Server Slowdown?

alt · #1 July 8th, 2004, 07:26 PM

Hi,

I'm just about to install a wireless network, consisting of 1 desktop connected to the scanner/printer/internet and up to 3 laptops connecting to all of these things at once. The desktop is obviously going to act as a server, and the laptops are going to print, scan (maybe) and access the internet through it. I'm even going to set up the desktop as an email server too using the Mercury Mail program from Pegasus, so that means all the laptops will be getting their emails from the desktop too. The desktop isnt going to be a dumb server and there will be someone using it most of the time.

So my question is - is the desktop going to suffer much slowdown as a result of being used by 1 local user and up to 3 network users at a time?

The desktop is a P4 3GHz wth 512Mb RAM.

Thanks very much for any help you all may have...

Alt

will2041 · #2 July 10th, 2004, 06:35 AM

Welcome to CTH alt!

I wouldn't worry about it effecting performance. Of course, I'm assuming you won't be downloading 10,000 pieces of email and printing 8x10 photos all day.

If it does become quite the issue, just get a wireless router with a built in print server. That takes 2 of the 3 out of the computer's "hands".

alt · #3 July 12th, 2004, 06:07 PM

Hi Will,

Thanks for your reply - I'll give it a go and see if it affects the server, but from what you've said it really shouldn't. My only other question for the moment is one of security. There isn't going to be any particularly sensitive material going on in this network, but it would be nice to have a small amount of security on it just to stop someone with a laptop walking by and having a snoop.

So basically what can you recommend security-wise. Is there any software out there (preferably freeware!) which will allow me to secure the network a bit?

Thanks

Alt

will2041 · #4 July 12th, 2004, 08:41 PM

The software that the server uses to share out the internet connection should have a built in firewall/NAT to keep people on the internet out. As for the wireless end, there are a few simple things you can do on the router to keep your network secure:

1. Change the SSID of your network. You should be able to do this in the control panel of your router. It's basically just changing the name of your network so it's harder for people to guess.

2. Enable WEP encryption on the router. This will go the furthest to keeping out anyone just passing by.

3. If the router supports it, enable static DHCP. It's a feature on some routers that will assign an IP based on MAC address. Then disable standard DHCP. Someone trying to get on the network won't be able to get an IP (assuming they're set to use DHCP, which most people are).

That should be all you really need to keep people with no great interest in your data out. Keep in mind this won't stop someone who really, really wants in. Then again, what will?!

alt · #5 July 12th, 2004, 09:00 PM

Thanks again for the advice but I forgot to mention that I won't be using a router. Will this affect the security at all?

Alt

will2041 · #6 July 12th, 2004, 10:35 PM

I'm sorry, I got a little confused there. Since it is software based, it depends on what features your connection sharing software has. What are you planning on using??

alt · #7 July 13th, 2004, 12:51 AM

I was just going to use Win XP to share everything. Is that a bad idea?

will2041 · #8 July 13th, 2004, 04:17 AM

That should work fine. Here's a nice tutorial on how to configure a wireless network without a router. It even includes how to set up WEP.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...02april08.mspx

Just be sure to set up a firewall like ZoneAlarm on the server as it will be directly accessible to the net. You should be all set! Good luck and feel free to post back with any problems you may encounter!