So this is my first post on the forums I found the forum searching for ideas for a small business file server and have read quite a bit on the forums but I have come to the point that I would like some advice.
I have been asked to setup a file server/nas by a friend for his small business. it will be used to hold many many relatively small filles (currently on floppy disk (yes floppy) and usb flash drive) of course my first question was floppy are u sure? and they were! so I had to find a few usb floppy drives. but i digress.
they will have a total of maybe 1tb (not all from floppy some usb flash disks)
a max of 15 users at any time
all windows clients
at the same time I will also setup a gb network
I am not apposed to a nas device or building my own system (I prefere building)
I have experience with linux, although not opposed to a windows server I am much more comfortable in linux. I also dont mind learning a new system so long as it is well documented.
the most important things are of course reliability (uptime) and security.
I will build my backup plan based somewhat on the nas system (the owner likes the idea of cloud backup but im not convinced thats the best idea yet) as for security i would like users to authenticate in some way (windows logon credentials would be ideal but not required) also several users should be restricted from some directories.
as for budget that is somewhat open as of now... cash is of course always a consideration but lets face it they still use floppies so they do expect this to cost a bit. the plan as of now is for me to come up with 2 or 3 options and they will decide based on my list of pros/cons and price.
I have read about ZFS and like the idea. I especially like the idea of hot-spares. I will be maintaining the system/network but as I am also a fulltime student it would be nice if much of the maintenance could be remote. (i am also setting up a pfsense box and vpn access)
as for hardware they are a dell business and love their dell gear I on the other had hate the fact that dell Canada charges twice the price as dell US so hardware is open but if anyone would like to suggest a dell or else that would be great.
I appreciate any ideas or suggestions and am glad I found the forum I think it will be a great resource in the future.
-Jeff
I have been asked to setup a file server/nas by a friend for his small business. it will be used to hold many many relatively small filles (currently on floppy disk (yes floppy) and usb flash drive) of course my first question was floppy are u sure? and they were! so I had to find a few usb floppy drives. but i digress.
they will have a total of maybe 1tb (not all from floppy some usb flash disks)
a max of 15 users at any time
all windows clients
at the same time I will also setup a gb network
I am not apposed to a nas device or building my own system (I prefere building)
I have experience with linux, although not opposed to a windows server I am much more comfortable in linux. I also dont mind learning a new system so long as it is well documented.
the most important things are of course reliability (uptime) and security.
I will build my backup plan based somewhat on the nas system (the owner likes the idea of cloud backup but im not convinced thats the best idea yet) as for security i would like users to authenticate in some way (windows logon credentials would be ideal but not required) also several users should be restricted from some directories.
as for budget that is somewhat open as of now... cash is of course always a consideration but lets face it they still use floppies so they do expect this to cost a bit. the plan as of now is for me to come up with 2 or 3 options and they will decide based on my list of pros/cons and price.
I have read about ZFS and like the idea. I especially like the idea of hot-spares. I will be maintaining the system/network but as I am also a fulltime student it would be nice if much of the maintenance could be remote. (i am also setting up a pfsense box and vpn access)
as for hardware they are a dell business and love their dell gear I on the other had hate the fact that dell Canada charges twice the price as dell US so hardware is open but if anyone would like to suggest a dell or else that would be great.
I appreciate any ideas or suggestions and am glad I found the forum I think it will be a great resource in the future.
-Jeff