Cheap Office Network

**DavidJenkins** · 31st January 2006, 09:17 PM

Hi guys,

Got a new job. I don't know alot about computer networking in offices etc but my boss is looking to invest in one of about 40 computers and servers to power them oh and a big bad ass plasma screen to hook into it. how much do you think this can be acheived for and where would be a good place to look... the so called network engineer sucks and has less of clue than i do!!

cheers for any help and advice you can give.

dave

**RFH Customer: Ourpcman** · 31st January 2006, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by DavidJenkins

Hi guys,

Got a new job. I don't know alot about computer networking in offices etc but my boss is looking to invest in one of about 40 computers and servers to power them oh and a big bad ass plasma screen to hook into it. how much do you think this can be acheived for and where would be a good place to look... the so called network engineer sucks and has less of clue than i do!!

cheers for any help and advice you can give.

dave

Get a proper networking company in (or several, preferably at least 3) to give you a quote!
There are too many variables to give you an answer here. Could easily be several hundred grand.
Network engineers are NOT (usually) network designers/installers.

**RFH Reseller: nick** · 31st January 2006, 09:42 PM

What kind of stuff will you want to run on the network, are their existing components you need to integrate with - LDAP/Active Directory servers or anything like that?

**CS New Media** · 31st January 2006, 10:15 PM

40 machines & servers is a very big network.

The 'Network Manager' is exactually that the Network Manager is and should be planning the network, getting quotes for cabling, servers, machines. If he's not up for the job they need to look for a new Network Manager. I am sure it is in his Job Description.

Don't forgot all network cabling has to be seperate from power cables under legal regulations.

Other things to consider:

UPS - Backup power for the servers
Backup Procedures - you need a proper backup routine in place, off-site backups etc.

**RFH Reseller: nick** · 31st January 2006, 10:24 PM

Well I could give you some good pointers if you wanted to set up a network using apple servers, of course you can manage windows pc and mac clients under it. You might be surprised by how easy it is not to go down the windows route.</advert>

**CS New Media** · 31st January 2006, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by nick

Well I could give you some good pointers if you wanted to set up a network using apple servers, of course you can manage windows pc and mac clients under it. You might be surprised by how easy it is not to go down the windows route.</advert>

You won't get many businesses using Apple as there servers unless they are a design/media company - and have a huge amount of cash

You could also down the Linux Server root and XP Pro on the clients, saves on the Server CALS

**RFH Reseller: nick** · 31st January 2006, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by CS New Media

You won't get many businesses using Apple as there servers unless they are a design/media company - and have a huge amount of cash

You could also down the Linux Server root and XP Pro on the clients, saves on the Server CALS

I have experience of the setup and running costs of some large apple networks and you may be very shocked at the cost efficiency. For instance over 4000 mac clients spread over 35 different locations managed by two technicians, and they have a lot of free time. I cannot begin to imagine the costs and staff needed for a similarly sized PC network.. well saying that, I can and it is a lot lot more. I haven't even started on the microsoft per-client liscense fees.

**RFH Customer: Ourpcman** · 1st February 2006, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by CS New Media

The 'Network Manager' is exactually that the Network Manager is and should be planning the network, getting quotes for cabling, servers, machines. If he's not up for the job they need to look for a new Network Manager. I am sure it is in his Job Description.

He said "network engineer", not the same thing at all!

They could get in a Network Manager on a short-term contract or as a consultant?

**RFH Customer: Jon Freeman** · 1st February 2006, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by nick

I haven't even started on the microsoft per-client liscense fees.

So out of curiosity (and re networking, my own home network, one of 4 PCs is as far as I run!) what are the thoughts on Linux clients? I'd guess there may be software needed, eg. photosohop (the gimp does me btw) for some people that I don't think you can do but general office software such as Open Office seems pretty capable, KDE and Gnome are very easy to use, etc.

What do Mac servers offer over PCs running a Unix type O/S? As far as I understand things, the Mac O/S is largely BSD in that area?

Not trying to be argumentitave here or pretend I would know where to start with a large netgwork.

**RFH Reseller: nick** · 1st February 2006, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jon Freeman

So out of curiosity (and re networking, my own home network, one of 4 PCs is as far as I run!) what are the thoughts on Linux clients? I'd guess there may be software needed, eg. photosohop (the gimp does me btw) for some people that I don't think you can do but general office software such as Open Office seems pretty capable, KDE and Gnome are very easy to use, etc.

What do Mac servers offer over PCs running a Unix type O/S? As far as I understand things, the Mac O/S is largely BSD in that area?

Not trying to be argumentitave here or pretend I would know where to start with a large netgwork.

Yeah, deep down the mac has a core o/s services technology called Mach 3.0, and this indeed is based on BSD.
The main thing running a mac server offers has got to be ease of setup and maintainance, most things just happen with no more effort involved than the press of a gui button.