WWYD: Upgrading a Small Business Network.

[thecomputerguy]

So I get called out for a consult.

Upon arrival I see, 2 very old windows XP computers (6 years old), 1 DC running Server 2003 setup only as a DC, DNS, and file server. Server config is 2x120gb HD's running RAID 1 using onboard raid on an old HP Server, 1x250gb HD internal Backup, no external backup.

The server runs but I really have no idea of the state of the hard drives as there is no RAID utility, I could have reboot the server and manually gone into the RAID BIOS but I didn't want to risk rebooting such an old machine.

His workstations are not setup for folder redirection, nor is his email exchange based, so he's lugging PST's around. I explain to him my concern that if one of his workstations hard drives failed, everything on that workstation would be lost including all of his saved emails. He tells me a loss like that would be utterly devastating. I explain to him that I cannot account for the state of his hard drives in his server, they are very old, there is no diagnostic utility for the drives, and they are 75% full. His backup system also is not working.

Implementing folder redirection on new computers would be impossible because it would max out the capacity on the server.

He has an extremely nice office in a well off area, he was prepared to upgrade his workstations, and pay for much more than he needed to ensure he wouldn't have to do this again anytime soon. So I'm thinking a high end i5 or i7 with 8gb or so of RAM, selling the workstations is the easy part.

He knows I'm not happy about the current state of his server, and I told him I would quote him on a new server.

REMINDER: 2 workstations & 1 server.

OPTIONS: I believe my options are as follows.

2 New workstations are a given.

1.) I'm going to quote him $3k for a new Dell T310 with 2x500GB Raid 1 OS, 2x500GB Raid 1 Data (Most expensive)

2.) Implement a NAS with backup solution (Eh.... may not be possible due to some software possibly requiring an OS)

3.) Remove the server altogether and install backups on the individual workstations. (Cheapest).

My end goal is to get his life's work off of this 7 Year old server and get the data from the server, and the data from the workstations backed up properly.

Suggestions?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

HP does have a RAID tool for most of their onboard fakeRAID controllers...probably just wasn't installed on the server. Not the most in depth tool, but you some info 'n functionality.

The question of NAS or server....sorta depends on what their needs are. What is this current server used for...as far as sharing? Just files? Or what hosted applications? Quickbooks server? Any line of biz apps? License key for special apps? Print server?

Normally I'd always push for a server...because that's where we make more of our money. Years ago, it was either a server...or a workstation running a desktop OS trying to be a server, for smaller peer to peer/workgroup networks.

But these days..with other good options avail...the poor solution of a workstation as a server isn't the only path (thankfully).

I recently did a network for a longtime client of mine...he used to be the manager of a metal fabrication company. He started doing some specialized projects for the Navy. These projects got more "techie" than the metal fabrication plant could do...so he left that place and started up his own biz. The office he came from, I had setup on Small Business Server...so he was used to lots of those features. For his new biz...3x people...was tough to cough up that much dough up front. He may get there..but for now I have him on a decent setup.
*Synology DS413 NAS...local storage on his network, remote access to files for clients and short term team members
*Microsoft Office 365 for e-mail and collaboration, file sharing via Sharepoint.

I did the Synology unit with 3x WD RE4 enterprise SATA drives.
800 bucks for that, 2 hours of my time...just a hair of 1 grand he has a nice unit at his office for storage, and remote access.

Right now he's just doing manual backups with WD Passport drives, but after the next project of his get done and he gets some substantial money flowing it...he'll be kicking in the supported Amazon hosted offsite backup of the Synology.

If your client needs a Windows Server....the Dell T300 is a good way to go, decent entry level server. I'd look into Server 2012 Essentials...and integrate the Office 365 for email.

FYI, freaking cool projects he does for the Navy....sub simulators...huge 360 degrees wrap around 60" LED monitors, conning tower you stand up atop to look around you at that 360 degree view from the TV, just awesome things..and HUGE!

 

[thecomputerguy]

HP does have a RAID tool for most of their onboard fakeRAID controllers...probably just wasn't installed on the server. Not the most in depth tool, but you some info 'n functionality.

