I REALLY NEED A PROFESSIONAL OPINION...

[Tray6996]

I'm thinking of opening my own network systems repair and maintenance business in the Indianapolis area. I need to gather some really basic information...

1.Can someone tell me what they think the most popular NOS's are running in the corporate network environment?

2.What makes of hardware are most popular in those environments?

Keep in mind that I plan to target small- to mid-size networks(anything that is too small for the company to warrant a full time Admin.)


Tray6996

 

[Russ]

Define "small to midsized".

If you're talking really small, say under twenty systems, the most prevalent NOS would be one of the Windows variants, with NT at the top of the list if it is a server/client net. But, many will not even be running a server/client network, but rather peer to peer with 95/98/Me. A few will have migrated to Win2K by now.

As a matter of fact, if the company doesn't have a SysAdmin, then this is likely to be the case even on larger networks.

As for equipment, Cisco is the most recognized name, but in the little company market, they're a hard sell because of cost. SMC makes good, solid equipment at prices that small businesses can swallow, as does Netgear, D-Link and Linksys.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Tray6996]

Russ,

Do you think it would be well-advised to brush up on 2000? what about XP? do you see that as a roleplayer in these small environments?


Tray6996

 

[Russ]

Absolutely learn Win2K. Of course, if you're already familiar with NT then you're most of the way there.

The biggest part of the little company market is going to be upgrading their systems and connectivity (both LAN and WAN), and the owners/managers/heads of these small businesses will invariable ask if they should migrate to 2000.

As for XP, like all MS products pre-release and new-release, I'm in wait and see mode.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Tray6996]

Thx for the direction, Russ.


Tray6996

 

[sandmanwake]

What about Extreme Networks as far as equipment goes? I know a friend of mine who use to work for Cisco doesn't like them, but my current company bought a lot of equipment from them recently and it's supposedly much cheaper than Cisco.

 

[Ameesh]

I would suggest learning about active directory (on win2k server) it will help you set up the most efficient, customizable windows network you can.

 

[Mill]

Got NOS?

 

[Russ]

sandmanwake,

I've never used their equipment, but a couple people I trust speak very highly of them. Pretty colors, too.

Russ, NCNE

 

[DaveJ]

Where I work all of our new switches are Extreme, we're in the process of converting our entire network from 3com. From talking with our network guys, I gather the Extreme stuff is very good, even better than 3com for the price, and miles better than Cisco. Our Cisco rep didn't know his a** from a hole in the ground...

If you're looking at small to midsize networks though, Extreme is probably overkill. For network cards in the machines, I'd stay away from Linksys. I've had too many problems with their NICs. I like D-Link and Netgear, Intel and 3com are also good if you want to spend more. You should probably spend some time studying network architecture and design to get a better idea of how it all fits together physically and at the OS level. If you're going to be running cable as well you'll need to know all the basics, i.e., Ethernet wiring standards, patch panels, etc.

Dave

 

[LordMaul]

<< I REALLY NEED A PROFESSIONAL OPINION... >>



Well...this may be hard to take...but you have Nefizitus. A advanced case, too.

Sucks to be you, eh?