Server setup.

Pitbull

Pitbull

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Hi Guys

I have a quick question.

This is for the server dudes out there. How difficult is it to setup a small office server for lets say 15 people and maintaining it ?
 
Relative question based on how experienced you are on the platform you wish to use.

It's not difficult to do at all, once you find your way around.
 
depends what you need the server to do?
mapped network drives for each user to store documents on can be set up on an XP box in 10 minutes...
 
xcleric42 said:
depends what you need the server to do?
mapped network drives for each user to store documents on can be set up on an XP box in 10 minutes...
Click to expand...

Basically this is what I need.

15 users connected to a network via a Server/Desktop box. 15 different profiles 1 per user. a Internet connection and of course it should be receiving e-mails and deliver them to the correct profile. Would a normal Network work via a desktop serving as a server ?
 
This is what you need:
http://www.smeserver.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=35

Download the iso, burn to disk and install on a machine with the following:

P4
256Mb Ram
2 x 250Gb IDE drives
intel m-board
two lan cards.

The setup is super simple. You'll have a redundant file server, internet gateway, firewall, email server and web hosting platform (should you want it), all in one.

Check out the forum at www.contribs.org for howtos and info.

Oh, it's all open source and 100% free. Unlimited users.
 
frenchi6625 said:
do you have any idea what SBS costs, with 15 user access licenses? see my post above for a real solution.
Click to expand...

Cost is not necessarily the only criterion or even the most important.

I would also suggest SBS. It will do the job, but I suggest on getting a knowledgeable person to do the initial setup.

Please do not underestimate the requirement for proper backup and disaster recovery - these areas are often glossed over.

Also put two network cards in the server and use RAS or ISA to firewall the LAN.
 
bekdik said:
Cost is not necessarily the only criterion or even the most important.

I would also suggest SBS. It will do the job, but I suggest on getting a knowledgeable person to do the initial setup.

Please do not underestimate the requirement for proper backup and disaster recovery - these areas are often glossed over.

Also put two network cards in the server and use RAS or ISA to firewall the LAN.
Click to expand...

I know of several SME installations that have been running for a number of years, it's simple enough to get your head around if you have some basic networking knowledge, and best of all, if you do it yourself you can support it yourself.

SBS is particularly painful to support, ESPECIALLY if someone else set it up. ISA is rubbish, not to mention Exchange. And cost most definately IS a big deal - if it isn't, what are you doing setting up a server for your office, go play golf in Barbados you overachiever you. I'd rather spend that cash on decent desktop OS's for your users, or to upgrade hardware.

EDIT: A note on redundancy. SME supports software RAID up to RAID5, as well as a range of hardware RAID controllers. Pitbull, that means that you have two or more drives in your server, containing all your email and data etc, if one breaks, you simply swap it out for a new one. It really is that simple.

'Nother EDIT: Did I mention remote access and VPN support?
 
Last edited:
i would rather pay and get a well known product with formal support structures and a good record than go for a custom solution. i can build all that into a box myself using free software. but for setup and go systems SBS is the best.
 
Tsimo said:
i would rather pay and get a well known product with formal support structures and a good record than go for a custom solution. i can build all that into a box myself using free software. but for setup and go systems SBS is the best.
Click to expand...

i disagree. more of a setup and fall flat on your face system if you ask me. besides, bill has enough money.
 
frenchi6625 said:
I know of several SME installations that have been running for a number of years, it's simple enough to get your head around if you have some basic networking knowledge, and best of all, if you do it yourself you can support it yourself.

SBS is particularly painful to support, ESPECIALLY if someone else set it up. ISA is rubbish, not to mention Exchange. And cost most definately IS a big deal - if it isn't, what are you doing setting up a server for your office, go play golf in Barbados you overachiever you. I'd rather spend that cash on decent desktop OS's for your users, or to upgrade hardware.

EDIT: A note on redundancy. SME supports software RAID up to RAID5, as well as a range of hardware RAID controllers. Pitbull, that means that you have two or more drives in your server, containing all your email and data etc, if one breaks, you simply swap it out for a new one. It really is that simple.

'Nother EDIT: Did I mention remote access and VPN support?
Click to expand...

I like your ideas.

I found a Fundy willing to help me. I doubt that i'll pay 12K for the Windows server option. Might just go open source. Thanx for the input guys !
 
so what you are actually saying is that you have no reasonable objections to MS software. you just dont like bill gates?
 
Ok... 1 Problem.

No Linux experience. Can it really be that difficult ? I'll play around with it for fun and see what happens
 
just rememer to do a dry run before going into production on a platform you're not used to. feel free to pm frenchi6625 once his ban is lifted. lol.

@ Tsimo: No i have plenty of objections to MS software, although I do still think that XP is the king of the desktops. they are too expensive, simple as that. and bill IS a nitwit, you can't argue. so is alanf.
 
Pitbull said:
Ok... 1 Problem.

No Linux experience. Can it really be that difficult ? I'll play around with it for fun and see what happens
Click to expand...

you really don't need any linux experience for SME. the install procedure is like the old dos installs, and the entire system is administered from a web interface.
 
riggs_9mmp said:
you really don't need any linux experience for SME. the install procedure is like the old dos installs, and the entire system is administered from a web interface.
Click to expand...

sweet, i'm downloading this now :)
barring driver issues during installation it should be really easy to setup
 
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