Setting up a server

[marik]

Hi guys! I would like to ask for your help about setting up a server. I am planning to connect 10 computers and I want the files in these 10 computers to be backed-up in the server automatically. What OS would serve best? How will I configure it? Please help. .....

[confus-ed]

There's not enough to go on there .. but at the minute, & given that you have to ask, I'd say you might well be best with some sort of central backup & storage system which is operating system independent like a NAS (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/N/network-attached_storage.html)..

[Kodiak]

I have set up a few of NAS drives now under the advise of these young men here and I find them very easy to set up however limited to basic bakup and not entire system backup which uses a lot of disk space unless it's only for a few PC's even with the largest of drives. If it is only for small backups it's a great way to go. What I have found is that after a short period, even when warned, files and folder get on the NAS that are not only backups but the only file thus eliminating what you wanted to achieve, A BACKUP. In my limited knowledge I believe the best way for 10, and for liability reasons, I would setup a server with 2003 standard or even windows xp installed along with tape backups. The 10 pcs can save whatever they want including full backups for disaster recovery and the tapes will backup that info. Also server 2003 setup will be great for future growth and security for the business. Just my thoughs and someone will join in here and dispute everything I said. LOL

[confus-ed]

... Just my thoughs and someone will join in here and dispute everything I said. LOL

What you said is all fair comment :thumbs:, I was just going on the phrase "How will I configure it" which suggests to me that Marik mighn't have so much experience with server concepts & operation & not want to have to learn about domains & active directory etc & for folks like that (not everybody lives to be a geek ! :D), a NAS is very good, as the learning curve required is considerably less steep :)

[confus-ed]

I have set up a few of NAS drives ..

Man no wonder I picked this name ! :rolleyes: :knife: ..

So I forgot to say that a NAS, isn't necessarily connected to just one drive, you can have lots, it depends what you are prepared to spend ;)

[Kodiak]

What you said is all fair comment :thumbs:, I was just going on the phrase "How will I configure it" which suggests to me that Marik mighn't have so much experience with server concepts & operation & not want to have to learn about domains & active directory etc & for folks like that (not everybody lives to be a geek ! :D), a NAS is very good, as the learning curve required is considerably less steep :)

You can also get NAS drive such as this one http://www.usb-ware.com/ads-nas-drive-kit.htm that you can even set up permision levels and have an admin sort of setup. Nice little drive. I have one. Nice thing is when they come out with bigger drives you can bump it up also.

I understand what you was saying though. I was just going on the anount of PC's. I'm far from a geek but I do have my face imprint on this monitor and have been working very very hard at getting better. Been learning a lot about the server end of PCing so to speak.