how to setup 5 locations to communicate with one another cost effectively?
I have attained a job on the side to network 5 gyms. They want to be able to have all gyms be able to commuinicate with one another. Each memeber will have card access to gain access to the gym. They are asking me to come up with the most cost effective way to have all 5 gyms communicate with one another and have all data shared so that all workers can access information and create one central point for the database so that all gyms can connect in order to allow the card scan feature for gym members?? Any ideas guys for a cost effective way?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
fmarshall
I will have 5 different locations. They will all get new desktops. I want to be able to have them all communicate with one another. What im asking is do I need a server, router, at each location. Do I need DSL, T1, or ??? Im not sure how to set this up.
I will have 5 different locations. They will all get new desktops. I want to be able to have them all communicate with one another. What im asking is do I need a server, router, at each location. Do I need DSL, T1, or ??? Im not sure how to set this up.
If you are just looking for access control I would steer clear of building it on a desktop network; that's the kind of thing security contractors know how to do (or should know how to do).
If you have other data sharing needs, fmarshall has the right approach: there are many things that have to be defined before the project gets off the ground.
Make sure you know what the project requirements are before you start it - otherwise the project can turn into an amorphous monster that will consume you.
wb
If you have other data sharing needs, fmarshall has the right approach: there are many things that have to be defined before the project gets off the ground.
Make sure you know what the project requirements are before you start it - otherwise the project can turn into an amorphous monster that will consume you.
wb
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Here's what to do as at least a prospective solution *if* the "locations" are in the same building:
Run a single CAT5 cable from each gym to a central location. The central location can be a closet.
If there's to be DSL or cable internet connection, it's handy to have the DSL or cable available at that same location.
Install a router in the central location. $60 should do it.
Connect the cables to the router. If there aren't enough ports on the router, add an ethernet switch.
Connect the far end of the cables to the respective computers.
If there is more than one computer in a gym, put an ethernet switch in that gym and plug in the cable and the computers.
Feed the WAN side of the router to the cable/DSL modem if there is one.
You don't need a server.
Run a single CAT5 cable from each gym to a central location. The central location can be a closet.
If there's to be DSL or cable internet connection, it's handy to have the DSL or cable available at that same location.
Install a router in the central location. $60 should do it.
Connect the cables to the router. If there aren't enough ports on the router, add an ethernet switch.
Connect the far end of the cables to the respective computers.
If there is more than one computer in a gym, put an ethernet switch in that gym and plug in the cable and the computers.
Feed the WAN side of the router to the cable/DSL modem if there is one.
You don't need a server.
Here's what to do as a prospective solution if the "locations" are at different sites around the world - or down the block.
- You will need internet access at each location.
- Depending on the time responses needed, you may be able to use something as simple as email alerts between locations.
- Another approach would be to share files via ftp using ftp-oriented storage space "in the sky" provided by your ISP.
- If you can obtain fixed public IP addresses for each site, then a rather robust approach would be to use VPNs between 4 sites and the 5th designated "central site". That would be 4 VPNs. 5 RV042s total would do it. The implementation is a bit more challenging perhaps but then you could have more direct and faster interconnections.
- You will need internet access at each location.
- Depending on the time responses needed, you may be able to use something as simple as email alerts between locations.
- Another approach would be to share files via ftp using ftp-oriented storage space "in the sky" provided by your ISP.
- If you can obtain fixed public IP addresses for each site, then a rather robust approach would be to use VPNs between 4 sites and the 5th designated "central site". That would be 4 VPNs. 5 RV042s total would do it. The implementation is a bit more challenging perhaps but then you could have more direct and faster interconnections.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
I agree with Fatal_Exception - this project needs definition before you talk about software or hardware it runs on.
Some basic questions that have to be answered:
What do you want to do? (this will become 'What can you do?')
Where do you want to do it? (this will become 'Where can you do it?')
Who are you doing it with?
Who will be managing the solution?
Who will be maintaining the solution?
What is the duration of the project and solution?
What is the budget?
Try to avoid things like 'it would be nice if we could...' or 'we can upgrade to that later...' - these are indicators of mission creep - once the project is defined don't change it unless you have a very good reason to do so and you know what it will cost in terms of money and schedule.
wb
Some basic questions that have to be answered:
What do you want to do? (this will become 'What can you do?')
Where do you want to do it? (this will become 'Where can you do it?')
Who are you doing it with?
Who will be managing the solution?
Who will be maintaining the solution?
What is the duration of the project and solution?
What is the budget?
Try to avoid things like 'it would be nice if we could...' or 'we can upgrade to that later...' - these are indicators of mission creep - once the project is defined don't change it unless you have a very good reason to do so and you know what it will cost in terms of money and schedule.
wb
Yes.. I might also suggest that where we can help the most is after you get the project bid... we can certainly add content to it, or perhaps point out where your problems lie, and help ascertain a better solution...
You might also research how others in your industry have done this... They won't give out particulars, but LAN administrators are usually proud of their work and may suggest specific products they use.. Warren's centrally managed proximity card system is a start.. with a combination of this, centrally located servers holding the database, and Terminal Servers running through VPNs or Point to Point T1s might do the trick.. In this vein, I like Citrix, but that can get exensive..
You might also research how others in your industry have done this... They won't give out particulars, but LAN administrators are usually proud of their work and may suggest specific products they use.. Warren's centrally managed proximity card system is a start.. with a combination of this, centrally located servers holding the database, and Terminal Servers running through VPNs or Point to Point T1s might do the trick.. In this vein, I like Citrix, but that can get exensive..
ASKER
Well IM looking to keep a budget of ten grand. I want to setup up 3 workstations at each location. These locations will be in different areas of the state. So I want to setup a central server at the primary location with a centralized database that all the other locations can access. Would this best be done with a terminal connection?
What Im trying to get from everyone also is how to set it up. Do I put a router in each location and that just run the desktops to that. Or do I have to have a server at each location? When a member comes in and scans his card to gain access to the gym how will it communicate with the central server?? Will I have to have a server at every location that replicates several times a day to be up to date or can I just have a the main desktop termail service into the main server????
What Im trying to get from everyone also is how to set it up. Do I put a router in each location and that just run the desktops to that. Or do I have to have a server at each location? When a member comes in and scans his card to gain access to the gym how will it communicate with the central server?? Will I have to have a server at every location that replicates several times a day to be up to date or can I just have a the main desktop termail service into the main server????
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
All good points from fmarshall.. and I have little that I can add to that comment.. I would look at the Card Reader portion as this is where you will need to bring in a consultant, since I believe that your entire prospectus is contingent on this.. everything else is pretty easy to implement.. routers, vpns, etc...
What is the physical layout. Are all the gyms in the same building? Are they simply contiguous rooms or spread out? etc. etc. Are cable runs to a central point feasible?
What is the equipment needing to communicate? Computers in each gym? Monitored equipment? ..... What does card access have to do with it?
What does "cost effective" really mean in terms of desired specifications? e.g. is backup required or not? etc. etc.
What is the state of development? Are the gyms already outfitted with equipment (that would be networked) or are choices still wide open?