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network setup suggestion

X

xenocyd3

Banned
Can someone give me a setup for a network?


Going to be setting up a network in Vietnam for a university. Got a dual opteron server ready for students to store files and use as a web server.


I'm going to be hooking up around 250 users.

 
Wow. Quickest solution for you would be to purchase MS Small Business Server and go from there. I had a friend purchase the server, software and support from dell. Dell walked the guy through everything and supported it.

Good Luck!
-JC
 
Originally posted by: sep
Wow. Quickest solution for you would be to purchase MS Small Business Server and go from there. I had a friend purchase the server, software and support from dell. Dell walked the guy through everything and supported it.

Good Luck!
-JC
Click to expand...

I thought MS SBS only allowed a 50 user maximum...am I wrong?
 
SBS 2003, basically, allows 75 simultaneous authenticated connections. You could have 75 users that can connect from any device, or 75 devices that could have multiple users at different times. Having 250 computers connected to SBS would almost certainly result in licensing violations, even if technically possible (depending on computer usage).

The easiest and fastest way to set up such a server is, no doubt, to install Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2003. It's pretty painless to set up. Use Windows SharePoint Services ("SharePoint", included free with Server 2003) for quick web sites and shared workspaces. Use Exchange and Outlook for shared email, calendars, contacts, and tasks.

But if you have to ask this question, you should probably hire a consultant to design the network, help you set it up for you, and manage it. He can do that remotely from anywhere in the world.
 
They'll probably want keyboard support for Vietnamese, too. I know that Windows can do it. Not sure how the various Linux distirbutions handle itt.
 
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
But if you have to ask this question, you should probably hire a consultant to design the network, help you set it up for you, and manage it. He can do that remotely from anywhere in the world.
Click to expand...

Ya, I would agree.

Setting up the network is only the first step. You have to know what to do when things go wrong. With 250 users, downtime can be very costly.
 
Lots of things to consider. How will you provide E-Mail Support? Will they all use outside E-Mail or do you plan on using an E-Mail Server? Vietnam may have its own operating system for all I know. You have to know more about topology. You really need to separate the Staff from the Students. It this all in one building or in separate buildings? If it is in separate buildings you may need fiber interconnects. Hopefully it is all one building but that may not be the case. Will the students have an Internet Server? Will there be a Database system to connect to the internet?

I work at a college and we have a fairly complex setup.
We run Novell Netware that provides network security.
We have a print server.
We have a Web-CT Server
We have a Report Server MS SERVER
We have a Student System Server (Production) MS SERVER
We have a Student System Test Server (Development) MS SERVER
We have fiber relay between buildings
We have a Separate Lotus Notes Server
We have multiple file servers, but one really big one.
We have 2 managed 24 port switches. (Gigabit)
Each connected classroom is on a subnet (switch or some other network interface)

One hard part is to get everything to connnect and handle the traffic. You have to have Gigabit Ethernet at the bottle necks.

You need to know information like How many computer workstations there are and where they are, and if all of them need to access the Internet. Then you need to start making some kind of diagram.

We often use a Conslultant to help us.

We also have Wireless in some places, both secure to the LAN and Unsecure to the internet on a separatesubnet.
Then we installed an IP Phone System.
Then they wanted the Phone system to do the phone messages to interface with the E-Mail for Audio messages. This is a real Hassle. Somewhere along the way we also installed a FAX server which was another big hassle.

 
Originally posted by: piasabird
Lots of things to consider. How will you provide E-Mail Support? Will they all use outside E-Mail or do you plan on using an E-Mail Server? Vietnam may have its own operating system for all I know. You have to know more about topology. You really need to separate the Staff from the Students. It this all in one building or in separate buildings? If it is in separate buildings you may need fiber interconnects. Hopefully it is all one building but that may not be the case. Will the students have an Internet Server? Will there be a Database system to connect to the internet?

I work at a college and we have a fairly complex setup.
We run Novell Netware that provides network security.
We have a print server.
We have a Web-CT Server
We have a Report Server MS SERVER
We have a Student System Server (Production) MS SERVER
We have a Student System Test Server (Development) MS SERVER
We have fiber relay between buildings
We have a Separate Lotus Notes Server
We have multiple file servers, but one really big one.
We have 2 managed 24 port switches. (Gigabit)
Each connected classroom is on a subnet (switch or some other network interface)

One hard part is to get everything to connnect and handle the traffic. You have to have Gigabit Ethernet at the bottle necks.

You need to know information like How many computer workstations there are and where they are, and if all of them need to access the Internet. Then you need to start making some kind of diagram.

We often use a Conslultant to help us.

We also have Wireless in some places, both secure to the LAN and Unsecure to the internet on a separatesubnet.
Then we installed an IP Phone System.
Then they wanted the Phone system to do the phone messages to interface with the E-Mail for Audio messages. This is a real Hassle. Somewhere along the way we also installed a FAX server which was another big hassle.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the noob question. For something like this, would you usually turn off DHCP server and static route everything?
 
Should I get the device or user license?


I'm kind of confused about how the CALs work but I have a feeling I should get the device license.
 
Originally posted by: xenocyd3
Should I get the device or user license?
Click to expand...
The best licensing mode depends on the way the system will be used. More computers than users? Or more users than computers?

So far, the only fact you've given us about this network is "200-250 users".
 
I think you're going about this wrong. A "network" is a large and complex thing that has to be highly tailored to the needs of the customer.

What you've told us is that they need a network. What does this mean? In order to properly design something, you need to find out what they really want.

e-mail? Access to e-mail from the Internet? Spam filtering? Internet access? Proxy server? VPN? Full firewall? Hosting a website? Wireless access for users? How many buildings? What is the physical layout of each building? Is there Cat5 run now or do you need to run it? One file server or several? How about backups? Who will run it once it's in place? Any Macs or just Windows? Any special apps or communication needs? What kind of local expertise is there if they need more assistance?

Steps you need to consider.

1: Ask what they want to do at a high level.
2: Decide if you're qualified to do the job. If not, gracefully bow out.
3: If you are, spend quite a bit of time determining what they really need and can affortd, not necessarily just what they want.
4: Keeping the budget in mind, create a design to do the most you can for the $$ while paying attention to quality and supportability.
5: Propose the design to the customer, getting their buy-off
6: Order the gear, install it, test it and DOCUMENT IT.
7: Make sure that it works for them and that they know how to support it as best they can.

Remember the guiding principle: Keep it simple and supportable. If they have staff that knows Windows, don't give them Linux, and vice-versa.

- G
 
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