Server info!

[newbie1981]

This is a very general query, and I'm sure someone will be able to help v.easily!

I would like to know how a server works and what it does!!

Basically, we have a small office (5 users) currently on a peer2peer network, sharing broadband, printers etc. We have 1 machine (6 in total) that acts a server, storging client files, email and software data that the other machines are directed to accross the network for saving work.

We have been thinking of chaning our PC's and am wondering the advantages of getting a dedicated server? how does it work?! is it complicated to set up? what about a wireless network? all the stupid questions a wannabe office IT person would like to know. If you can direct me to somewhere to get infor or answer any of these questions I would be really grateful!!

[mugsy27]

the main benifit is centralized security (active directory is nice). wk3 server is pretty sweet, is easy to config. and the liscence is relatively cheap. win2k3 small biz server sounds perfect for you.

u may also want to look into exchange for your email, although with 5 users, it may be overkill.

[bAdWaYz]

A "server" is kind of a misnomer IMO. The computer itself is just that, a computer. A "server" would be a service that the computer houses. For example a computer might run a mailserver "pop3, IMAP, yadda yadda". Or a webserver "Apache, IIS, blah blah". Yet again it could run an FTP server or a combo of them all. I agree that centralized security is a good thing and Server 03 will do all that and wayyy more. Exchange would IMO be a bit much for 5 users but Server 03 comes with a pretty nice pop3 and smtp built in. That in combo with Apache and some nifty open source php you can even have a web based front end for it yay!!!

[newbie1981]

thanks for that guys! How easy is it to set something like that up and maintain!

[mugsy27]

catch 22..its VERY easy to set up and maintain...IF you know what your doing!!

see if your company will spring a few $$ to send you to a class and get the basics of windoze networking and server maintenance. it will save them a fortune down the line if they have someone in-house to take care of thier IT matters.

[newbie1981]

don't think that will happen!! They are already paying to train me as an accountant!! I just try and take on the IT stuff to make life easier for myself, ie having centralised data etc! we have a guy who does our IT stuff, but he doesn't seem that willing to explain what he is doing, i tend to pick things up quick if i can see whats going on. All I really need to do is set up the email and broadband, and I'd be ok with the rest!

Is a 'server' accessed like a normal machine (ie own monitor etc) or do you just control it from another machine on the network?

I'm wondering whether we would be better off sticking with the set up we already have, and just using the one machine as a file storage server etc.

[mugsy27]

[QUOTE=newbie1981]Is a 'server' accessed like a normal machine (ie own monitor etc) or do you just control it from another machine on the network?
QUOTE]

YES!

(as in all of the above...and then some! lol)