 | Home > Off Topic > Anyone know about Servers? |
 
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| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044   
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Having had a couple of computer issues recently (both pc an mac)
 I thought an office server might be a good idea, anyone have any suggestions for supplier and spec?
I have three workstations (2x Pc 1 x iMac - plus a couple of odd laptops/ipads and with a max of 4 users.) I understand the data can be raid mirrored on two or more hard drives on a server and all pc's macs utilise it. We have multi user accounts/website/payroll packages so it sort of makes sense to replace the peer to peer network with something more stable. Also I have been told that I can run some of my main programs on the server as well (not ideal I guess) but that means that critical programs/settings can be mirrored as well which will mean a bit of stability in case of a hard drive failure and save reinstalling software if a drive fails. Now we all have to submit stuff to HMRC online its handy to have that setup and reliable. I have been in touch with Dell who supplied my workstations back in 2005 (they are still going strong amazingly ) they have suggested a 2 x 1TB drive tower server with Windows 2012 essentials server software, hardware raid card, dvdrw, intel xeon, 8gb ram, with 24/7 3 year on site - all for £890 plus vat . That sounded like a reasonable starter system with future upgrade potential? Any views would be useful (not too in depth though as I'm new to it) I'm not really into making my own or cobbling together a selection of bits so bear that in mind . Cheers DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
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1st Aug 2013 5:23pm |
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| couplands Member Since: 31 Aug 2011 Location: Peak District & Cornwall Posts: 1826  
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+1
If you want a hobby, do it yourself, but if you want to run a business and not lose important information or cock up invoicing/payroll/sales then ask a local IT company to run it for you....or these days they can provide IT as a service and you don't even need to have the hardware on site. Cheers Simon |
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1st Aug 2013 8:05pm |
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| Nick-St Member Since: 23 Apr 2013 Location: Surrey Posts: 267 
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I'd agree with the other posts, but also point out that the Dell warranty will cover the hardware only... If the fix involves replacing hard disks, then they'll happily leave you with empty drives without your data on them...
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1st Aug 2013 8:19pm |
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| couplands Member Since: 31 Aug 2011 Location: Peak District & Cornwall Posts: 1826
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Just another thought, you seem to have a variety of client devices, PCs, Macs, iPad(?) etc. This makes the IT more complicated. The way to reduce cost is to standardise, so again worth getting an IT firm in to assess your needs and specify a simple, efficient, scalable system or service that will support and grow with your business.
Cheers Simon |
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1st Aug 2013 8:32pm |
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| excossack Member Since: 22 Feb 2012 Location: North West Posts: 5850 
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When we deploy servers in work (All HP hardware) we normally spec a server as follows
C: OS - Split over two drives say 2 x 72 or 2 x 146gb D: Data E: Apps D: and E either over 2 discs per drive letter or 2 discs split up for D and E Dual PSU along with a suitable UPS Along with the server, we also deploy backup software installed locally with a tape drive matched the max size of the server (where applicable) or backups are done to a remote device such as NAS / SAN Regular backups taken (and taken off site and not left on top of the server), AV updates scans setup for out of hours and scheduled reboots again out of hours. Windows updates are performed but not as soon as the patches are out just in case, sometimes a week later. If lots of patches are needed, then we do them in chunks. As udderlyoffroad suggested there are things like logon scripts, data areas secured using suitable permissions and whole other host of stuff to be considered such as what data would the server hold, what would happen if the server got nicked etc. 1999 Defender TD5 110 Regards John M0VAZ Econet Station 48 no clock |
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1st Aug 2013 9:56pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069 
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hi DJ
you should have mentioned it last night... we could have discussed options, I'll give you a call later. |
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2nd Aug 2013 6:15am |
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| discocuzzy Member Since: 16 Jul 2008 Location: surrey Posts: 1200
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Same with everyone so you will need to back up your data and re mount to the replacement drives. Personally i would go to Rackspace, go daddy, or fast host and get it provided for you. They will support all the hardware and manage your applications should you so wish......and ive sold Rackspace over 10,000 servers in the last 5 years, all Dell  You cannot teach stupid people to do clever things |
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5th Aug 2013 11:42am |
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| scotty38 Member Since: 21 May 2011 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 571 
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Do you work for Dell? |
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14th Aug 2013 2:49pm |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2665
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I would (assuming you want a business issue solved, and don't want to be a hobbyist) find a good local reseller, someone who will supply the kit, and also install it, set it up, and hold your hand a bit as well. They'll be able to supply any packages you need (accounting for instance) as well. Maybe you'll also need a bit of cabling, a hub, etc.
You may pay 10-20% more that way, but you'll get a safe pair of hands to help when the sh*t hits the fan. I do work for a computer company (a rather large one, better than Dell  ), and I agree with the points above by excossack, couplands & Nick.
There are some really good resellers out there (I used to work for a family-run one called Dacoll http://www.dacoll.com/ - not a recommendation, just an example...) who will really help you out, be grateful for the business, and try & develop a long-term relationship with you... Dell's in a bit of flux at the moment, (watch the news), you may be better with Mac, or as mentioned above by excossack, HP... Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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14th Aug 2013 3:22pm |
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| Sphere Member Since: 26 Apr 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 725 
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Don't know anything about them but have one which is 18month old now redundent sitting at home. I used if for accounts and web information as I run a small web based company. It has now been superseded but still sitting there.
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14th Aug 2013 4:04pm |
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| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044
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Thanks for the replies guys.
I want to just use the kit not mess with it so a local setup merchant is probably the best way to go I think. Dell managed to talk themselves out of an order as one guy (server expert overseas apparently) specced me up with something which on closer inspection had a software element missing (the ability to run a virtual machine built in) and another sales guy (in Ireland by the sound of it, explained why the original spec wouldn't do what I wanted with out going up to nearly 3k ) and suggested that a really decent workstation with a raid setup (and backup raid) would do everything I wanted for around 1k. So they had a bit of a fall out by all accounts and I was left none the wiser !
So I'm planning to engage someone local and pay the extra. I don't care what name is on the box as long as its warranted and works. It doesn't sound like I actually need a server really, just a better machine with a more reliable backup (and backup of the backup) and I can continue to use my peer to peer network which I know works well and everyones understands it and the programmes that we run. One thing I have discovered is that Iomega are a bunch of duffers nowadays, my raid backup had a hiccup and something was wrong with one of the drives, their support guys said via online support chat that the drive was faulty and they would replace it. This eventually turned into we won't help you now unless you pay us 40euros plus vat to tell you anything else (even what drive to buy and where from !) Turns out the warranty ran out during our week long conversation back and forth. Even more annoying is the fact that after checking my backup (of the backup) was secure I remounted (think thats the term) the drives and everything is hunky dory now! so a whole waste of time. So all good fun. DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
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14th Aug 2013 4:25pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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hi Dave
you have a pm |
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14th Aug 2013 4:55pm |
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