moving from peer2peer to a server based network

Originally posted by: D George

Why cant IT be simple?

As with anything, it is if you know what your doing. As with any essential part of your business it would probably be more cost effective to outsource the whole network to a local company who specialise in networking. That way you tell them what you need and they provide and manage the end solution.

To learn everything to manage such a solution effectively would:

A) Cost hundreds, if not thousands in training and time spent learning and
B) Remove your focus from the day to day running and growth of your business (i.e. your core strengths)

Shop around and get some prices, let them know you are shopping around and above all get and check out references.

Lyndon
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Thanks Lyndon,

It really was a time issue more than anything and wanting to get ball park figure and other people’s experiences. We have got in a local networking company preparing a quote for us as of yesterday but get 3 quotes if the first is competitive seems time consuming.

Thanks for the comments

Hi,
well you should expect to pay £30 to £40ph (minimum) for somebody who knows what they are doing.
I'm not sure what your reason is for needing a network is but if its just to simplify file
sharing and perhaps allow remote users access to these files there may be a cheaper, interim step you could take.
As for downtime its very hard to say, setting the server up, domain, users etc will not impact on the current running of the peer to peer network, switching the PC's over to login to the domain etc should not take too long, so hopefully you wont be without a working network for too long.

Sorry I can't offer much more advice with the information I have.

Mike

Mike is quite correct, to implement the solution shouldn't create too much downtime (maybe an hour per client max.) as most of the work is done centrally at the server.

Also, it might be worth approaching Dell as their on-site support packages can provide about 95% of what you would probably need and their hardware costs are fairly reasonable. Don't order online but ring and get yourself an account manager. They will even do the install and configuration for you should you need it.

As far as costs are concerned, I'd budget at least £2,000 for a decent server (WITH BACKUP SOLUTION!!!!!) - yes you can get them cheaper but it's worth doing it properly and I cringe whenever I see anyone investing in new server hardware with no backup hardware. As far as the installation and maintenance costs go there are so many variables to consider - the best advice I can give is to shop around.

Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions.

Lyndon

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Hi,

i think I can help you with this! i work with a client who offers businesses in Central London 100% FREE impartial advice on ALL ICT related issues. If you are interested in getting a new server etc, then they woud be more than happy to give you impartial and independent advice on everything (Free). The company is called Online Computing and they are the only Central London based IT company who have the TMB accreditation from the DTi, so all advice is audited as impartial. They will tell you what you need, the costs involved and the best place to get it!

If you would like me to hook you up with them, please let me know and they will meet up with you in the very near future. Please contact me directly if interested. My email is: chris.austin@salesfirst.co.uk.

Thanks again

Chris Austin

SalesFirst Limited.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

We are moving to a server based network as our peer to peer is starting to strugle with the work load as we are getting busier and busier and taking on staff and expecting probably a little too much from it.

We bought a server through our account manager who was very helpful (we bought a tape & power backup!)

The problem we have now is we tried to do it ourselves as we have learnt everything else and thought we could manage it but found ourselves out of our depth.

We have now had one quote of £500 to set up but they are unwilling to do onging support and we dont want to make a decision that is short term. we want to be able to grow easily from this point to 15-20 staff members and the possibility of a VPN.

hope this explains my situation a little further!

Hey Damian,

If your still having problems with setting up your new network, drop me an email. I'm a Microsoft & Cisco certified engineer currently running a small consultancy business supporting SMEs. I'd be more than happy to offer any advice and carry out the work should you wish to employ my services.

Cheers

24tech