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NewbieITGalFlag for Afghanistan

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Re: Need Recommendations for Nas and Wifi hardware for Small Office Workgroup

Hi All,

I have a small branch office that regularly has 8 -12 users in it and  maybe a few
times a month the amount goes up to 15-18 users.  The network is set up as a
workgroup.  The office will be downsizing in the next year so I'm keeping them on the workgroup.  I want to setup a NAS server in order for the users to do some
file sharing  and a backup of their files.  The second part is I need to set up wifi
access for both  the workgroup and a guest wifi.  

For the NAS I have been looking at the Buffalo Link Station Duo, Synology Diskstation DS712, and BlackArmor NAS 440.   Has any one out there used these products?
And what was your experience with them like?  I'm hoping to get something that
has software that is easy to maneuver.   Any recommendations?

As far as the Wifi I've heard there are wifi routers out there with a guest account
on them.   It's a large 2 story building so I'll definitely need a device upstairs and down. Does anyone know of models that have a guest wifi account on them?

I would really appreciate any advice you can give me.  Thank you
Avatar of Scott C
Scott C
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The LinkSys E6500 has exactly what you want in a wireless router.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124470

I have one of these in my home in a closet on the first floor and get FULL signal strength on the 3rd floor.

I can watch a movie on NetFlix half-way down the block on my iPad in my car.  It also has the Guest feature you are wanting.
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Brad Bouchard

As far as the NAS' I've used many and the Buffalo ones are my recommendation.  I would recommend this model though: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=696581&Q=&is=REG&A=details

The reason I like Buffalo is they integrate with workgroups and domains very well.

For WiFi I have the perfect solution.  It's a company called Ubiquiti and they make what they call their UniFi discs.  These discs look like flying saucers and come with a super easy to use and setup software.  You plug them in in your locations then go to a computer and install the software then it finds them and pulls them all in so you can make one giant network without having to set up multiple access points.  You can create a guest account in less than 10 seconds.  They are super affordable and run great.  I think they cost somewhere between $120-150 for a 3 pack.  Check them out here:  http://www.ubnt.com/unifi
Trust me on this, you won't find a better, OR EASIER, wireless product than the UniFi discs that I posted about above.
Those do look pretty cool.  Do they come with little blow up alien dolls?  :-)
Haha, I wish.
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Will the Ubiquiti allow me to have the wifi's separated so that I would have one
for the workgroup users and another access and password for the guest wifi?
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Brad Bouchard

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It sounds like it is super easy to setup and I like the look of the APs.   My only concern is that  I need to check to see my availability for open cat5 network ports  throughout the rooms.  Most of the cubicles have 1 port being used by computers.   I'm just worried that I won't  have a network connection available for where I need to place an AP.

Re: the Nas    - Is it easy to maneuver the software and set up individual users and user folders with permissions.  Also, the shared group folders with permissions.
The reason I ask is that I had a couple of NAS about 4-5 years ago that were a real pain
in the butt to configure -  Software was very awkward.   They weren't Buffalo.

You've been most helpful!

Thank you so much