The question of NAS or server....sorta depends on what their needs are. What is this current server used for...as far as sharing? Just files? Or what hosted applications? Quickbooks server? Any line of biz apps? License key for special apps? Print server?

Normally I'd always push for a server...because that's where we make more of our money. Years ago, it was either a server...or a workstation running a desktop OS trying to be a server, for smaller peer to peer/workgroup networks.

But these days..with other good options avail...the poor solution of a workstation as a server isn't the only path (thankfully).

I recently did a network for a longtime client of mine...he used to be the manager of a metal fabrication company. He started doing some specialized projects for the Navy. These projects got more "techie" than the metal fabrication plant could do...so he left that place and started up his own biz. The office he came from, I had setup on Small Business Server...so he was used to lots of those features. For his new biz...3x people...was tough to cough up that much dough up front. He may get there..but for now I have him on a decent setup.
*Synology DS413 NAS...local storage on his network, remote access to files for clients and short term team members
*Microsoft Office 365 for e-mail and collaboration, file sharing via Sharepoint.

I did the Synology unit with 3x WD RE4 enterprise SATA drives.
800 bucks for that, 2 hours of my time...just a hair of 1 grand he has a nice unit at his office for storage, and remote access.

Right now he's just doing manual backups with WD Passport drives, but after the next project of his get done and he gets some substantial money flowing it...he'll be kicking in the supported Amazon hosted offsite backup of the Synology.

If your client needs a Windows Server....the Dell T300 is a good way to go, decent entry level server. I'd look into Server 2012 Essentials...and integrate the Office 365 for email.

FYI, freaking cool projects he does for the Navy....sub simulators...huge 360 degrees wrap around 60" LED monitors, conning tower you stand up atop to look around you at that 360 degree view from the TV, just awesome things..and HUGE!

Yeah that's what I thought, I really think the Synology may be the way we have to go. Did you just do RAID 5? What do you think about this NAS ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822108123&Tpk=ds413j ) - with some RE4 WD Drives?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yeah that's what I thought, I really think the Synology may be the way we have to go. Did you just do RAID 5?

Synology calls it a Hybrid RAID. 3x 1TB WD RE4 drives yielded ~1.8 TB usable volume.
I didn't look at those "J" units like what you linked...I'm not sure about the differences in those models...I used this DS413 unit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822108122

 

[Maniaman]

Synology uses the following naming convention:
Synology DSxyz where:
x = number of drive bays
y = model year
z = J, +, or nothing J being the consumer/small office version, nothing being standard version, and + being the professional/performance version.

J units are the consumer version. J units will have a slower processor, less RAM, and will not be as expandable as a regular or + unit. For what it's worth, we are using a Synology 212j in our shop for serving files. It works fine for us, but there's only ever 1 or 2 people accessing it at any given point. If it's going to be seeing a lot of use I'd recommend spending the extra on a regular or a + unit.

 

[thecomputerguy]

Synology uses the following naming convention:
Synology DSxyz where:
x = number of drive bays
y = model year
z = J, +, or nothing J being the consumer/small office version, nothing being standard version, and + being the professional/performance version.

J units are the consumer version. J units will have a slower processor, less RAM, and will not be as expandable as a regular or + unit. For what it's worth, we are using a Synology 212j in our shop for serving files. It works fine for us, but there's only ever 1 or 2 people accessing it at any given point. If it's going to be seeing a lot of use I'd recommend spending the extra on a regular or a + unit.

Wow so helpful! Thanks!!!

This company has 2 Workstations and I'm replacing the server with a NAS rather than a new server for cost purposes. I could probably get away with a simple cheap RAID 1 NAS as there is probably only going to be 1 person accessing it at a time ... ever .... decisions decisions....

 

[thecomputerguy]

Ok so it looks like almost all of their products do the same thing the main difference being processor and RAM and of course cost.

 

[thecomputerguy]

Ended up going with:

Synology DS213: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822108120
WD Red NAS 1TB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236342
WD My book USB 3.0: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136748

Decided not to fool with the Hybrid RAID or any RAID more complex than RAID 1. I'm looking at literally 1 user MAYBE 2 accessing basic word documents on this thing, didn't make sense to go overboard for such a small application. Thanks to both of you for your help.