ceceredean
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Products necessary for Local Area Network, small business
I need to find all the items (products) for a local area network for 12 users with a speed of 100 Mbps. A system that allows users to send and receive at the same time. I dont want a workgroup. All of the users also need access to high performance network printing. I need a brief description off all the products I need for this to work since two stores I have gone to have no idea how I can attain this and an estimated good price for all the products would also be aprreciated but is not necessary. Other than the microcomputers all of the pieces of equipment needed would be appreciated thanks in advance.
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lol, there's always someone else typing while I am!!
By send and receive at the same time, do you mean email?
If you don't want a workgroup, are you saying you don't want to share files and printers? If you do want to share files and printers, you need either a workgroup or a domain, and in this case you'd want a workgroup.
Hardware needed for a LAN is (I've done pricing in GBP):
12 port 10/100 switch (easier to get hold of a 16 port these days though, e.g. http://www.netgear.co.uk/fastethernet_switch_fs116.php @ around £50
Ensure each computer has a Network Interface Card (most have it built in, otherwise a 10/100 card should set you back around £5 per computer.
Cat5e cable to wire everything up: 305m reel of cable costs around £30 from trade suppliers
Wall boxes and front panels: £4 each roughly, similar price for double sockets so go for these if possible
12 patch leads (to go from wall sockets to computers): £2 each dependent on length
To make things look neat (though this is optional for this size network... I would always go for the neat approach though!)
Small cabinet: £90
Patch panel (16 port): £15
The other thing you would probably want if you have broadband and haven't already got a router, is a broadband router, e.g. Netgear DG834G (which includes wireless too), at around £90.
The workgroup/file sharing is purely software, so the hardware requirements wouldn't change.