Storage solution for office?

[Eric]

Does anyone have any suggestions on any storage solution for office? In
office, there is no backup system at all, and all shared drive are located on
different desktops. I would like to consolidate all shared drive into a
single storage system for office. Does anyone have any suggestions on what
kinds of system I should look for?
I expect that backup and shared storage system are integrated into a single
unit.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions
Eric

 

[John John (MVP)]

You could stick a backup server in your peer network, a backup server
can be a Windows workstation with proper backup software. But quite
franky when you get to the point where you have to start delving into
these solutions the best thing to do is to move your network from a
workgroup model to a domain model.

John

 

[Eric]

Thank everyone very much for suggestions
Could you please tell me the different between workgroup and domain model?
What kind of OS should I use? Does Microsoft have any product on sharing
Server?
Thank everyone very much for any suggestions
Eric

 

[Eric]

Thank everyone very much for suggestions

For the second option, all PCs in office are running XP, if I connect an
external "network drive" via Ethernet, does it have any limitation on access
abiility based on the number of users? For the network structure, do I need
a stand-alone PC under XP? and attached the external network drive with it.
The external network drive included a feature to backup itself.
Does it work this way based on your description? Could you please give me
more information on its structure?
Thank everyone very much for any suggestions
Eric


2) Just buy an external "network drive". These drives are connected via
Ethernet and are stand-alone file servers (essentially). They work fine.
However... you'll still need an external drive to backup these too.


Eric

 

[John John (MVP)]

A workgroup is a logical collection of computers that share resources.
Normally, workgroups are composed of the computers within a single
department or a small company. Each computer can share resources with
all other computers. In essence, all computers are of equal status.
Within a company, different departments may be workgroups and each may
have a unique name to identify the workgroup. Because each computer is
independent, each computer is responsible for authenticating users.

Like a workgroup, a domain is a logical collection of computers that
share resources. One of the key differences is that there is a single
server that is responsible for managing security and other user-related
information for the domain. This server allows login validation, by
which a user logs into the domain and not into a single computer.

[end quote]
http://kb.iu.edu/data/adgs.html

In addition to the above, with a domain you can configure a file server:

A file server provides a central location on your network where you can
store and share files with users across your network. When users require
an important file such as a project plan, they can access the file on
the file server instead of having to pass the file between their
separate computers. If your network users will need access to the same
files and network-accessible applications, configure this computer as a
file server.

[end quote]
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windo...25c2-458f-9639-77889d78a9761033.mspx?mfr=true

With a file server it is much easier to secure and control access to
your important or sensitive files and data and it is much easier to back
them up as they are stored in a central location.

The drawbacks of having a domain is that it is more complicated and
expensive to set up than a peer workgroup, but once properly set up it
is easier to maintain than a workgroup. You might be able to lessen the
cost by using free server software but if you have never setup a domain
you will (may) need to pay a competent person to help you set up your
domain properly and to help you if you run into maintenance problems or
need assistance with complicated issues.

On the other hand, if you think all of this is more than you really need
or want to tackle, then just get good backup software and assign one of
the machines in your workgroup as a backup server.

John

 

[smlunatick]

A workgroup is a logical collection of computers that share resources.
Normally, workgroups are composed of the computers within a single
department or a small company. Each computer can share resources with
all other computers. In essence, all computers are of equal status.
Within a company, different departments may be workgroups and each may
have a unique name to identify the workgroup. Because each computer is
independent, each computer is responsible for authenticating users.

Like a workgroup, a domain is a logical collection of computers that
share resources. One of the key differences is that there is a single
server that is responsible for managing security and other user-related
information for the domain. This server allows login validation, by
which a user logs into the domain and not into a single computer.

[end quote]http://kb.iu.edu/data/adgs.html

In addition to the above, with a domain you can configure a file server:

A file server provides a central location on your network where you can
store and share files with users across your network. When users require
an important file such as a project plan, they can access the file on
the file server instead of having to pass the file between their
separate computers. If your network users will need access to the same
files and network-accessible applications, configure this computer as a
file server.

[end quote]http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/72ad1371-25c2-...

With a file server it is much easier to secure and control access to
your important or sensitive files and data and it is much easier to back
them up as they are stored in a central location.

The drawbacks of having a domain is that it is more complicated and
expensive to set up than a peer workgroup, but once properly set up it
is easier to maintain than a workgroup.  You might be able to lessen the
cost by using free server software but if you have never setup a domain
you will (may) need to pay a competent person to help you set up your
domain properly and to help you if you run into maintenance problems or
need assistance with complicated issues.

On the other hand, if you think all of this is more than you really need
or want to tackle, then just get good backup software and assign one of
the machines in your workgroup as a backup server.

John

Thank everyone very much for suggestions
Could you please tell me the different between workgroup and domain model?
What kind of OS should I use? Does Microsoft have any product on sharing
Server?
Thank everyone very much for any suggestions
Eric

"John John (MVP)" wrote:

- Show quoted text -

To connect to a domain set up, all PCs need to be running Windows XP
Pro.

Microsoft has a smaller Server grade operating system. Windows Home
server ???