Ideas for a cheap small office network/server (need help)

Vanity | 10-21-2009 | Frantzie

[Frantzie]

I am looking at setting up a small network with a server and 2 machines to start and adding maybe another later.

[Frantzie]

I can buy used Dell or HP desktops with XP or XP Pro for just over $100. They usually wipe the drives and put in a new install. For the server i can get a cheap Dell like a PowerEdge, Compaq or HP. Not a rack mount, probably small tower. I see eBay has a Dell Power Edge Dual Xeon 2.0 for $129. I would probably put two new drives in and mirror them. I really do not need anything that fast.

I will probably run CRM and some other programs off the server. I may or may not use a mail server. I am wonder what I can use for cheap server software.

It looks like I may be able to get a small Dell Power Edge with Windows Small Business Server 2003 for $400 or so. I need to search ebay for HP and Compaq servers too.

I could maybe use XP Pro which is not a server but I could access files.

It will be the Wintel world so please no Mac or LINUX suggestions. Thanks for the help.

[tired1]

It seems to me that a flavor of Linux would be obvious. Why not?

[refreshed]

If you simply want a server, why not Linux? You can still have windows terminals, and it will be much more stable.

[IamConservative]

Checkout Windows Small Business Server...

Dell Outlet has good buys once in awhile. If I was buying used/refurb, I’d stick Dell and not Ebay one..

[mkleesma]

Windows SBS is the way to go, as it includes everything you need to set up your network, send email, etc. I’d spend the extra cash and have a pro set it up - most of it’s a cinch, but setting up things like DNS and Exchange can get a bit complicated.
Ubuntu Linux is great, but there is a pretty steep learning curve to master it’s intricacies.

[stainlessbanner]

If reliability/uptime is a requirement, you'll want to go with server-class equipment - better quality components and usually additional cooling.

For O/S, Linux advocate here, but don't go Linux unless you (or your team) is comfortable supporting it.

[max americana]

That is true. I now have 2 Dell laptops, refurbed, and running XP Pro. I just discovered the Dell Refurbished Line this year before I bought my new Dell Inspiron.

[Frantzie]

Never admin’ed it in a small office enviro. What do they have in a server?

Also any LINUX experts here? Looking to see if I can put a LINUX wrapper on a 16-bit legacy program having problems running on Vista 64. I looked at a WINE wrapper but had a problem with it. It would have to install easily as a package. Something like a Java jar.

[Frantzie]

I know to repair and set up guys who I can call. One is probably better for setting up the server.

[fr_freak]

I can buy used Dell or HP desktops with XP or XP Pro for just over $100.

Definitely go with XP Pro rather than the Home edition, if you have the choice. However, just be aware that Microsoft is going to do everything it can to end-of-life XP asap now that Windows 7 is out. I wouldn't recommend using XP for your server, though. It has a limited number of simultaneous connections that it allows (I forget the exact number, something like 15).

[cc2k]

If you are going to run your business on this, and a failure will put you out of business, I would strongly recommend going with a server class of machine. In the used market, these can be found at reasonable prices, often below $300.

The features I look for are redundant power supplies, disk arrays (RAID) so that a single disk failure gives you a warning with no down time.

Search eBay for "proliant" to find some good server class machines.

For software, if you must have Windows, Windows Server of some flavor is the way to go. You can set up a domain on that and have a single logon that works from all the computers and centralized security and management.

I know you said you want windows, but if you can live without Windows, a Linux server, either Centos or Ubuntu server will run faster on older hardware, and be more secure. There is a learning curve, but the security and performance are worth it in my opinion.

There are many open source services that run on Windows. I think Apache2 is available for Windows.

Still I would recommend using a good hosting service for your website and mail services. They are much more experienced at anti-spam measures. If you set up your own domain and point it to your own mail server, expect to be deluged with spam in short order. Also, exposing your own server and network to the internet means you really need to be up on security. I wouldn’t expose a Windows server for my business to the Internet for anything. That is just me. Windows plus ports open to the internet equals 0wn3d by hackers more often than not.

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[Just mythoughts]

What state are you in?

[refreshed]

I’ll see if my favorite Linux guy can get on the forum and post. I don’t know if he’d be able to answer your question, but he’s pretty knowledgeable.

[Billthedrill]

Lots of factors. The principal problem with a Linux server is somebody to run it. But running any server platform, including the various Microsoft options, isn't like running a workstation.

A couple of suggestions. Figure out what storage you'll need, multiply it by ten, and purchase drives to match. I'd go for hardware RAID1 for simplicity's sake if your needs fit that. PRICE IN BACKUP, not only the system but the time and labor inherent in running it. Running say, a weekly full to an optical drive is a very temporary solution but better than nothing. Backing up to an external USB HD is a solution a lot of one-server operations are going to.

Don't cheap out on network hardware even for two workstations. You'll regret it if you do.

That's just some general thoughts. We can get more specific if you'll share your needs.

[Frantzie]

Thanks.