Creating an Office Server
 

I've tried Google and I can't really find what I'm looking for.

Background:
So I started this new job in a small accounting firm. We have 3 ppl in total, including me. The office already has a server. However, this server is shared with a former partner. Therefore, we have effectively 2 separate companies sharing the office and the server. Even though we highly doubt there will be security issues, it is still good practice to keep client's info physically separate. This is why we need a new server set up.

Problem:
For some strange reason I was asked to find out how to build a new server. My computer knowledge is alright at best. I have done some research on Google but I can't seem to find exactly what I need. There is no tech guy in the office so if something goes wrong we have to call someone in. It is highly unlikely that we will have more than 5 ppl in the foreseeable future.

My understanding is that I need
a) a computer with a big harddrive (i dunno what OS to run)
b) router
c) cables to connect to all the computers

Like I mentioned earlier, even though security is not really an issue, it will still be important to setup good security measures just in case someone file a lawsuit against us. Also, we would like to be able to share calendars (thru outlook I believe) in order to schedule meetings.

Questions:
1) Do you guys think it's do-able or is it gonna be a complete nightmare?
2) What is the approxmate cost of building such system, excluding labour (a 2-4 TB storage should be sufficient)?
3) How much time will it take to start from scratch?
4) How much work is needed to maintain a server (hours/month)?

I mean if it's gonna be hell then I'm just gonna tell the boss that I can't do it.

Sorry for the long read.

Do you just need a server for storage or other things? If it's just for storage, look into a NAS (network attached storage) solution.

ygpm

LINUX SAMBA LINUX SAMBA!

This will be the lowest cost and most reliable system for you. If anyone tells you different its because they are n00b sysadmins.

Pretty much. Another thing we need is to be able to look @ each other's calendar in order to schedule meetings. Other than that, that's pretty much it. We dun need to block out websites or monitor wut ppl have been surfing. Besides, I wouldnt want my boss know the time I spend on RS :D

Thanks for ur offer. I really appreciate it.

Is it easy to set-up and maintain?

yeah man - no worries - this was also one of the features i set up for them...

just get a NAS.... and you can use google app for calendar, contact, emails

i have the hp windows media smart server.. i was sorta against it at first.. but i now use it alot.. and even my ps3 is heavily using it. but asides from storage.. it has alot of cool functions like

- automated backups with computers on the network,
- user privileges and accounts
- remote access (built in feature and has a nice interface)..
- giga connection

it has 4 drive bays and i have 3 TB... max capacity is 16 TB.

i bought it on sale a while back for $250 with 1TB.. which was a real good deal..

http://www.hp.com/united-states/camp..._ex490_495.pdf

It says 1 Drive Bay and 4 USB ports, are you using external HDs?

Sounds like pretty simple requirements... it's not like you need to set up a Windows Domain Controller and use active directory or anything... really just file sharing.

Buy a computer with a dedicated RAID controller with 2x 1TB drives in RAID1 configuration. This gives you protection in case one drive dies.

Install whichever version of Windows you want... and just create a folder to be shared on the network, and everyone can dump files into there. You can put all the Outlook Free/Busy files in there too.

why bother when all he need is a NAS?

i have the EX series.
it has 4 drive bays..

futureshop/ staples / bestbuy use to carry them and i got it from there.. looks like they dont carry it anymore..

http://www.hp.com/united-states/camp...er/#/EXSeries/

You're telling the OP to move from an existing infrastructure (Outlook) to a brand new one (Google Apps) without the ability to carry over existing data. I don't think his boss will like that.

Also, from a security standpoint, as good as Google is, I don't like the possibility that Google can harvest his company's internal and client information, afterall, you are suggesting that they should use an online service to collaborate.

Get a tower with RAID for redundancy and run Windows SBS.

Hmmm, sounds like there are existing servers on the market. That would be better since I really dun wanna be responsible if something does break down.

Like InvisibleSoul said, the requirements are sorta simple. The HP oldsnail got is for home server so I assume security level is not high. I'm just worried that if someone does sue us, they can argue that we have not taken reasonable care in protecting their info yada yada yada. So I then look at the Dell ones. However, anything that has the word "business" in it is over a grand.

I'm wondering is the "business" ones really that much more superior or is it because they know we can claim expense so they just charge more? Also, is it possible to boost up security in a home server to make it "business class"?

google does have the ability to carry over existing data

and here are just a small list of corporate using google app as their backend
http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/b...customers.html

and I don't see how the OP is using exchange service for email. there is simply no need for exchange in a small business environment. he's just using outlook as an email program.

the only point of getting a "server" is to have active directory and exchange as the most primary function. which he does not need to have.
all he need is storage shared between other colleagues, which a capable NAS could do with minimal power usage + management

its funny how people keep recommending him a windows server or better yet... a home server that is design for media collection
LOL

Yes, it is home server.. you can view a demo on their website.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...rver/demo.mspx

When you get into 'windows 2003 server/ 2007 server... just the licensing will cost you at least $600, the rest is hardware.. what you also introduce here is active directory and a local domain allowing workstations on the network to logon to the same domain. If you go this route.. all the workstations will have to run win xp pro/ vista business +/ w7 prem + for advance networking features.

security wise.. internet is always a risk.. having a strong network backbone and regular backups are important aspects in any business

the cheapest method will be,.. just get a desktop with a motherboard that support RAID, if not get a raid controller , running MIRROR RAID set with a basic xp pro / linux.. this can achieve basic file sharing with redundancy.. you probably don't even need a monitor and just use remote desktop ...