network setup tips needed.

Hey all...

My father's office has a network that I've set up like more than ten years ago. They've been having a lot of problem with it lately so i suggested that we upgrade the network.

thing is, i hardly remember how I setup that network in first place =p and i'm sure there are more new advanced things nowadays.

here is the current setup:

a scsi server running windows nt with all the company's data and programs on it.
a printer connected to the server.
a hub is used to connect the server with all workstations (running win 95 and xp).
work stations have company's programs installed on them (i don't know about the software part as its being done by another company, i will check how they're working, but i assume each workstation has the software on it and the actual data used in the program is stored on the server).

what i'm thinking about doing

i'm thinking about canceling the whole server as i think there is no point of having it running 24/7 in a closed place underground used as a warehouse (i'm afraid of fire). i don't know, but i'm almost certain that such a device exists... i think dlink used to make them dunno if they still do. its basicly some unit with USB on it that can have usb memory sticks or hard drives connected to it. this unit is then connected to the network and used as storage. so i'm thinking we can have to memory sticks or usb harddrives (like WD passport) connected to it. one stores the data, and the second acts as a backup incase one fails.

instead of using the wired network, and I know some of the people in the office been having problems with the cables, i'm thinking it would be easier if we just get wireless connections for their desktops.

printer will also use a wireless print server thing.

the workstations are too old and too slow. so they need to be upgraded too. so i'm thinking about making the cheapest and smallest workstation. i wont worry about the display since all of the old Pentium desktops we have already got lcd displays few weeks ago. so i'm thinking about building pcs without optical drives, floppy drives, and anything unnecessary (like built in to mobo sound and other stuff). so what such mother board do you recommend?

please give me ur suggestions and recommendations.


UPDATE:

OK, For the workstations, I found this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121342
will it do for windows xp and work ms office?

 

I like the idea to go wireless. I have found when going into offices and setting up a network that, at times, it is too difficult to run cable through the ceiling/walls. It would cause more destruction than progress. I, however, still like the server idea. If not for programs, then leave it for back up files. If you decide or find out, that each program (full app + resource data) is installed on each workstation because it suites the company best, then so be it. But, you never know when one will decide to quit. A backup will make life easier as you can then just pop in a new drive or just format with your premade iso and are all set with a backup of pertinent user files. If the programs are database run, then the server would be key (but it doesn't sound like it is). Hope to help and good luck with your feat. I am not a guru, so I have only weighed in on the topics I felt I could discuss with some background.

 

Thanks for the reply.

ask I was looking for the hardware I might use I reconsidered the use of wireless network. While it would be more practical to have wireless network in the workplace, the workers will probably find it hard to learn new things and I just dont want them to waste more time on trying to connect to a wireless network every morning they start their work ( a problem I usually have here at home). So I'm sticking with the current cables. In fact, I am willing to rewire it all over again if its needed.

as for the hardware, and i really need some input about them...

First, I'm thinking about replacing the server with one network storage which will contain two HDDs (mirror, so we always have backup).
for this i found the D-Link DNS-323 2-Bay Network Storage Enclosure . But will this work as server replacement? what do I need to ask the company providing us with the software to insure that?

as I've mentioned earlier... I found Intel atom motherboad Intel BOXD945GCLF Intel Atom processor 230 Intel 945GC Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo which seems like a good thing, but i never tried it... will it be reliable? the specs seems low, but this is going to replace the intel Pentium... so it is an upgrade, right?

hmm..

 

What cabling do you have installed? If it is Cat 5 or (horror - token ring!), you might want to replace it with at least Cat 5e. Replacing it should be fairly easy - splice/tape end to end and pull through, and hopefully limited drop ceiling access required.

Are you planning on replacing the operating system as well as the hardware in the client machines? Driver support for anything prior to XP might be tricky, so keep that in mind.

Before buying any hardware, sit down with your software supplier and find out what they recommend. That simple task can save you days of agony.

 

I think what you want is called "network attached storage", and it is basically a mini-server. There are several different models on the market, ranging from a small WesternDigital box that contains 2 drives and its own processor and OS, to enclosures that you can buy and add your own drives to. They have ethernet ports, integrated software, multiple hard drives that can operate in various RAID schemes.