Reconfigure Small Business Network
I inherited a small business network that I would like to reconfigure (See Image).
Basically, they had the SBS Server setup as the frontend for the network. I would like to put the server behind a gigabit router, and create a backbone between the server, NAS, and workstation switch.
Question is: what do I need to do to the SBS server and to the router to have everything working? Everything = self-hosted email (exchange), VPN, and everything else windows seems to need to make it work. I know I'll have to setup port forwarding on the router to point to the server, but I feel like I'm missing something, and I'm not sure how SBS server is going to like being moved.
I've been told to use DHCP on the server still, and have no problem with that.
I've researched this for a month on the internet and read the SBS2003 Administrator's Companion, but still feel like I'm missing something.
If you need more information, just reply. I'll be here all day and I'll check this throughout the weekend.
Network-Diagram.png
Basically, they had the SBS Server setup as the frontend for the network. I would like to put the server behind a gigabit router, and create a backbone between the server, NAS, and workstation switch.
Question is: what do I need to do to the SBS server and to the router to have everything working? Everything = self-hosted email (exchange), VPN, and everything else windows seems to need to make it work. I know I'll have to setup port forwarding on the router to point to the server, but I feel like I'm missing something, and I'm not sure how SBS server is going to like being moved.
I've been told to use DHCP on the server still, and have no problem with that.
I've researched this for a month on the internet and read the SBS2003 Administrator's Companion, but still feel like I'm missing something.
If you need more information, just reply. I'll be here all day and I'll check this throughout the weekend.
Network-Diagram.png
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Router, as the server will no longer be able to route anything because it will only have one interface.
Shaun
Shaun
Is this SBS2003 Standard or Premium (with ISA)? If you have ISA 2004, you may have issues with a single nic & best practise (on SBS2003 Premium) is to use 2 nics.
Actually I believe the offical line is 2 NIC is the best practice for either flavour. Both will work fine with a single NIC however. It's just a matter of choice.
If you have premium, remove local ISA firewalls from client Pc's and then uninstall ISA from server. Internet configuration wizard auto prompts after this if I remember correctly.
Shaun
If you have premium, remove local ISA firewalls from client Pc's and then uninstall ISA from server. Internet configuration wizard auto prompts after this if I remember correctly.
Shaun
ASKER
It is standard. With a 2 NIC configuration on the server, can i set the server to be a gateway? See my diagram above, I need the workstations to have access to the NAS, and I want the NAS, router, server, and switch to be gigabit (one port on switch is gigabit).
Yes, but surely that would just be the same as what you have now?
The second diagram is fine providing the dlink router is actually just a DSL router with inbuild switch ports. You wouldn't want the SBS on another network for example, but those small business 'routers' are actually switches with a DSL and fastethernet interface!
Shaun
The second diagram is fine providing the dlink router is actually just a DSL router with inbuild switch ports. You wouldn't want the SBS on another network for example, but those small business 'routers' are actually switches with a DSL and fastethernet interface!
Shaun
ASKER
@shauncroucher: Precisely. And yes to the D-Link Router.
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The design you have given is the best one for your scenario, if you attach the SBS and NAS to the switch they will have limited bandwidth (100mbps each) as you say you only have 1 gigabit port that you can use to uplink to the dlink.
As I explained, the dlink is really another switch and if this has gigabit, then you are best to plug the SBS and NAS into it to make use of the bandwidth.
There is nothing unusual about this design and makes best use of your bandwidth.
Shaun
As I explained, the dlink is really another switch and if this has gigabit, then you are best to plug the SBS and NAS into it to make use of the bandwidth.
There is nothing unusual about this design and makes best use of your bandwidth.
Shaun
Here's why I wouldn't (and don't plug my servers or NAS devices in to routers). When you need to restart your router (and believe me you surely will several times over its life time) you have to log everyone off otherwise you disconnect them. That's a pain. If you have your router connected only to the switch you could reconfigure or reboot it without affecting network connectivity.
Using D-Link, you don't have a lot invested so if network performance is an issue then invest in a gigabit switch and put everyone on gigabit. They are relatively cheap these days--especially D-Link.
