jase555

guys need to setup a file server in work,

my idea is to take about 30 people in work and transfer their mydocs onto the file server, cost is an issue here

thought was basic pc with say 160gb storage, running xp pro,

then i will simply create loads of folders and share via a unique password, then basically map the drive to my file server and run from there,

thus user 1 maps to drive letter xx - all i do is tell him/her all docs are there.

is this an effective way to go (bearing in mind cost)

will processor or ram make any difference to the box, was also thinking about sticking some sort of tape drive in so i can backup the hard drive.

all info appreciated as usual

thanks

jase

David_Wallis

Dont do it..

Cheap dell or compaq server (designed for this)

get a copy of windows 2000 sbs or similar..

Buy a backup device, antivirus software and CALS..

xp is also limited to the number of connections.

thats the best answer you get from me on a friday

bye b.....

jase555

cost is imperative on this one

would like to go and do it properly but fundage is no go, so have around £500 to play with to get a temporary solution running while waiting for proper expenditure approval

thanks

jase

stevencotton

Linux and Samba will be the cheapest, won't cost you anything, easy to set up, SSamba runs out of the box.

ChrisB

XP Pro won't cut the mustard - it's limited to a maximum of ten concurrent network connections. You'll need a server license like W2003 Server. In which case you might as well go for SBS 2003.

Alternatively, look at running Linux on the server or a NAS device which provides a wedge of disk space and you configure it remotely.

David_Wallis

dont bother doing it then..

You moving the data to one possible point of failure.. at the moment you have some resiliance.

David

jase555

my idea was to move critical files then do backups of critical files, not everything just files people think are critical

R1916v

Unless you can do it reasonably properly don't bother.

Need a proepr server for resiliance imho, plus a good backup routine (preferably more than just a cdr now and again, but I don't know how long term your backup needs are, cds can degrade over time dramatically)

Nick

OK, the server would need Win2003 server or Win2003 Small Business Server, if you want extra facilities (internal email etc). For sharing with that many people, you will need a SCSI hard drive & if you are going to use the SBS facilities, then 1gb RAM. XP Home does not connect to a domain server, so workstations would have to be W98, W2k or XP Pro. Estimated cost for server £2k-£3k with DAT tape backup.