A close friend of mine has asked if I could help him with an IT setup for his two small businesses. Whilst I'm competent enough when it comes to speccing, building and installing home/gaming PC's, I'm a bit out of my depth when it comes to business solutions - hence I'm seeking some advice from those in the know (that means you guys 
).
The two businesses will operate out of the same office, and currently they have a total of five staff. They are in the process of securing new (larger) office premises and there is intention for the businesses to expand to a total of around 12 employees over the next few years.
The general requirements are:
- Mirrored file storage, with separate physical drives for each business. The required capacity is likely to be around 500Gb (ish) for each business, hence I anticipate using 2x500Gb or 2x640Gb mirrored drives for each - so a total of 4x500/640Gb drives.
- Ability to remotely access files when away from the office.
- Gigabit and wireless N local connectivity.
Their current hardware consists of three desktop PC's and three laptops (all six running Vista Business or Vista Ultimate), two shared printers (possibly more in future), an eight way switch, and a very basic NAS system (Netgear pig). I anticipate retiring the NAS system or employing it as a separate backup facility (to be stored in a fireproof safe).
My feeling is that they could either use a more advanced NAS system that allows for four drives + gigabit networking + remote access, or alternatively a server system to provide these features and more to allow for future requirements. Either of these setups would be complemented by a larger switch (probably 24 port), and a wireless N router. Internet connectivity will be ADSL. The one business is a design/web agency and hence they deal with large photoshop files for print, hence network speed is an important consideration.
It should be noted that the wish is for the two business to employ the storage on separate hard drives to allow for future disaggregation of the businesses, should either expand such that they require separation of the businesses into their own individual premises.
I've looked around and can't really put my finger on a particular solution that will best suit the requirements. Hence I would appreciate any advice that can be offered!
TIA,
Nami
PS if if I've missed any information pls ask
).The two businesses will operate out of the same office, and currently they have a total of five staff. They are in the process of securing new (larger) office premises and there is intention for the businesses to expand to a total of around 12 employees over the next few years.
The general requirements are:
- Mirrored file storage, with separate physical drives for each business. The required capacity is likely to be around 500Gb (ish) for each business, hence I anticipate using 2x500Gb or 2x640Gb mirrored drives for each - so a total of 4x500/640Gb drives.
- Ability to remotely access files when away from the office.
- Gigabit and wireless N local connectivity.
Their current hardware consists of three desktop PC's and three laptops (all six running Vista Business or Vista Ultimate), two shared printers (possibly more in future), an eight way switch, and a very basic NAS system (Netgear pig). I anticipate retiring the NAS system or employing it as a separate backup facility (to be stored in a fireproof safe).
My feeling is that they could either use a more advanced NAS system that allows for four drives + gigabit networking + remote access, or alternatively a server system to provide these features and more to allow for future requirements. Either of these setups would be complemented by a larger switch (probably 24 port), and a wireless N router. Internet connectivity will be ADSL. The one business is a design/web agency and hence they deal with large photoshop files for print, hence network speed is an important consideration.
It should be noted that the wish is for the two business to employ the storage on separate hard drives to allow for future disaggregation of the businesses, should either expand such that they require separation of the businesses into their own individual premises.
I've looked around and can't really put my finger on a particular solution that will best suit the requirements. Hence I would appreciate any advice that can be offered!
TIA,
Nami
PS if if I've missed any information pls ask
Or maybe fire a link over that I can do my reading and come back a little better informed?