friarl
asked on
Help with Refreshing an Office Network
Ok - Trying to help a friend who is a dentist refresh his network. can anyone give me a good starting point for what he wants:
need a designated server to capture my digital photographs and x-rays and to run the network. I need more speed to the terminals in each operatory(may be the servers problem). I need a full proof no brainer back-up system(we have an external hard-drive to backup now). I possibly need some inexpensive secondary monitors in a few rooms for easy explanation of treatment options and diagnosis. I will need a new computer in my office, maybe a laptop if feasible, but I am not opposed to a desktop
I know enough to be dangerous and he wants me to help. Now I need YOU to help ME!
need a designated server to capture my digital photographs and x-rays and to run the network. I need more speed to the terminals in each operatory(may be the servers problem). I need a full proof no brainer back-up system(we have an external hard-drive to backup now). I possibly need some inexpensive secondary monitors in a few rooms for easy explanation of treatment options and diagnosis. I will need a new computer in my office, maybe a laptop if feasible, but I am not opposed to a desktop
I know enough to be dangerous and he wants me to help. Now I need YOU to help ME!
eglone
Is their any existing equpment in the office and if so what are the specs on it?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Are you just after upgrading the network?, or commisioning virtually a whole new network.
Forgive me if I am wrong but it sounded to me like the network was running slowly and that you wanted to keep as much of the hardware as possile except a few new monitors a laptop etc.
I would agree with Brain2000 the first place to be looking is the network cabling. If your server is causing the main hold up try looking at what it is hosting. I mean there is no need for your server to be handling DHCP tasks hand that over to your router. Print serving tasks, pass them on to the individual workstations or a dedicaed print server, everyone will still have acces to them, its one less jo for the server.
Decide if yo want to upgrade the existing server or build a new one. I think you will e surprised what you can achieve by removing unnessacary software and services, adding some more memory and defragging the hard drive.
What OS are you currently using for the server and workstations, I mean if you are still running NT go for a Linux server with XP workstatios yo have all the cost and speed benefits then.
As to the laptop wireless is the only way to go, no doubt about it, I would reccomend linksys everytime for a low cost business solution. The office cant be too big so a singe wireles access point plugged directly into te existing network hardware should give you ofice wide coverage.
As to what laptop go with a laptop you are hapy with something to suit the budget and requirements.
sorry if I am barking up the wrong tree here, lease feel free to point me back n the right direction.
Forgive me if I am wrong but it sounded to me like the network was running slowly and that you wanted to keep as much of the hardware as possile except a few new monitors a laptop etc.
I would agree with Brain2000 the first place to be looking is the network cabling. If your server is causing the main hold up try looking at what it is hosting. I mean there is no need for your server to be handling DHCP tasks hand that over to your router. Print serving tasks, pass them on to the individual workstations or a dedicaed print server, everyone will still have acces to them, its one less jo for the server.
Decide if yo want to upgrade the existing server or build a new one. I think you will e surprised what you can achieve by removing unnessacary software and services, adding some more memory and defragging the hard drive.
What OS are you currently using for the server and workstations, I mean if you are still running NT go for a Linux server with XP workstatios yo have all the cost and speed benefits then.
As to the laptop wireless is the only way to go, no doubt about it, I would reccomend linksys everytime for a low cost business solution. The office cant be too big so a singe wireles access point plugged directly into te existing network hardware should give you ofice wide coverage.
As to what laptop go with a laptop you are hapy with something to suit the budget and requirements.
sorry if I am barking up the wrong tree here, lease feel free to point me back n the right direction.