Do I need Server 2003/2007?

[MainFramed]

I am pretty good with computers, i can build websites do flash and shiz but hardware isn't really my thing. I am setting up an office for my construction company and i want to save $$$ from hiring an IT guy. Do i really need a windows server OS?

Here's really what i want to do.

Remotely connect to 4 workstations.

Have a drive on the "server" (or main computer) that can be shared on the network.

All help greatly appreciated!

 

[loup garou]

Windows Home Server, one of the few MS consumer products I'd recommend for small businesses. Does what you want, plus centralized backup. Only concern of mine would be if you anticipate reaching the limit of 10 users/client computers.

....man, I feel like a commercial for it lately.

 

[MiniDoom]

no, you don't need server. XP or Vista will support up to 10 connections. Just set a static ip on the server and share the drive. connect to it by \\server\share or http://server

 

[Spicedaddy]

Remotely connect to 4 workstations.

That depends on the OS installed on the workstations. You need XP Professional or Vista Business (or Ultimate). XP Home and Vista Home Premium don't have Remote Desktop built in...

Have a drive on the "server" (or main computer) that can be shared on the network.

Any version of XP or Vista will do file sharing. (limited to 10 concurrent connections)


Bottom line: you really don't need a server OS.

 

[MainFramed]

Originally posted by: Spicedaddy

Remotely connect to 4 workstations.

That depends on the OS installed on the workstations. You need XP Professional or Vista Business (or Ultimate). XP Home and Vista Home Premium don't have Remote Desktop built in...

Bottom line: you really don't need a server OS.

Thanks a ton

In order to remotely connect to all four of those computers from outside the office (network) will i need static ips? how will i be able to do that...?

 

[RebateMonger]

The only "non-server" solution I'd recommend is Windows Home Server. It no longer makes sense to use a Vista or XP computer as a "server" when you can buy Windows Home Server software for $150, or an entire pre-configured HP server for $550.

WHS will automatically handle remote access for you using some free Microsoft dynamic DNS services. The automated PC backups are wonderful and can save a ton of money in PC recovery costs in case of malware infections, accidental deletions/overwrites, and hard drive failures.

No matter what server you end up with, be sure to set up an ongoing offsite backup of some sort for critical data. While Windows Home Server has an option for redundant drives, I wouldn't trust ANY single drive or array for my only copy of important data. Power Pack One for WHS has an option to make backups of the data shares onto USB drives. I'd use that and rotate USB drives so that at least one backup is always offsite.