Spec me an office network (Please)

cmt · 11 Apr 2007 at 09:44

At work we have 5 pcs 1 'server' (with the shared directories on it, and two epson r300's attached to it), 3 standard 'client' pc's and a laptop that moves from the office to home and back.

what i am looking to do is 'sort' the system as the software that is on some of th machines is 'unlicenced' (not my doing - was like that when i arrived).

The problems at the moment are that the email software on the 'server' is playing up and there are numerous errors on the other machines.

If you could suggest a good setup for the machines it would be appreciated.

What it needs to do is:

>> Share folders (Documents)
>> Share two Epson R300 printers
>> Email server (With shared calendars / contacts / public folders) all collected from a single pop3 server (with multiple alias accounts to be distributed to the client pc's)
>> Remote access

>> Client pc's need to run an office suite capable of running macro's (A lot of the spreadsheets have macros built into them for carrying out repetitive tasks and custom formatting.

>> Needs to be reasonably affordable and easy to set up.

Any advise is GREATLY appreciated.

Mark M · 11 Apr 2007 at 09:56

Go for Server 2003 SBS, excellent piece of kit.

Are the R300's inkjet printers? If so it would be more cost effective to use a laser printer I would imagine :confused:

Do you want to go wireless for the laptop or are you not bothered about having to plug it in each time?

A[L]C · 11 Apr 2007 at 09:58

Get something like the HP Colour Laserjet 2600N, or the 3800. The 2600 is cheap - its actually cheaper to buy a new one than to replace the toner

Mark M · 11 Apr 2007 at 10:03

Also if you are looking to get genuine MS Office then I would look at buying some OEM versions of Office 2003, or even Office XP if you can find any, as they will be really cheap.

The alternative is Open Office but I wasnt that impressed with it to be honest.

cmt · 11 Apr 2007 at 10:21

Mark M said:
Go for Server 2003 SBS, excellent piece of kit.

Are the R300's inkjet printers? If so it would be more cost effective to use a laser printer I would imagine

Do you want to go wireless for the laptop or are you not bothered about having to plug it in each time?

the laptop is connected to the router wirelessly and is fine at the moment.

Are the R300's inkjet printers? If so it would be more cost effective to use a laser printer I would imagine

Yes they are, but they are flexible and cheap to run (Set of compatible carts are less than £10, and all members of staff use the same printer at home so means ink is ordered in bulk)

cmt · 11 Apr 2007 at 10:22

Mark M said:
Also if you are looking to get genuine MS Office then I would look at buying some OEM versions of Office 2003, or even Office XP if you can find any, as they will be really cheap.

The alternative is Open Office but I wasnt that impressed with it to be honest.

looked at open office, but i dont think it handles macros that well (Correct me if i am wrong)

cmt · 11 Apr 2007 at 10:23

Mark M said:
Go for Server 2003 SBS, excellent piece of kit.

is SBS2003 easy to set up - email wise (ie can a complete numpty like me do it

)

Mark M · 11 Apr 2007 at 10:33

Its very easy to set up yes. Its all wizards and all you will need are your pop3 details and passwords.

zetec452 · 11 Apr 2007 at 10:42

Mark M said:
Its very easy to set up yes. Its all wizards and all you will need are your pop3 details and passwords.

I wouldn't recommend using POP3. Use the SMTP connector and have your email delivered to your server directly.

cmt · 11 Apr 2007 at 10:44

JonRohan said:
I wouldn't recommend using POP3. Use the SMTP connector and have your email delivered to your server directly.

bit out of my depth with that one i think.

plus what would happen if the server is off for any reason, do the emails 'queue' awaiting collection or are they returned to sender / lost.

is it easy to set up

Mark M · 11 Apr 2007 at 10:50

JonRohan said:
I wouldn't recommend using POP3. Use the SMTP connector and have your email delivered to your server directly.

Just going on the the original spec

I would also send them direct but that might not be possible for what ever reason.

cmt - yes they just get stored until the server is back online.

Ive seen a SBS set up initially with pop3 mail and then later change when the companies host was changed to one that allowed dns access.

zetec452 · 11 Apr 2007 at 11:16

cmt said:
bit out of my depth with that one i think.

plus what would happen if the server is off for any reason, do the emails 'queue' awaiting collection or are they returned to sender / lost.

is it easy to set up

Yes you can have a backup mail server if yours is down. Most ISP's will provide this for little cost.

cmt · 11 Apr 2007 at 11:20

we use BT business broadband, if that helps.

cmt · 11 Apr 2007 at 11:29

Just seen this at my local software emporium

Small Business Server Standard Including 5 CALS - R2

is this what i would need, and what else would i require for the other pc's

Mark M · 11 Apr 2007 at 11:37

Yup thats it.

XP pro on each machine and little else that I can think of off the top of my head.

cmt · 11 Apr 2007 at 11:41

been reading about active directories and domains etc and it gives me headaches!!.

at the moment it is on a workgroup with shared files. i presume that i would need to use domains / active directories to get exchange working?

sorry about all the questions..........

Mark M · 11 Apr 2007 at 12:02

Yeah but you will be surprised at how easy it is to set up in SBS and if you get stuck there are loads of people there who can help you

mdjmcnally · 11 Apr 2007 at 12:14

SBS will use the Wizards to sort out that for you. The real headache with AD and Domains in large companies comes from having sub-domains and trust relationships. SBS is not designed for those area's. If you follow the Wizards it is hard to go wrong providing you can answer the basics.

The real trick with SBS is to stick with the Microsoft Wizards for doing everything. Even the real experts (and I am not one of them) has trouble with SBS if they don't use the wizards

If you already have an email server then you already have a potential domain name

ie if your email is [email protected] then SBS could use yourcompany.local as the domain name and then use a DNS forwarder to resolve anything outside of yourcompany.local.

This is the sort of thing that is done through the setup script and wizards. SBS Standard is one of the easiest ways for people to get a small network up and running for non-techies. I once installed a Firewall for a customer who could get SBS working with Mail Delivery and Remote Access and File Sharing but couldn't configure an ADSL router correctly.

cmt · 11 Apr 2007 at 13:18

SBS2003 and 5 client licences ordered, should be with me tomorrow.

The the fun will start (Along with all the questions)

How long do you think it will take to install it all and set it up?

Mark M · 11 Apr 2007 at 13:30

I would say you would have it done in a morning, with only 5 clients

Have you considered some kind of backup solution? It appears you have a fairly tight budget but I cant stress enough the importance of backing up your whole server and not just the files. You can pick up a tape drive for about £150 these days. I beleive HP are doing a good one with software bundled in that will do everything you need.