Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Jay w on 03 December 2008, 18:42:24
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ok, i need some advice if possible, BUT would it be possible to keep this so a muppet like me can understand.....
I have the following in my house
2 macs (intel versions)
5 XP machines (SP3)
2 virtual machines (XP SP3)
1 Linux machine
2 blackberrys
2 printers
2 external hard drives
2 Towers (unused)
If, and it is a small if currently, i expand the business in the preferred direction i really want all of these machines on a server based network, this is due to the amount of info and amunt of file sharing that will be going on, in addition i will want to host my own email and have exchange and BES on the server as well.....
Right heres the Q.....
I have a couple of towers that are unused, one of them was never finished as a build by my son, what would it take to get one of them running as a server for my business.....
and.......i also want the vast majority of it to be wireless as well...
please keep it simple ;)
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if I understand correct you want to make a file server..
for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,
fast * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast
hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the
configuration
And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..
and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..
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if I understand correct you want to make a file server..
for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,
fast * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast
hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the
configuration
And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..
and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..
i think that is what i want!!!
Basically i want the server as a central storage system for office documents that i create and use on a daily basis.
But also i want the MS Exchange and BES facility, would what you have described be able to do that?
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and cant predict the kind of job you will be running..
if some regular time stamped info will be kept you can use database sofware also..
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most of the files i have are MS word, excel and powerpoint, on average a couple of Mb each.....
Email is general small traffic, again there are files that are attachments but nothing massive ie. greater than 5Mb
Time stamping would not be essential as there are only 3 people who access the network and i know all of them.....
What i am trying to do is make sure that this system will last me for a few years, any IT outlay represents a large spend and the hassle of changing/relearning is such that if i can make this as smooth as possible it will make my life a lot easier.....and keep my wife off my back
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I think one server is capable of the jobs you want..
and you can use your external disks to back up regularly..
and a critical note, dont backup to the same media or disk everyday
in case of failure if you dont notice you will erase the good backups..
a better approach can be date based although a bit complicated..
so you can turn back to any date you want..
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if I understand correct you want to make a file server..
for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,
fast * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast
hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the
configuration
And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..
and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..
Ok so far so good, now to add soe complication.....
i have a couple of old tower units, they both have CD Roms in them, both P4 processors and have HDD's.....
Could i use any of these as the basis for the server?
I have what i call a standard router currently, looks like one of these
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_CASupport_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1166859938305&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=3830541396B05
will that do or will i have to upgrade?
You mention hubs, what i would like to do is have the peripherals running direct from the server via ethernet or usb if possible, can this be done
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if I understand correct you want to make a file server..
for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,
fast * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast
hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the
configuration
And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..
and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..
Ok so far so good, now to add soe complication.....
i have a couple of old tower units, they both have CD Roms in them, both P4 processors and have HDD's.....
Could i use any of these as the basis for the server?
I have what i call a standard router currently, looks like one of these
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_CASupport_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1166859938305&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=3830541396B05
will that do or will i have to upgrade?
You mention hubs, what i would like to do is have the peripherals running direct from the server via ethernet or usb if possible, can this be done
yep..you can use them..
one possibility is : one as a file server and another as a print server.. or if you want to connect the printers directly to the ethernet it depends on the the model but there are usb ethernet converters ..however still you will need one pc as print spooling mechanism which is still a print server..
for the print server you must bring down the firewalls if its xp or use old windows server versions etc..
net now is really slow cant see your link :-/
a good quality firewalled router will be essential for you..
and todays routers have many ethernet ports built in..so a seperate hub wont be necessary depending on physical conditions of course..
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now see the router..thats an average one..not sure have enough ports.. you may need to use a seperate hub..
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Just for storing files on an old PC is fine.
We had sites running database servers perfectly well on 486s
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if I understand correct you want to make a file server..
for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,
fast * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast
hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the
configuration
And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..
and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..
Seems very OTT to me!
Having said that god knows why I have a server on 24/7 and another 3 servers sat collecting dust 90% of the time! (not exactly small things either! ;D)
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I ran a server which hosted files / a forum and a rt chat room
HP Netserver dual 800 MHz cpu's 1gb of 133ecc ram and 6 x 36gb scsi drives
running through a netgear router.
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Have you already got licenses for BES? Seam to recall you have to buy one for each blackberry or you can by a pack, or site license.
Other route is the networkable portable hard drives on the market now, you just plug in power and a RJ45 cable and its there as a network drive.
It would prove cheap & easy to expand when needed
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if I understand correct you want to make a file server..
for that not much memory required..fast cpu with multiple cores,
fast * disks (10K RPM can be used) , ethernet card(s) and a fast
hub,router etc.. + good high amp Powersupply to feed the
configuration
And if desired 2.5 KVA UPS..
and if possible use static IP numbers (manual) with servers and PCs ..
Seems very OTT to me!
Having said that god knows why I have a server on 24/7 and another 3 servers sat collecting dust 90% of the time! (not exactly small things either! ;D)
Actually as a old IT staff there were days where 60-70% CPU utilizaton
was accepted as waste of money..But nowadays things are very
different.. And actually even a good file server can go down on the
kness if you decide to keep high quality images, music and video
files..
