Re: Small business thinking about backing up data, having a server and 2-3 users - is SBS2003 right for them?
- From: "SuperGumby [SBS MVP]" <not@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2006 13:21:57 +1000
If you are thinking of implementing SBS2003 for these guys you need to
realise that their XP Home PC's _cannot_ become members of a windows domain,
so you're looking at upgrading them to XP Pro.
Please do not consider installing SBS (or the primary DC of any Windows
Active Directory) onto a 'jumped up' workstation. Critical servers require
server class hardware, by preference I use name brand servers (Dell, HP,
IBM, I don't care), I acknowledge that some may be able to build equivalent
'white boxes', I'm just not interested in going there m'self.
Rather than the USB tape drive you suggest I'd much rather see both SCSI
HDD's and (on a seperate controller) SCSI tape drive.
Reliable and straightforward backup (and importantly, restore)? SBS Backup
wizard to a tape drive which is recognised as such to Windows Server 2003
Automated System Recovery (ASR). FULL backup, every night (or at least 5
days a week). With an ASR set and the most recent SBS Backup you can fully
restore an SBS in a couple of hours + the time it takes to read the tape. By
using the builtin SBS Backup the 'manager' of the system can be alerted to
successful backup on a daily basis. (Actually, I've found that the biggest
problem here is not when SBS Backup works, but when it fails. People get SO
USED to SBS Backup notifications of success that they merely glance at the
report, sometimes missing a failure message)
It sounds like you want a Wireless Router/AP between SBS and the internet. A
fully supported scenario.
I get a feeling both you and your friend would benefit from grabbing either
a spare box or Virtual Server and installing SBS a few times. Get a look at
the system, come here and ask questions, do it again. An SBS trial system is
available from http://www.microsoft.com/sbs.
The upgrade to XP Pro on the workstations, and SBS implementation, may also
address your remote access question. Look for information on Remote Web
Workplace and it's 'Connect to my computer at work' function (RDP via RWW).
"Derek" <123123123123@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:uQwpmdDYGHA.3448@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Newsgroup,
I have been asked by a friend to find out what would be best for his
business so that they could do data backups of their single financial
application.
**** Company Info - Current Setup ****
Its a car workshop with 2-3 people in the office. They have Windows XP
Home
on the 2 PCs in the main office. A 3rd PC is in a back office and is for
general use, email, and website surfing.
The financial application currently sits on the "Master" pc. The other
pc,
"Slave", is networked to the Master with a crossover network cable. The
Slave pc slows down sometimes when accessing the financial application as
a
client on the Master pc.
The financial application is installed as a Master/Client setup with the
Master on the Master PC and Client on the Slave pc. This seems to work ok
on the Master but there is noticable slowdown some times for the
Slave/Client when working on an invoice.
They dont do backups at present.
**** What they want ****
A - They are looking for an easy to use backup method which will be
reliable
and straightforward.
B - They would like to be able to use the internet securely on any of the
3
pc's.
Bi - They also want any clients who come in to be able to connect to the
internet using a Wireless connection (delivery updates, email checking,
web
browsing for customers to pass the time).
C - Remote access from home for the boss if he needs to do some work from
home.
**** My Suggestion ****
1 - Financial Application - Use a server for hosting the financial
application. Have the 2 main office pc's work as clients that connect to
this. Since this machine is a server is should handle the requests ok and
they shouldnt see any slowdown. Either use a WirelessLAN router or cables
(they are due to have major reburbishment in the next 6 months so wireless
would be very useful).
2 - Backups - Use a USB tape drive for backups. Full backup on a Saturday
with Differentials Mon-Fri. This data can include the financial
application, personal area or any other folders they would like included.
3 - Secure Internet - In order to try to fit this in with the server
network
I was thinking about 2 networks, both wireless. One would be properly
sercure (128bit, WPA hidden SSID etc) and used for the office data
(server -
client network). The other network would just have the SSID hidden,
possibly some WPA security passphrase that was told to customers who were
allowed to connect. I have called these "Data WLAN" and "Internet WLAN",
just for the sake of this posting.
I'm a bit unsure about the 2 networks. My theory is that one is safe and
the other is risky, and I want to keep them seperate but I'm not sure if I
need to.
How do I make the internet safer on the 2 client PCs if they connect to
the
internet? Should they use the financial app/data server for their
internet
access or should they connect to the internet using the Internet WLAN? If
they are up to date with patches and anti-virus and only visit sites they
trust, I "guess" they should be ok. But is there a better way of doing
this?
4 - Remote Access - I expect he can use IP web login onto the server, or
some sort of VPN tunnelling, and do any work that way. Is that possible?
How big a job is this?
Is it possible for me to do this myself with remote assistance
(phone/remote
access) from a friend who used to teach Windows Server stuff?
************************
Basically they want backups, faster access to the financial application,
secure internet that wont compromise their server (data/backup) and remote
access.
************************
What do you think and what do you recommend?
Thank you.
.
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