5 user network. Your thoughts?

[Ns1]

Not sure if this is right place, but here goes....


We're giving a rough blueprint of a system. 5 user system, AFAIK going to be part of their inventory department. Am I missing anything here? The details aren't that important, just wanted to know if I'm missing any hardware/components


Hell, since you guys are so curious, here's the system we're recommending

- 5x HP Workstation XW4600, 20" Monitor, APC backup
- Juniper Networks SSG-5 Firewall
- SMC 24 port switch
- HP LaserJet 2015x


- APC Smart UPS 5000VA
- PV110 LTO-2L
- TRENDnet TK-407K KVM
- 2x PowerEdge 2900 (one file/app/data one terminal, or something to that effect (I don't set these up))

This network IMHO is WAY overkill for their needs, but should allow them to expand as a business without worrying too much about their network. The only think I may be missing is a WAP, but I believe the Firewall actually handles that too.

I believe this setup is going to be used for inventory management, maybe packing/shipping, as well as accounting. A SQL server is not required as far as I know, and they're not planning to run exchange.

 

[RebateMonger]

Gosh. I find your post a bit alarming.

If you've done this before, then who'd know better than you what to recommend? You didn't provide any details ("the details aren't that important"), so there's no way to know if your list is appropriate or not.

 

[bwatson283]

might want to ups the workstations also. Internet connections maybe. Cables. Coffee/Redbull. Desks, chairs, monitors.

Thought i might be "that" guy. 🙂

 

[JackMDS]

Can someone build a Nework using the devices that you listed?

Yes?

What is missing?

I Do not know, since you did not explained what you are planing to do, and what specific Network related functions this Network would be used to.

Hardware is Number three in Networks following Topology and Software.

 

[kevnich2]

As others have said, it seems your asking for advice but you don't give us any clue what this is for, what the dept requirements are, etc. Details are always important. If you don't want any advice, then don't post stuff like this? Way too vague

 

[Ns1]

Sorry, if it's vague then I think that's pretty good. Just wanted to know if there are any MAJOR and glaringly obvious I'm missing.

I've done this before, just not with such a large budget 🙂

I'm also not doing the dirty dirty work, as I'm outsourcing that work out. Thanks.

 

[spikespiegal]

Yeah, the external tape back-up. This is 2008, not 1996.

Use external drives and rotate them for off-site concerns. I spend 40% of my time trouble-shooting tape back up errors when I work with small businesses using SBS.

 

[kevnich2]

Actually, as far as the external tape drive, if it's something like an LTO drive, I see no issue with it. 90% of businesses I have seen use these as they are extremely high capacity, you can effectively rotate them with almost 1tb per disk. Using a hard drive has it's place but in business sense even today, I'd go with an LTO tape backup solution for offsite backup.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
Actually, as far as the external tape drive, if it's something like an LTO drive, I see no issue with it. 90% of businesses I have seen use these as they are extremely high capacity, you can effectively rotate them with almost 1tb per disk. Using a hard drive has it's place but in business sense even today, I'd go with an LTO tape backup solution for offsite backup.

It's an LTO-2 drive. We rotate 3 sets of 5 tapes on a daily basis. Not perfect but it works.

Hell, since you guys are so curious, here's the system we're recommending

- 5x HP Workstation XW4600, 20" Monitor, APC backup
- Juniper Networks SSG-5 Firewall
- SMC 24 port switch
- HP LaserJet 2015x


- APC Smart UPS 5000VA
- PV110 LTO-2L
- TRENDnet TK-407K KVM
- 2x PowerEdge 2900 (one file/app/data one terminal, or something to that effect (I don't set these up))

This network IMHO is WAY overkill for their needs, but should allow them to expand as a business without worrying too much about their network. The only think I may be missing is a WAP, but I believe the Firewall actually handles that too.

 

[spikespiegal]

Booted from tape lately guys, or are you running IBM AS400s?

Seriously, tape is a black hole when it comes to disaster recovery, and I've flagged so many data sets in back-up audits it's a joke.

"Our LTO can restore from bare metal"

...pull my finger.

The problem is; when it F-ups up, you need to call somebody to figure it out and decipher the error logs. With external drives, you can script a procedure, and the office idiot can usually figure it out because it's really just a logical drive.

Of course I realize that doesn't require an IT department, and we all know that's bad.

Also not sure why you need a dedicated box for TS when the typical duel core server can handle 50+ TS sessions by itself and still run a slew of background services.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: spikespiegal
Booted from tape lately guys, or are you running IBM AS400s?

Seriously, tape is a black hole when it comes to disaster recovery, and I've flagged so many data sets in back-up audits it's a joke.

The problem is; when it F-ups up, you need to call somebody to figure it out and decipher the error logs. With external drives, you can script a procedure, and the office idiot can usually figure it out because it's really just a logical drive.

Of course I realize that doesn't require an IT department, and we all know that's bad.

I personally haven't, but my boss (supposedly) has, so he says it's good. He actually recommends that to EVERYBODY, so the tape drive isn't really up for discussion.


Those servers (would also) be running raid5


And to be fair, our largest client is still running AS400 🙂