Setting up a small business network?

Question

Okay, so I have no real experience with setting up networks and need to set one up for a small business. I am very tech/PC savvy though, so dont worry about using technical terms etc.

Basically we have three PCs two of which are used for accounts and one for CAD work and we need the 'my documents' folder to become a common folder for all three PCs so that any file saved or created will be immediately accesible by all three PCs directly. We tried using a 'shared folder' on the network, but its not very conveniant.

Ideally this setup would involve a network server that acts as the primary storage system for which all three PCs share their files in one place at any time regardless of whether the other two PCs are turned off or not. It would also act as a backup for all of our files and ideally be accesible through the internet (guarded by username and password) so we can access all of the files from anywhere on any computer if needed.

If someone could tell me what I need to get and what to do that would be brilliant!

Thanks in advance.
Joe Harrison

Answer 1

I'm a small business owner as well. I use SOS Online Backup they are the best I have used personally ( i have had bad experience with other companies) here is the number if interested: 877-224-9264

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Here is the basic setup. You can expand it as needed



Find a P4 class (or better) computer on Craigs list or drag an old machine out of a closet

Make sure the comp has a reasonable amount of RAM. You want at least 2GB in the box. Add RAM if required

Depending on the age of the box, you may want to use the existing hard drive or purchase new ones. You will want a minimum of two hard drives with at least 500 GB of space



Now go on the web and go here

http://www.freenas.org/

This is a complete small business Network Attached Storage system, based on BSD

The best part is it works great.

I have had 2 installs running for over 6 months.

Not a hiccup



Download the .iso file and burn an install CD from it

Now install the OS on a 50 GB partition (the tools to create the partitions are on the install CD)

Connect the new comp to your network

access the new comp using the web based interface for the FreeNAS system



The web is loaded with tutorials that walk you through setting up your server

Here is a basic one to get you started

http://www.howtoforge.com/network_attached_storage_with_freenas



Using the Web based interface, you will be able to set up your shares, you directories, setup access controls and permissions, create automatic backups, and configure software RAID arrays (though you will need to add hard drive controllers and hard drives to use RAID)

FreeNAS also includes a whole slate of tools that you need in a small business, as you expand the capabilities of your network



Good Luck

Answer 3

The objective with SBS is that that's put in on a server computing device with 2 community enjoying cards. One community card is hooked as much as the internet, the different on your inner community. (Configuring a community like this makes it very easy to establish and handle, all you desire are computers, a swap and residing house windows skills; you do no longer might desire to become in touch contained in the clientele community connection setup.) It seems such as you have partly configured your server like the above description and partly as a extra commonly used server only sitting interior a community. if it somewhat is the case, you will possibly be able to desire to disable each and all of the facilities like DNS and DCHP that are being offered by way of your element router.