Building a workplace for small business

[Tandrew]

Hi,
Currently I'm building a workplace for the small business I work for. We need 6 desktops, a network drive to write all our data to and a wireless router to connect to the internet.

I was thinking of buying 6 Dell Vostro 230s with Core 2 Duos and Windows Premium. They would connect wirelessly to a HP MediaSmart EX495 through a Linksys E3000.

Is there anything I'm missing to build this set up to write all data to the EX495? Is it worthwhile to get a Core i3 so I could potentially replace the CPU in the future?

Thanks!

 

[Fear No Evil]

I wouldn't recommend having desktops all hooked up by wireless unless its completely necessary. I also wouldn't make purchasing decisions based on 'upgrades' in the future. By the time you want to upgrade it would be easier to just buy a new cheap PC.

 

[Tandrew]

Good point, do you know if it's difficult to swap motherboards on Dells?

Also, if we were to get a wired router to run the server and desktops into we could still connect to the internet wirelessly correct?

Since we operate out of a home it's preferable that our internet connection remains wireless.

 

[Vic Vega]

What is your budget?

Typically for business needs a wired network and basic OEM PCs are standard operating procedure. I would stick with cheap, basic PCs from the big three (Dell, HP, Lenovo) and not worry about upgrades. For basic office work C2Ds are plenty.

For the networking components you can probably get away with a consumer level router/switch combination appliance but it will be difficult to scale additional users in the future because you will be taxing the device relatively hard out of the box.

 

[Tandrew]

It feels like a ridiculous question, but Windows Home should be able to use a networked drive right?

Our ideal budget is around 3,000 but it's fine if I go up to 5,000.

 

[Vic Vega]

You won't be able to attach to a Windows Domain but it doesn't sound like you're going that route. You will be able to share files between the PCs and a file server with a work group setup though.

 

[Harvey]

For the networking components you can probably get away with a consumer level router/switch combination appliance but it will be difficult to scale additional users in the future because you will be taxing the device relatively hard out of the box.

If you can afford it, a dedicated server would offload the networking work from the individual machines on the net.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you are buying PCs for a business, get a business version of Windows (Professional or Ultimate). It will suck to have to upgrade all the PCs later because they have the wrong version of Windows installed.

As noted, don't use WiFi in a business setting unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary. It's not as fast, it's not as reliable, and security risks are greater than with wired connections.

 

[RebateMonger]

Good point, do you know if it's difficult to swap motherboards on Dells?

It can be a BIG deal to swap motherboards on a Dell. Dells are generally a good deal, but only if you intend to use them with the as-issued motherboard.

 

[Murloc]

I'd never use wifi in a home setting, let alone in business.
It crashes, it's slow, it's prone to malfunctioning, it's hackerable from outside the office.

I agree with the fact that it's difficult to change motherboard on a dell computer, the case is so cramped.

 

[mfenn]

Good point, do you know if it's difficult to swap motherboards on Dells?

D😀😀: You're heading down the wrong path my friend. The ideal for a business machine is "fast enough," reliable, and supported.

Also, if we were to get a wired router to run the server and desktops into we could still connect to the internet wirelessly correct?

Since we operate out of a home it's preferable that our internet connection remains wireless.

That is possible, but probably not a good idea. You can wire a house (or a subset of a house) with less than $200 worth of materials. Use color-coded keystone jacks (they even make tool-less ones!) so that wiring them properly is dead-simple. Use factory-made patch cables and you don't even have to crimp a single RJ45. Monoprice is a good place to start, they have everything that you need except for the low-voltage old work brackets. Those are like $2 each at Lowe's or HD.

 

[vbuggy]

EX495 is a good choice but defo go gigabit wired as the throughput you'll need for backup will drag things out tremendously on wireless. iDrive can be loaded on the WHS in admin mode for remote backup.

Buy proper switches as well. Netgear's metal-boxed thingies at least. Even if it's for home business, all you need to do is to spend just that bit extra to avoid problems. Heck, even HP's entry switches aren't that expensive.

Why do you want to bother with changing motherboards on a work computer anyway 😕 Just get the 3-year onsite. And get Pro - 32 with 2Gb, if you're running regular line-of-business applications for basic use, or 64 with 4 if you're looking towards the future.

6 PC's qualifies for Volume License if I'mnot mistaken - I'd pick up Office Standard 2010.

I'd also get a Draytek, Netgear SRXN3205 or something like that instead of a top-of-heap consumer router (it may offer the most features, but it's still a consumer router and therefore will go down a lot in heavy multiuser use). The Netgear is only $260 at Newegg, and Drayteks come in at about the same price.

 

[RebateMonger]

I agree with the fact that it's difficult to change motherboard on a dell computer, the case is so cramped.

I was referring to past Dell practices:

a) Use of custom motherboard trays and non-standard motherboard screw locations
b) Use of a custom "cowling" over the CPU for cooling
c) Use of a custom cable running from the motherboard to a proprietary circuit that translates USB, power switch, and power light to the front panel

I haven't looked deeply into the current Dell business PCs, but be sure to double-check the specifics if you plan to modify a Dell.

 

[Syran]

Look at an HP ProCurve Switch 1810G-8 for your switch, its fairly inexpensive, supports 8 devices, and is a managed switch. The 1400-8G is also a good switch if you don't need anything managed (you probably don't, but I like having a little bit of management in my switches).

I'm not sure why you want to use a wireless internet connection, but if you have an old computer, you can convert it into a fairly powerful router on the cheap.

 

[piasabird]

Firewall and backup.