If you don't want to increase your network speed up to 10 fold by adding a gigabit switch then my recommendation still stands. I don't believe there is any benefit of a gigabit router unless it's connected to one or more additional gigabit routers for segmenting purposes. In a standalone situation like yours, yes you can connect your server to the gigabit port but you are still communicating with the workstations at 100MB. I submit you won't see any meaningful performance differences.
Using D-Link, you don't have a lot invested so if network performance is an issue then invest in a gigabit switch and put everyone on gigabit. They are relatively cheap these days--especially D-Link.
If you don't want to increase your network speed up to 10 fold by adding a gigabit switch then my recommendation still stands. I don't believe there is any benefit of a gigabit router unless it's connected to one or more additional gigabit routers for segmenting purposes. In a standalone situation like yours, yes you can connect your server to the gigabit port but you are still communicating with the workstations at 100MB. I submit you won't see any meaningful performance differences.
Another Gigabit switch would be ideal, but given the choice you have I'd hook SBS and NAS to the switchports on the router as you will benefit from the throughput. Its true that if you need to reboot the router, connectivity to the server will go down for a minute or so, but you shouldn't have to reboot it all that often and for small business, its not always a big issue. I agree if you can purchase a second gig switch, that would be the optimal configuration for you as it will negate this issue.
Choice is yours I guess, just bear in mind that if the SBS and NAS are plugged into a Gig port they will be able to provide much higher levels of throughput to your 100mbps devices. Even if only the SBS and NAS are at a gig, for data transfer, you will have 1000mbps to provide across your users, so you will notice a difference.
Shaun
Choice is yours I guess, just bear in mind that if the SBS and NAS are plugged into a Gig port they will be able to provide much higher levels of throughput to your 100mbps devices. Even if only the SBS and NAS are at a gig, for data transfer, you will have 1000mbps to provide across your users, so you will notice a difference.
Shaun
Default scenario, it is always the cheapest,quickest, and easiest fix you can do for your network, but a gigabit switch, geez :-).
ASKER
It's not just the gigabit switch--it's the interface cards that go with it (and despite my graphic it's not just 3 workstations either!)
I'm working on changing now, hopefully will award points on Monday pending any hiccups. Thanks!
I'm working on changing now, hopefully will award points on Monday pending any hiccups. Thanks!
Most if not all workstations and servers in the last several (at least five) years already come with GB cards ;-).
Besides, even if there are workstations still using 100mb nic's they will still benefit with the servers and everyone else on a 10 lane highway vs a one lane highway, they'll just be driving on the outside lane :-).
Just this week I had a very similar problem, this problem had been going on for months, I replaced a 100mb 48 port and 24 port switch that was connected with fiber. Within the hour it took me to replace the switches with GB's everyone was like wow my excel, quickbooks, internet, and anything else was popping up much faster. End of my problems :-).
The funny thing is I use to hear the same arguments back when 10mb hub's were the standard and the new standard was 100mb switches :-). Some things never change. Trust me it was a harder sell than spending a couple hundred bucks on a GB switch.
Hope this helps
Just this week I had a very similar problem, this problem had been going on for months, I replaced a 100mb 48 port and 24 port switch that was connected with fiber. Within the hour it took me to replace the switches with GB's everyone was like wow my excel, quickbooks, internet, and anything else was popping up much faster. End of my problems :-).
The funny thing is I use to hear the same arguments back when 10mb hub's were the standard and the new standard was 100mb switches :-). Some things never change. Trust me it was a harder sell than spending a couple hundred bucks on a GB switch.
Hope this helps
well said Conch. it sounds like most of us are in agreement. plug in everything in to the switch. preferably you are able to upgrade it to gigabit but if not your topology is set when you are ready to do it. Good Luck!
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That...was WAY too easy!
I configured the router, ran ICW on the server, switched the wires...and it works!
Thanks all, assigning points now...
I configured the router, ran ICW on the server, switched the wires...and it works!
Thanks all, assigning points now...
ASKER