small business network

[PierrePp]

Hello everybody,

I've got to set up a network for my small business,

I need a few basic functions:
share data on a server(probably a pc desktop HD RAID 1, back done on external HD)
with an access management.

a router to connect the office computer to the server and internet,
-3 mac OSX
-4 PC (either XP pro or 7 Pro)
-3-4 guest (pc's and macs)
-2 printers

Also 3 other computer pretty far from that about 150 Meters(490fts)
in the same building which need to be linked to the main network and not to internet.
2 printers use locally use on these computer.
I've already got a Linksys WRT54GL to connect the guest computer's on a wireless network.
So I need some advice on what Os will be the best to use for the server,
-what the best OS I should use for the server?
-Can I use the firewall of server OS?
-what will be the easiest option to set up the account?(ad..)
-Is a desktop (8g of ram 4*4To HD and I5 2500K ) will do the job ?

Thanks a lot in advance for your help,

Pierre

Ps: I learn that a couple of years ago... without using it. being a bit rusty any tutorial to refresh my knowledge will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[drebo]

I'd go with a ProLiant ML110 with mirrored hard drives on a SmartArray P212 and Windows Server 2008 Foundation. It's basically a stripped down version of Active Directory that's capped at 15 users, but there's no user-level licensing. It's pretty slick and very cheap. Perfect for your needs.

If you have line of sight between the two groups of computers, I'd grab two Ubiquiti Nanostation M5s and set up a wireless bridge between the two groups. If you don't have line of sight, but do have regular telco wire between them, grab some Startech VDSL Ethernet Extenders and use that to extend the Ethernet network over a single pair of telco copper. Both solutions work very well and are relatively inexpensive.

 

[wlee]

I would agree with the choice of the HP 110, but would suggest Wndows Small Business Server 2011 Esssentials. It should be much easier for you to setup and maintain than Server 2008R2 as it can be managed via the "dashboard", a feature that it shares with Wndows Home Server. It also has a good backup solution for each of the client PC. There is also official support for OS X, though there is a bug with the client connector and OS X Lion right now. There are work arounds until an official fix is avail. Have a look at the links below.



http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/products/servers/Pages/windows_sbs_2011_essentials_overview.aspx

http://www.wegotserved.com/

 

[PierrePp]

First of all Thanks a lot for your great advice guys,

To drebo :
As I'm living in Cambodia the ProLiant ML110 is available but so far I can't fin any SAS hard drive(trying to get them from elsewhere) so as far I know the SmartArray P212 will be pretty much useless. Am I wrong on that? Can I use several decent SATA HD in Raid 1 instead?

I don't have line of sight between the two groups of computers so I will go for Startech VDSL Ethernet Extenders(if I can find that here)
Thanks again for your help

To wlee :
Regarding the server version I think I have to my homework but this could be a better option if we go further than 15 users also thanks to point out the Mac comparability( they are not on Lion yet).

Otherwise for the firewall can I use the one used on each client or should I use SonicWall's, FortiGate-80CM or something like cyberoam.

Sorry a lot newbie's questions.

Thanks,

Pierre

Ps great forum!