their folders on the network from home?
6. Fileserver?

Please let me know what you use and where I can get more info on it, every bit helps,
I think this will also benefit us if we get new client with existing networks and to have some sort of check list of what is needed on a network.

Secondly they want me to give them a proposal on a maintenance contract so I want to sort the network out to be as little as possible admin and then do the contract. Any ideas on how to structure a contract like that?
Thanks

 

[Conradl]

Not asking too much now eh

For the network/server/clients look at Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS). I know that there are many free products available; but SBS is suited for small business and includes Mail, ISA (internet and remote access), SQL (depending on the version), File sharing, authentication - basically all that you require. Linux is fine if you know what you doing, and if you can support it. SBS is nice because its a single product, with a single point of support. SBS also has a very strong support base.

For backups you can use MS backup, for small networks its fine. You can also look at Symantec Backup Exec. I would recommend that you backup to tape; small businesses sometimes try to use removable hard drives to save costs but it is not ideal in the long run.

For AV, most products that are free, are only free for non-commercial use. So you will need to pay for this. Make sure that you buy something that is designed for networks and can be managed from the server. I rate Kaspersky very highly, you should take a look at it. Also remember that some AV packages, e.g. Trend, allow you to use a single license on three devices.

For remote access, consider a hardwareVPN, or use SBS for either RDP/VPN. A Cisco ASA allows 10 connections and is about R7000. Not sure what the budget is.

Does the company have desktops? If not I would recommend a tier one vendor, Dell/HP etc with 3 year warranties. If something packs up, the vendor will fix it which saves you time.

Summary:

1. Backup? MS Backup/Symantec Backup Exec
2. Antivirus? Kaspersky
3. Proxy/Firewall/ internet usage? MS SBS
4.Mailserver ? MS SBS
5. Access to their folders on the network from home? MS SBS/Cisco ASA VPN
6. Fileserver? MS SBS

For a maintenance contract you need to consider a few things:

SLA
1. Response times. How long do you have to come out and fix something.
2. Time to resolution. How long do you have to actually fix the problem once you come out.
3. Agree on a set amount of hours and rate required to maintain the site. Also agree on a rate for additional time, callouts and additional work, i.e. non maintenance (they want to move office for example). Desktop support rule of thumb is 1 full time support person for every 300-350 users. You can pro-rata this figure based on the number of users to get to a hours/month rate.
4. Scope and responsibility. Very important! For example state in the SLA that you are responsible for installing AV, but the staff is responsible for ensuring that it updates, and that they take precautions when opening emails etc. It will save you hassles when if a Virus hits and they try to hold you responsible....

Also outline things such as payment terms, call out procedure, time sheets, call/problem logging etc. It helps to have a structure in place from the beginning, so that both you and the customer get used to it from the beginning. Changing the way users log a call with after 6 months is going to be a challenge.

Ask if you need anything else....

 

[Sl33py]

Hi
Thanks, are there anything else I should consider?

 

[Conradl]

Yes, quite a lot. It would be easier though if you asked specific questions. Otherwise I'm going to write a book here

 

[gregmcc]

Thats a large project your busy with, with lots of things to consider before you can even think about putting forward a proposal for them:

What are they using for internet connectivity? Diginet/DSL? For 15 clients you might want to look at WSUS for patching. A proxy is a highly recommended solution. Firstly to do content filtering for them and to track down who is doing all the large/dodgy downloads.

DO you use any client servers applications? How kind of data transfers will they require? Are they working with massive files or just general Office based documents.

Do they require remote access? How confidential is their data? The higher the value on their data the more you would want to look at putting a decent firewall in place especially if you are going to allow incoming connections - do they have a internet facing web server? Be carefully with VPN's and who you allow to connect. A untrusted home machine infected with a worm could wipe out your network when using a VPN connection. You could also look at using a terminal server - but each situation will need to be considered. Again how large are the files? Are they confidential?


For the backup software - how much data is going to be backed up? This is one of the most important areas - without a decent backup strategy (thats gets regularly tested), companies can literally go under of they loose all their data.

For servers - how many do they require? I'd standardize on a brand - HP/Dell etc.With onsite swop out warranty it makes things a lot easier.

For mail I'd go with Exchange where you can backup the mailboxes. If you use Outlook Express then you don't have calendering and when users desktops die you run the risk of them losing their data.

As with most things cost is always a factor, but if you try and go to cheap you end up spending more time trying to troubleshoot and get it working and end up with a crappy solution.


If your not clued up on Linux I would stick with Windows. Support will be a lot easier especially if you are going to be offering them a SLA.

 

[Sl33py]

What are they using for internet connectivity? Diginet/DSL?

The are using ADSL Line 512

For 15 clients you might want to look at WSUS for patching

. I will reasearch this looks good

A proxy is a highly recommended solution. Firstly to do content filtering for them and to track down who is doing all the large/dodgy downloads.

What is the best to use? MS SBS?

DO you use any client servers applications? How kind of data transfers will they require? Are they working with massive files or just general Office based documents.

Most is just office based and 3 people use Pastel all their files are stored on a normal PC that everybody access

Do they require remote access? How confidential is their data?

They work on building sites so I think it will help them If they could access their files or is it better to usesoffline files?

For the backup software - how much data is going to be backed up? This is one of the most important areas - without a decent backup strategy (thats gets regularly tested), companies can literally go under of they loose all their data.

I think it is about 50GB, do i use tapeor extra hard drives, Raid?

For servers - how many do they require?

If I can get away with one that will help.What are desent specs to run MS SMS? Do you have to buy a server or can you build up a high spec PC?

Yes, quite a lot. It would be easier though if you asked specific questions. Otherwise I'm going to write a book here

Conradl thanks for your input it is things like the Microsoft Windows Server Update Services that I did not know about that is the kinf of info I am looking for. Thanks for you SLA input it was a great help

 

[Conradl]

The are using ADSL Line 512

. I will reasearch this looks good

What is the best to use? MS SBS?

Yes, SBS is good for everything, Mail, SQL etc, and also Web Filtering.

Most is just office based and 3 people use Pastel all their files are stored on a normal PC that everybody access

They work on building sites so I think it will help them If they could access their files or is it better to usesoffline files?

Again look at Terminal Services, also on MS SBS. It is good for remote access. For additional security, and enhancements, look at Citrix Access Essentials for a more complete solution on top of the MS TS.

I think it is about 50GB, do i use tapeor extra hard drives, Raid?

Use RAID on the storage/server, and tape for the backups. A lot of people use External HDD, but I would recommend tapes, and off-site storage.

If I can get away with one that will help.What are desent specs to run MS SMS? Do you have to buy a server or can you build up a high spec PC?

Try to avoid buying a high spec'd PC as a server. HP makes some really affordable server's (between as little as 7k to 15k+). A highly spec'd PC (Quad Core etc), could be the same price as an entry level HP server. The difference is that a dual with 2-4 GB RAM will be sufficient; and the added build quality, and warranty of the HP would be very usefull - and money better spent.

Conradl thanks for your input it is things like the Microsoft Windows Server Update Services that I did not know about that is the kinf of info I am looking for. Thanks for you SLA input it was a great help

[/QUOTE]

Your welcome! SBS includes the software to do updates....