 

[Zap]

I'm not sure why you want to use a wireless internet connection

Let's see, it is a home office... the lady of the house probably doesn't want holes punched in her walls (wall plate or not) and wires running all over the place. Also, it potentially can be less labor intensive (if labor is charged by the hour).

Plus, for the uninformed, no wires = bitchin' technology! 😀

I haven't used wireless N yet (is that shit finalized yet?) but I have yet to encounter a wireless network that I've spent more than a couple hours on that was completely stable (sometimes due to external factors such as microwave ovens) and as fast as advertised from more than 20' away ("advertised" meaning 1/2 of the rated speed). Even the cheapest $15 10/100 switch will outperform a 54G network so badly that it isn't even funny.

 

[Tandrew]

Thanks for all the advice!

I won't worry about switching out motherboards and I'll adjust the budget for a quality switch.

We've had to put the system on hold for a few weeks but thanks so much everyone!

 

[theevilsharpie]

I was thinking of buying 6 Dell Vostro 230s with Core 2 Duos and Windows Premium. They would connect wirelessly to a HP MediaSmart EX495 through a Linksys E3000.

Since your project was delayed, I'll chime in with a quick recommendation.

Dell Vostro are flimsy machines with terrible build quality, but the price is unbeatable. Recommended.

Windows 7 Home Premium is fine for now. HomeGroups took a lot of the pain out sharing files and printers in a non-domain environment, and if you ever need to upgrade to Pro, it's easy to do so.

For six computers, wireless is okay, but I will echo one statement that's already been expressed: wireless is not nearly as reliable as a proper wired network. If at all possible, go wired, even if it's only a few machines plugged into the switch in your router. The less computers you have on the wireless network, the more stable it will be.

For a server, I don't really recommend a home NAS box. HP just released their ProLiant MicroServer, which is competitively-priced. Pair it with Windows 2008 R2 Foundation, and you've got a solid server for a small office.

Other things that you didn't cover:
- Printing
- Power distribution
- Backups
- Security
- Business software

With regards to software, since you're just starting out, you may want to take a look at SaaS solutions. The up-front cost will be much lower, and they'll probably be more reliable.

 

[vbuggy]

Since your project was delayed, I'll chime in with a quick recommendation.

Dell Vostro are flimsy machines with terrible build quality, but the price is unbeatable. Recommended.

Windows 7 Home Premium is fine for now. HomeGroups took a lot of the pain out sharing files and printers in a non-domain environment, and if you ever need to upgrade to Pro, it's easy to do so.

For six computers, wireless is okay, but I will echo one statement that's already been expressed: wireless is not nearly as reliable as a proper wired network. If at all possible, go wired, even if it's only a few machines plugged into the switch in your router. The less computers you have on the wireless network, the more stable it will be.

For a server, I don't really recommend a home NAS box. HP just released their ProLiant MicroServer, which is competitively-priced. Pair it with Windows 2008 R2 Foundation, and you've got a solid server for a small office.

Other things that you didn't cover:
- Printing
- Power distribution
- Backups
- Security
- Business software

With regards to software, since you're just starting out, you may want to take a look at SaaS solutions. The up-front cost will be much lower, and they'll probably be more reliable.

Somewhat outdated / needlessly 'I know enterprise' info IMO.

WHS is *the bomb* for small workgroups. It is hands off to a good degree, packs decent performance, has hassle free drive redundancy and capability to be used with third-party remote backup services.

Granted, the EX495 runs the current version of WHS and isn't upgradeable to the 64-bit version coming down the pike, but it is still a great home & SME workgroup server. The home users benefit more from the media features of course, but there's also plenty for the SME's.

Personally I'm an SBS guy if you're talking about a full small-business server, but that's because I like Exchange... but I know plenty of people are happy with Gmail. In this instance, WHS is the perfect SME server.

I take the opportunity to stick an HP X510 (the SME equivalent of the EX495 - there's not anything different, it's just the EX495 for people who don't buy from the consumer account managers) wherever I am for any length of time.

 

[Syran]

Let's see, it is a home office... the lady of the house probably doesn't want holes punched in her walls (wall plate or not) and wires running all over the place. Also, it potentially can be less labor intensive (if labor is charged by the hour).

Plus, for the uninformed, no wires = bitchin' technology! 😀

I haven't used wireless N yet (is that shit finalized yet?) but I have yet to encounter a wireless network that I've spent more than a couple hours on that was completely stable (sometimes due to external factors such as microwave ovens) and as fast as advertised from more than 20' away ("advertised" meaning 1/2 of the rated speed). Even the cheapest $15 10/100 switch will outperform a 54G network so badly that it isn't even funny.

Actually, what confused me was he was talking about using a wired router to run the server and desktops, and connecting to the internet wirelessly...

Good point, do you know if it's difficult to swap motherboards on Dells?

Also, if we were to get a wired router to run the server and desktops into we could still connect to the internet wirelessly correct?

Since we operate out of a home it's preferable that our internet connection remains wireless.

I guess my question is this. Are you connecting to the internet via some form of metro-wifi, local wifi, or is the internet connection not able to be in the same room as all of the computers? Do you have to use a 3G/4G connection provided by a wireless provider?

I might be the only one confused by that, but just seems weird to have a cabled network, yet the internet be wireless...

 

[Zap]

Actually, what confused me was he was talking about using a wired router to run the server and desktops, and connecting to the internet wirelessly...

That is interesting. As long as the desktops are all hardwired together in one room, maybe use a wireless bridge or wireless AP client to connect the whole network to the wireless internet (assuming wireless router elsewhere in the building). It still isn't foolproof but at least the LAN won't go down at intervals. 😵

Alternately, use a wireless card in one of the computers...