Re: Re: [OT] - Office IT support

["Ho Yin Ng" <architect.hoyin@xxxxxxxxx>]

Great info Ian. Thanks. SBS looks good.

With the D2D2T does that mean I have off site storage as well?

The problem I have with the tape at the moment is that it takes so
long to backup I effectively only have a backup once every two days.

Does anyone recommend backup online? To an off-site server?

The problem is for the next 3 months I will also employ a further 5
people so I need to be able to handle them as well. But I don't want
to rewire or have down time or change servers right now - it is
complicated!

So my idea is to get a NAS or SAN so when we move I just take that and
plug it into our new system.

I think the NAS is a SAN it is a NAS with an OS?

Thanks

HY

2008/8/9 Ian Lowe <ianlowe@xxxxxxx>:
> I don't work in support any more, but I did run a support company for
> a few years. Your mileage my vary, but here are my suggestions.
>
>>My office is expanding, currently at around 30 and need to be
around
> 45 by the end of the year.
>
> You are prime candidates for Windows Small Business Server. It
> supports up to 75 users, at which point you can 'scale out' onto full
> blown server, exchange etc.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/sbs/editions.mspx
>
>>Currently we run a linux system with outlook (but no exchange) with
a
> 1TB NAS server with 12 x 300GB SAS drives which we are now at 94%
> capacity.
>
> That's completely `fur coat no knickers' to be honest. Outlook without
> exchange is pointless, and SAS storage when you are at the 30 user
> level smacks of `shiny toy syndrome' from the supplier. And who lets a
> company they are supporting reach 1Tb of space and still be on 100Mb?
>
>>We need a stop gap solution for the next 3 months, but then when we
> move I want to reuse the new stuff, but put it into a new more
> efficient system.
>
> Tbh, that's probably a false economy. Wait three months and do it
> right, or take the hit now. If you are out of contract now, I'd wing
> it =96 it's not long.
>
> Both HP and Dell sell SBS at OEM pricing with new servers - it's a
> *very* cheap way to get it.
>
>> In addition we have a problem with software and licensing. Not
> everyone has the same version of software and this is causing problems
> as people without adobe CS3 cannot open the files.
>
> SBS has software distribution by group policy built in. it is
> *seriously* good.
>
>> We have a tape backup system, but it takes so long to back up we
> effectively could lose 2 days worth of information should there be a
> fire.
>
> Given your data volume, I would advise you to look at D2D2T (disk to
> disk to tape) =96 basically a lot of cheap space in your backup server
> will get you past the backup speed issue and allow fast recovery, with
> slower tape streaming from the backup server's own disks. Who cares if
> the backup runs for 14 hours if it doesn't affect anyone, right?
>
>> The IT solution company at the moment proposing we get another 1TB
NAS
> with a gigabit switch (though we are currently on 100mbit) - which
> will cost us another =A314k roughly.
>
> Are you *sure* that's not a SAN node? 14K for a NAS seems awfully
> expensive=85
>
>> I don't understand the real advantage of the SAS drives.
>
> Because there aren't any at your level. SAS allows dual connections so
> they can be multi-homed on two controllers at once (a fault tolerance
> feature on higher end kit) it's also blisteringly fast.
>
> Even Storage Area Network kit supports SAS for high speed and SATA
> shelves for less critical (in performance terms) data. SATA is plenty
> quick enough for normal office use.
>
>> 3. I will want to upgrade to Exchange server, and run windows
server
> (which would also allow for immediate file recovery). At the moment we
> have no shared calendars due to linux - we must have this. I would
> prefer to run a separate email server and storage server.
>
> SBS has *very* good licence terms and gets you Sharepoint and Exchange
> =96 the best combination you can get at the moment.
>
> 6. I will want full access to the network - email and files remotely.
> At the moment we only have access to webmail
>
> Small Business Server gives you this. Full Remote Desktop to all
> workstations, remote email etc.
>
> 7. Everytime a computer is attached to our network it needs to be
> automatically distributed with the relevant templates and settings
> from the server.
>
> That's what Group Policies are for =96 Small Business Server has a
> `network wizard' that sets up the machine, adds it to the domain,
> installs the required software (automatically) and what's more =96
your
> settings roam from machine to machine with you.
>
> I am a fan of Linux, but this is where Microsoft earns it's bread and
> butter. Small Business Server will eat any alternative platform for
> breakfast =96 SBS 2003 was damn near unbeatable, SBS 2008 is going to
be
> simply the best software for any business in the `up to 75 staff'
> category to have.
>
> if you are buyng before November, make sure you get SA (sofwtare
> assurance) with SBS 2003 R2 - it will give you upgrade rights to SBS
> 2008 when it ships.
>
> Hope that Helps.
>
> Ian.
>
>=20

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