Re: Is a server really needed?
- From: "Aart Jansen" <aart@*remove*hayes.co.nz>
- Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:32:02 +1200
I like servers for the better reliability, and i like SBS for my own sanity,
keeping track of x number of clients all with different configurations and
places to stores files & folders etc, is something I found mentally
draining.
SBS with its familiar structure and feature rich and easy tools & wizards
means a new user or email is a few clicks theres no waiting on the phone to
the ISP, theres no hunting for account numbers and seeking the 'authorised'
individual to change a lost email password. Theres a certain calm feeling
about going onsite when you know that the layout & configuration is NOT
string & rubberbands. Its hard to explain exactly, but those would be the
greatest benefits, and I'm glad to have have them.
"Leythos" <void@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:MPG.20d905386e25ae55989684@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In article <1181693188.713451.327030@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
njemtcan-njem@xxxxxxxxx says...
Okay folks, here's challenging question: Does a small business need a
server? I'll give you some info on the types of offices I'm dealing
with. This really is a serious question and not meant to
argumentative. I realize in this forum there's likely to be a bias
toward having one.
My clients typically have no program that REQUIRES a server. Maybe
they have QuickBooks Enterprise or similar, which just needs any
system to host the data and maybe, as with QB Enterprise, run a data
manager program or service.
They do need a separate system to host data and to have regular
backups (I use NovaStor), but that could be any separate system.
They USE virtually no security. I may warn them about it but
invariably everyone knows everyone else's password, or systems are
left on at lunch and they hate short screen savers or sleep times. So
no IN-HOUSE security. There are router/firewalls and physical
security. If the boss and or bookkeeper want to keep some things
private then maybe they have a few encrypted folders or, more likely,
what's private is in QB or some program that has its own password
system.
They don't use or need roaming. If they work from home we set up VPN
and RDP.
They don't use Exchange. Mail goes out to their ISP. They may have a
domain but it's hosted by a service.
If they need to share calendars a couple of them use PhoneSlips with
its group calendars extension.
A dumb station could be set up to share various folders with
permissions for some people but not others.
If there are any minor advantages, or advantages in unlikely "what-if"
scenarios, imagine you're talking to a 2 to 10 person business and
whatever advantages you want to point out have to balance against the
added cost of a server box, a copy of server, and the added tech time
and tech level ($) to setup and maintain whatever problems crop up
with, say, Exchange. Some of these are non-profits that, again, have
tight budgets.
Okay, I'm bracing myself. What do you all say?
In a typical office where there is no server the workstations are shared
to each other, one is considered the main workstation, the data is
spread around the network with no central location for ALL of it, the
printers hang off each computer, there is limited or no remote
connection to the office, etc...
A good workstation costs about $1500, but often lacks a tape backup or
any other means to backup ALL of the users data across the network.
If not using simple file sharing and not using Guest, then any person
that changes a password scan screw up everything for other users.
Since no computer acts as the main AntiVirus server all computers are on
their own, no reports in a central location, updates are required at
each computer..
A typical small business server cost about $1500 and a 2 x USB External
300GB drives runs about $300, SBS 2003 R2 (not premium) about $600 OEM,
and a typical SOHO Router (FVS318 or DFL-700) runs about $150 to $250
depending on what you need. You are also going to need XP Professional
for all computer, just to make life simple and to join the domain
(requirement).
With SBS (domain) you have a central location for ALL users data,
sharing is simple, backups are now simple as all data resides in one
location, antivirus software is cheaper as you now purchase the
corporate version which includes monitoring and central reporting - and
it can be setup so that the users can't disable or change it - making
the network more secure. Your SBS server can also push out updates to
the workstations, offer remote connections to the users own computers
via a web browser (and while you might not see the benefit, once they do
it a couple times they will never stop)....
Lets talk about email, you left out scheduling, contacts, sharing of
project information, etc.. All done Exchange for the users - so it's a
LOT more than email. I know one company that calls their Exchange public
folders their Company Database.
So, no, you don't need a server, but it sure makes life simpler, easier,
better disaster recovery prospects, safer storage of data.....
--
Leythos
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
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