Building a small network

[todpod]

I work with transitioning young adults out of the foster care system. We are currently building a 6 unit building to house some of these kids while they transition. We are having the building wired and need to setup a network.
2 major considerations is that I will have a very small budget to do this if any and most of the computers will be older hand me downs. The computers will probably be running Linux (Ubuntu). Our it staff is not going to touch this project, mainly because they don't have the time, They have 2 people in 3 buildings scattered over town.

All 6 apartments will be wired as well as a office and and the common are for a little lab (2-4 computers). I don't necessarily want to block access to any websites but would like to be able to monitor usage to make sure these kids aren't doing anything stupid.

We do have a local university with a CS Department, I am going to talk to my director about having an intern or 2 of help setup and manage this.

Any thoughts or suggestions, Thanks Todd

 

[Jimmah]

How small of a budget? I'm a big fan of the MikroTik products, at work we've been replacing older craptastic Cisco gear with Routerboard 1100's (now 1200's) for our clients, haven't had any problems yet and they're really easy to use/setup.

Aside from that, if your budget is ultra thin maybe setup a Pfsense box or something and add a 16/24 port switch. Theere are many other options out there these are just easiest IMO.

 

[Lemon law]

To Todpod,

I am no expert here, but when you talk 10 plus users, you are beyond talking a small network that can use prosumer class routers. Then with your class of users, you better have some network it policies in place, or you are asking for future troubles. Preventing problems is always better than dealing with problems after the fact.

 

[todpod]

Thanks for the advice, just now thinking about this. Not sure about budget but I sure it will be tight because we are spending all our money on the building. They network is mainly going to be the Internet with printer or to attached. I am not sure that we will even hook up most of the rooms but we will have them wired. Maybe start with the main 4 computers then expand out from there as needed. The kids will have to provide there own computers for there rooms.