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I ran a server which hosted files / a forum and a rt chat room
HP Netserver dual 800 MHz cpu's 1gb of 133ecc ram and 6 x 36gb scsi drives
running through a netgear router.
multiple disk SCSI systems highly effect the performance ..
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off topic - cem - can you adjust your avatar a bit, it keeps cutting into your posts
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off topic - cem - can you adjust your avatar a bit, it keeps cutting into your posts
ok will arrange now :y
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if your gonig to be running exchange on the server i would consider windows mobile devices instead of the blackberrys.
Will give similar syncing options and remote management/wipe, but without the expense and hassle of a bes license.
Also, i believe BES can be quite resource hungry, which is never good if your trying to keep everything as simple as possible.
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if your gonig to be running exchange on the server i would consider windows mobile devices instead of the blackberrys.
Will give similar syncing options and remote management/wipe, but without the expense and hassle of a bes license.
Also, i believe BES can be quite resource hungry, which is never good if your trying to keep everything as simple as possible.
Having had a load of windows devices i hate them with a passion, got tired of the poor performance and constant locking up and resetting.
I had an iphone as well, crap battery life, the blackberry is about the best of all the devices i have owned and i will admit this has some issues but does seem to be more business oriented that the windows stuff.
hear what you are saying about the resource issues with BES, but if i know that before heading into the build then i can plan for that and possible put more memory in to allow BES to run freely
Other thing to remember, my primary machines are Mac machines.......now what sort of issues could that pose?
I am running Office Mac 2008 so MS/Mac file compatability is not an issue
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if your gonig to be running exchange on the server i would consider windows mobile devices instead of the blackberrys.
Will give similar syncing options and remote management/wipe, but without the expense and hassle of a bes license.
Also, i believe BES can be quite resource hungry, which is never good if your trying to keep everything as simple as possible.
Having had a load of windows devices i hate them with a passion, got tired of the poor performance and constant locking up and resetting.
I had an iphone as well, crap battery life, the blackberry is about the best of all the devices i have owned and i will admit this has some issues but does seem to be more business oriented that the windows stuff.
hear what you are saying about the resource issues with BES, but if i know that before heading into the build then i can plan for that and possible put more memory in to allow BES to run freely
Other thing to remember, my primary machines are Mac machines.......now what sort of issues could that pose?
I am running Office Mac 2008 so MS/Mac file compatability is not an issue
no idea about Mac 's ..havent used them for centuries.. :-/
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Sounds like a small server would do you well. Sounds like you are going for windoze if you need exchange. Possibly worth going for a version with AD for more centralised management, though GPO etc will only work on Win machines.
if planning on exchange 2007, you will need 64bit windows, and thus 64bit hardware. exchange 2003 is 32bit. although you can get mail to mostly work using dynamic IP, a static is better/more reliable.
Using a P4 as a 24/7 server may hit you leccy bill - p4 class pcs are not built to be energy aware, unlike modern c2d/c2q processor'd pcs.
Alternatively, if you need bes, host email at gmail (they can now do your domain), as iirc they have a freebie bes server.
If you want to discuss, let me know, I have done a fair few similar setups.
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if your gonig to be running exchange on the server i would consider windows mobile devices instead of the blackberrys.
Will give similar syncing options and remote management/wipe, but without the expense and hassle of a bes license.
Also, i believe BES can be quite resource hungry, which is never good if your trying to keep everything as simple as possible.
Having had a load of windows devices i hate them with a passion, got tired of the poor performance and constant locking up and resetting.
I had an iphone as well, crap battery life, the blackberry is about the best of all the devices i have owned and i will admit this has some issues but does seem to be more business oriented that the windows stuff.
hear what you are saying about the resource issues with BES, but if i know that before heading into the build then i can plan for that and possible put more memory in to allow BES to run freely
Other thing to remember, my primary machines are Mac machines.......now what sort of issues could that pose?
I am running Office Mac 2008 so MS/Mac file compatability is not an issue
my current windows device is an old htc with slide out keyboard. can't remember last time i had to restart it. they are better than they used to be, and for exchange sync, cannot be beaten.
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Just to throw into the pot, I run BES on my Lotus Notes server which is an OK box but not too dramatic and I doubt it is pushing more than 40% utilisation. Has 8 mail accounts, 4 of which have a BB associated and also has a small website so I would say BES is not at all resource hungry
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I run a bes on a dual core xeon with 2gb of ram and run 600 Blackberries off it into groupwise, it barely breaks a sweat.
IMO, Windows Mobile devices are toys in comparison to BB's
Do you 'really' need exchange ?
otherwise get one of your unused towers bung Suse Linux Enterprise server 10sp2, run samba and webmin and you've got a great fileserver without paying microshaft it's ludricous licencing costs or having exchange cripple your server.
btw bes licences are about £75 a piece, but you may get some free if you speak to your supplier, I got loads free.