Server

[compbuilder00]

Hey,

In my company, we have reached critical limits on storage and we need more features. We need the ability to have a central file storage, we need a solution that we can get files over an internet connection e.g maybe an FTP server. we are also thing about setting up an e-mail system through this central computer. I was thinking about putting in a server but I dont know where to start.

Sean

 

[Sunner]

Well, to begin with, do you have any in house competence with regards to setting up servers of any kind(Windows, Linux, whatever) ?
If it's for business use, it's a VERY good idea to let a professional do it, be it a consultant or in house.

 

[RebateMonger]

I suggest taking a hard look at Microsoft's Small Business Server 2003. It combines a file server, domain controller, email server, and remote access server with other tools for managing all your PCs, doing automated backups and for easily sharing information among all your employees.

Dell, Gateway, etc. often have deals on their servers with SBS 2003 pre-installed.

 

[Ayah]

I suggest buying a server and getting long term support from a local computer store. Unless you have someone interally who's fairly competent with hardware, networking and servers.

 

[Podolak]

How many users do you have now and what does future growth look like? SBS (Small Business Server) is a good start but many companies out grow it. Depending on your needs, you may be looking at multiple servers up front.

If cost is a huge issue I'd go open source. www.clarkconnect.org is a good place to start for a linux based server solution that is easy to install and manage. It has a nifty web interface already setup. If you have someone in-house with experience I'd just instal a full distro of FC5 with the components that are needed.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Podolak
www.clarkconnect.org .

That Domain doesn't exist. Do you mean "Drakconnect"?

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Podolak
www.clarkconnect.org .

That Domain doesn't exist. Do you mean "Drakconnect"?

Nah, he meant this.

 

[Podolak]

Interesting.

When I typed www.clarkconnect.org it auto rerouted to www.clarkconnect.com. I wonder why it did not do so for you?

In all future posts I'll use the commercial site.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: Podolak
Interesting.

When I typed www.clarkconnect.org it auto rerouted to www.clarkconnect.com. I wonder why it did not do so for you?

In all future posts I'll use the commercial site.

You've been hacked by the linux gremlins and your host files has been corrupted. Step away from the computer and nuke from high orbit.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Podolak
When I typed www.clarkconnect.org it auto rerouted to www.clarkconnect.com. I wonder why it did not do so for you?

Nah. I was typing the wrong domain name....gotta use my glasses, I guess...

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: compbuilder00
Hey,

In my company, we have reached critical limits on storage and we need more features. We need the ability to have a central file storage, we need a solution that we can get files over an internet connection e.g maybe an FTP server. we are also thing about setting up an e-mail system through this central computer. I was thinking about putting in a server but I dont know where to start.

Sean

Well, MY suggest would be set up a Samba domain. But you have to be willing to get your hands dirty in geekdom. If you have never touched linux, you would probably expect to spend a couple months to get a hang of things, and then test the heck out of anything and everything before you start using it in production.

The other options are a drop in box from Clarkconnect, as mentioned, an SBS Server, good if you won't be growing beyond 250 users, or getting a consultant.

I HIGHLY warn you against going with a local consultant. I've had to clean up the aftermath left behind for every consultant I know of local around here. Around here anyway, these are guys who know how to replace a PCI card, but are way over there head when it comes to setting up servers (or doing pretty much any sort of system configuration). Instead of learning how to do it right though, they just want to make a quick buck so they muck it in and when things don't work right they tell the customer it is not their fault and charge more money to fix problems they keep creating. If you want to go with a consultant, go with Dell. Their people will be professionally trained and if they do muck something up, they will fix it (in my experiences at least, with no hassle).

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: Brazen

Originally posted by: compbuilder00
Hey,

In my company, we have reached critical limits on storage and we need more features. We need the ability to have a central file storage, we need a solution that we can get files over an internet connection e.g maybe an FTP server. we are also thing about setting up an e-mail system through this central computer. I was thinking about putting in a server but I dont know where to start.

Sean

Well, MY suggest would be set up a Samba domain. But you have to be willing to get your hands dirty in geekdom. If you have never touched linux, you would probably expect to spend a couple months to get a hang of things, and then test the heck out of anything and everything before you start using it in production.

