Any experts on Servers / Networks

[Pazza]

I need to setup a network for the company I work for. There are around 50 people in total and some work remotely so VPN is essential.

What we need..

1. Internal network / share files pending on user sign-in on pc's.
2. VPN connectivity from remote office/home.
3. Host websites (only a few to start) using MS SQL 2005 data access (must be secure).
4. Email delivery system.
5. UPS.
6. Backup solution.
7. Shared resource - 2x printers.
8. Want to send/receive faxes via users machines.

It is obviously very important only authorised people get access to internal documents via VPN or login.

Current equiptment/connection is:
2x ADSL lines load-balanced using Draytek Vigor 2900
5 statis IP addresses allocated to us
2x HP Procurve Switches (2524 I think)
1x HP Server (not sure which model, but it's pretty new)

My best guess is as follows:-

Use existing router with firewall activated
Use existing HP Server as a DMZ
Use existing switches
1 new rackmount server to host the website(s)
1 new rackmount server to host SQL Server 2005 (behind new firewall)
1 new rackmount server to control internal network
1 new storage rackmount device to hold all internal documents
1 new rackmount UPS for whole rack

I guess I would need to purchase MS Windows Server 2003 R2 on each machine or is there a license where 1 copy can be setup on each server?

Any links to example setup & configuration sites would also be most welcome.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. My knowledge is pretty limited but I would really like to get advise from an expert.

[Funkstar]

My knowledge is pretty limited but I would really like to get advise from an expert.

In that case hire someone to do it for you.


Seriously.

[dave87]

I second Funkstars advice, get someone in, get a service contract, and then if anything goes wrong, then you've got someone to shout at . That is, unless management want it handled in house.

What you've got listed currently will mean a large outlay for the company in terms of IT equipment (it is a cost centre, not a profit driving one). You could probably simplify it down a bit, you mention an existing HP server? I'm guessing this is already controlling the internal network? if it is doing its job, I'd leave it doing it (unless its low spec, in which case you may need to upgrade/replace it to get the best performance). The other thing is, do you really need printing over VPN? cause it'll swallow bandwidth like theres no tomorrow, and due to the load balanced lines, will affect services for other users.

The other thing is the internal documents server - basically a Content Management Server. Depending on number of documents, Google do a service (not sure on cost though) that may be perfect for what you need.

Like Funkstar said, unless the management want it handled in house, I'd be seriously tempted to get someone in. That way, any screw ups can be blamed on contractors, rather than yourself

[Pazza]

That's the problem - they want it in house as they plan to expand into web development in the near future. The current server is actually turned off and we have no network at the moment - just PC's connected to the net.

Printing is only to be local in the office - not over the net.

We do have network ports all over the office from the server room as we do have a server setup but this cannot be touched as it's directly linked to a client in Germany. We can however make use of the network cables/ports that are distributed around the office.

The budget is around £6k.

[Funkstar]

You'll never get all that for £6K. Your client access licenses for Win2K3 and 50 PCs is going to be waaaaaay more on their own.

That's the problem - they want it in house as they plan to expand into web development in the near future.

you need to hire someone that know what they are doing or take on a consultant to point you in the right direction.

At one point, before we got your network all up and running, i thought i would be able to set everything up with a some reading up and playing around. I now know that there is a lot more to it than that. Really, it is not a simple thing to do if you haven't done it before. I know quite a bit about networking, but i also realise there is a vast mount i don't know

edit: Not to mention backup software licences, server anti virus licences, exchange email spam filter licences, vpn client licences, and the list goes on.

Assume £2k per server, and you want 4 going by that list. A good UPS for all that? another grand. Do you have a rack unit? they are not cheap.

If you get a quote for all that from a third party, expect it to be closer to £60k than £6k

[Pazza]

You'll never get all that for £6K. Your client access licenses for Win2K3 and 50 PCs is going to be waaaaaay more on their own.

The PC's are not the issue, we already have them. I hear what your saying and my preference is not to do it. But, I need to find some sort of solution.

[dave87]

CALs are not licenses for the PCs themselves to run windows, but for them to be able to access the Servers...

[Pazza]

sorry - let me clear that up a little. 50 users need to have access to internal stuff via a website (not direct on the server). Only 5 people need access on the server.