Hi guys,
I have a question about making a small business network. But... I'm a noob on this one.
At my work (I repair cars), we are running a network which was build by the IT-people from VW-Audi.
The server is a Dell PowerEdge quad-core Server running Red Hat, I don't know exactly the type, and the 6 workstations are Dell Optiplex with some dual core processor in it and running XP Pro. Exact numbers and names I can write down tomorrow.
Situation now is that the contract between my boss and VW-AUDI is finished in a few weeks and we are free to run software whatever we like because of they stop providing their software.
We would like to use Windows based software for accountancy and add 2 more workstations that are located in an other garage.
Question: Is it manageable for a noob (I do know my way around in a home network) to accomplish this?
-Formatting and installing the server would be the most easiest part, I guess. I would like to reformat and reconfigure the workstations to.
-The VPN for the 2 workstations = big question-mark.
-Setting up an email-server is also a big "?"
-Configure the server so that every user (name) has got his own environment and software to work with would be the best situation. But I guess that configuring each workstation for specific demands is a lot easier.
-Would a gigabyte network switch in combination with changing all networkcards in all stations from 10/100 to gigabyte help to reduce the traffic-jam when much people are working in the same program?
Why this question:
Workstations are gonna run a prog that is named "CARFAC".
actually we are running it already for some years but it is installed on an old Pentium 4 PC, converted to a server. The whole system is a bottleneck and the guys from CARFAC are not able to install their software on a Linuxbased server. So for upgrading our network we would like to reuse the Linux server, which is pretty fast compared to the old Pentium 4.
And for lowering the costs we would like to give it a try ourself.
It also would be a good learning-school for me
.
For all dumb questions, please don't curse me.
All advice and suggestions are welcome. At the moment I'm searching as much info as possible about similar situations.
I have a question about making a small business network. But... I'm a noob on this one.
At my work (I repair cars), we are running a network which was build by the IT-people from VW-Audi.
The server is a Dell PowerEdge quad-core Server running Red Hat, I don't know exactly the type, and the 6 workstations are Dell Optiplex with some dual core processor in it and running XP Pro. Exact numbers and names I can write down tomorrow.
Situation now is that the contract between my boss and VW-AUDI is finished in a few weeks and we are free to run software whatever we like because of they stop providing their software.
We would like to use Windows based software for accountancy and add 2 more workstations that are located in an other garage.
Question: Is it manageable for a noob (I do know my way around in a home network) to accomplish this?
-Formatting and installing the server would be the most easiest part, I guess. I would like to reformat and reconfigure the workstations to.
-The VPN for the 2 workstations = big question-mark.
-Setting up an email-server is also a big "?"
-Configure the server so that every user (name) has got his own environment and software to work with would be the best situation. But I guess that configuring each workstation for specific demands is a lot easier.
-Would a gigabyte network switch in combination with changing all networkcards in all stations from 10/100 to gigabyte help to reduce the traffic-jam when much people are working in the same program?
Why this question:
Workstations are gonna run a prog that is named "CARFAC".
actually we are running it already for some years but it is installed on an old Pentium 4 PC, converted to a server. The whole system is a bottleneck and the guys from CARFAC are not able to install their software on a Linuxbased server. So for upgrading our network we would like to reuse the Linux server, which is pretty fast compared to the old Pentium 4.
And for lowering the costs we would like to give it a try ourself.
It also would be a good learning-school for me
For all dumb questions, please don't curse me.
All advice and suggestions are welcome. At the moment I'm searching as much info as possible about similar situations.
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