The other options are a drop in box from Clarkconnect, as mentioned, an SBS Server, good if you won't be growing beyond 250 users, or getting a consultant.

I HIGHLY warn you against going with a local consultant. I've had to clean up the aftermath left behind for every consultant I know of local around here. Around here anyway, these are guys who know how to replace a PCI card, but are way over there head when it comes to setting up servers (or doing pretty much any sort of system configuration). Instead of learning how to do it right though, they just want to make a quick buck so they muck it in and when things don't work right they tell the customer it is not their fault and charge more money to fix problems they keep creating. If you want to go with a consultant, go with Dell. Their people will be professionally trained and if they do muck something up, they will fix it (in my experiences at least, with no hassle).

Local consultants are a tough thing, because there are so many out-of-highschool "I do networking" (plugged 2 pc's into a router) type out there. I do local freelance stuff after work from time to time, but it's always small term, and I turn down larger, more complex stuff due to time requirements (I usually work 60 hours a week). I have seen some pretty bad stuff. Also, you can tell a decent one from an amature based on what systems they recommend. If they say "yeah, we can custom build you those" I would hang up...if they say "Yeah, Dell has some decent systems, and good next day onsite support" I would look lots closer.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: nweaver
If they say "yeah, we can custom build you those" I would hang up...if they say "Yeah, Dell has some decent systems, and good next day onsite support" I would look lots closer.

Well, I don't know. I know like AOS does not custom build computers, they will sell you an HP and then bill you for their time setting it up. But, if I was going into business myself (which I've considered), I would probably push for my own custom boxes, cuz that would mean more work for my little business and more support revenue all coming to me instead of sharing it with Dell. I suppose it depends on what you are talking about custom building though, the only thing I can think of is PCs. Even a 1U or 2U rackmount server is a piece of cake to put together just as well as a Dell. The problem I see is in the setup and configuration of said hardware. This is the main reason I don't think I will ever go into business myself. I just can't bring myself to recommend going with local consultants as a generality. I know there are the sporadic few good ones, and I know I would be a good one, but I would say it's gotta be like 90% of them are the "I can plug in a network cable so I can do anything" type who do stuff way out of their league. And around here, it's 100% for sure. I've even seen some really dumb setups with people's simple home computers (like the cable modem that local PC shop set up and plugged in both the usb and ethernet connections).

BTW, I do not do any kind of consulting (not even for a big company), I am a sysadmin who just helps out, very much "on the side" for friends, co-workers, and church members, etc. I personally always recommend Dell, but just because with my full-time job there is no frickin way I have time to custom build and support anything.

 

[Brazen]

to put it simply: there are a lot more Link19s out there doing consulting than mweavers.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Brazen
I HIGHLY warn you against going with a local consultant. I've had to clean up the aftermath left behind for every consultant I know of local around here.

Brazen, I wish you wouldn't be so hard on consultants in general. Like in every business, there are good ones and bad ones. I know SMB IT consultants from across the country, and I believe there are many good ones. But I don't get to meet the bad ones, because they don't show up at the local and national SMB-consultant meetings.

Local IT consultants are necessary for many businesses. Few businesses can afford to keep a trained IT person on their payroll. If they try to make-do with a PC-knowledgeable employee or relative, the result is grossly vulnerable and unreliable computers.

And Dell isn't going to come to the office at 2am in the morning to rescue a downed server so the employees can come to work the next morning.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
And Dell isn't going to come to the office at 2am in the morning to rescue a downed server so the employees can come to work the next morning.

Depeding on your support contract, yes they will.

MAYBE things are different in other parts of the world, but all my run-ins with local consultants have been negative, and customers have suffered from repeated support costs and downtime costs than if they would have just gone with a bigger, more qualified company.

Hearing your word is one thing, and all I've got to put here is my own words, but for myself, I have a lot of personal experience to overcome before I have a good feeling about local consultants.

 

[Askalon]

heh, as a consultant I agree with Brazen. I have walked into to many places where the first words were..."yeah, we had this guy that he did this part time..."

Our company has been around a few years (since 1986) and we have seen and done lots of things (not all good) depending on what the customer wanted. We can make our suggestions and state out case, but in the end, it is up to them as they are footing the bill.

We never make our own servers, too much hassle when Dell and HP make excellent ones at low cost. We do make our own desktops, but usually push for HP.