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Small Business ComputingFrom security concerns to software selection, this is the place to ask your fellow small-business owners how to approach and improve your small-business computing.
I have sort of a dumb question and don't know where to ask.
How does a local doctors office computers work together on a network server? Is there any diagrams and text explaining all of this?
Let's say a local business has 6-8 offices and needs a computer connection in each office to a main Network Server in this business office. No Internet connection needed, they just need to share infomation with each other. What does each office need to connect to it's main server? Does each office have to have a complete computer system with a hard drive to network to their main server?
There are a lot of different ways to handle this. The least expensive overall is going to involve a very basic PC at each remote office, with an Internet connection to allow them to each talk to the main server. The server will have to be fairly powerful if they would like any kind of decent performance, since the server will be assuming most of the computing tasks. If you know what information they want to share, as well as what productivity options (Office, etc.) they would like, I could be more specific in answering.
I'm curious about this myself. What sort of OS would you recommend the server run? Or is that determined by the application software the client is wanting to use?
That's a tough call. There are several different network OSs out there that will fill the bill. Personally, I'm partial t Microsoft. I know a lot of people don't like them, but they've always worked well with me, and they're much more responsive than anyone else I've found. That being said, I'm a huge fan of Microsoft's Small Business Server 2003. It comes in two editions, one with basic file and print sharing plus the Exchange e-mail server, the other also including SQL for database use and ISA Server for secure Internet usage. The two biggest competitors to that are Novell 6.5 and RedHat Linux. Both are good products, but they require more hand-holding, so I don't think that they fit the SMB space as well as SBS2003. If you want, I can go over what kind of set-up I'd build for you, if you want. the key part of that is knowing what applications you are running, and building to those requirements. If I'm not being clear, let me know, I'll try to do better...
That's an interesting question, but sort of vague. A few things that might help provide an answer would be:
Are the offices within the same facility, or separate physical locations?
If separate locations, how distant are they?
What sort of information would these offices be sharing?
Would there be personnel dedicated to maintaining this set up, or are you looking for a "plug and play" solutions?
Are there any privacy issues regarding the information shared (that is, would these be medical records or anything else that would require limited or restricted access)?
Would remote access (from other than any of the office locations) be desired, either now or in the future?
What, if any, computer set up is in place right now?
This would be a most basic list of concerns before a really useful answer could be provided. With the answers to these questions (by no means a complete list), I'm sure that a satisfactory answer can be provided.
We have been running our church office (about 15 computers) off a Windows NT server for the past 7 years. I have a new Dell server coming which I plan on using the new MS Small Business Server 2003. All this should take place hopefully in March. We do outsource our e-mail and webpage, so I don't have to deal with those issues. We generally use the server for our church software, database, and file storage. Believe it or not the present server is a old Pentium 200/9 Gig HD/512 Mg memory. All the computers are running MS Office and other software based upon each individual's needs.
I have a Xerox copier networked, then most everyone has a small printer running off of their desktop computers. This can be expensive in terms of ink cartridges. I would suggest only using a couple of lasers (or whatever) that can be shared by different areas.
Anyway, I guess this means that most anything is possible! Hope this helps to know what someone else is doing.
Take a look at the Axentra Office Server line at (www.axentra.com), particularly the model S-200. Keep an eye out for it as it will be introduced in early April (and no... I don't work for Axentra). In addition to a whole bunch of facilities, it has a built-in VPN/intranet/file synch/file server functionality that will let you connect to it remotely to share files. The intranet function is nice too as it will help coordinate your users.
A Virtual Private Network is probably the best answer to the initial question. This is best accomplished in a small setting like that with a VPN termination device at each office location, with a server located at one of the offices. Each office will need some intnernet connection, preferably broadband, and the network remains private but encrypted traffic is "tunneled" through the internet. What this means is that each office computer that needs connection to the server has a mapped drive, such as "P:" which points to a shared folder on the server. I have created a number of VPN's this way and it's really not that difficult. I would recommend the Netgear FVS318, since they are about $98 and terminate a VPN nicely.
Since I am here, I might as well insert my opinion about the operating system. If you are sharing files, in my opinion the best OS for the server is Linux running "Samba", which allows Windows clients to attach to shares as if it were a Windows server. The main benefit is that the OS is free, whereas Windows 2000 Server is $1000 just for the software. The second benefit in my experience is that the Linux machine will run and run and run without requiring a reboot. I know of one that is serving a small business of 18 users and is functioning in this manner and as a mail server and hasn't had to be rebooted in 18 months. There is almost certainly someone in your area that could configure such a Linux machine. And of course, people can do it all remotely as well. Best of luck, let me know if you have any questions about the VPN.
I would recommend running a dns server (resolver) within your network if you plan to run your own network server. This will speed up your network considerably as well as making your network more secure.
The most efficient way to do this would be for each branch office to have an internet connection (go with something basic). Then you could setup a VPN to the main office. In the main office you could run SAMBA/Windows Server for domain controll and/or file sharing.
Samba is the linux solution that would keep licensing issues down, however a windows server solution allows you more flexibility. With windows server you can push patches, updates (keep those worm infections down), and software to users. You can also do remote installation of workstations (RIS).
Alot of this depends on your needs. If you are worried about doing this yourself, call several local consultants and ask their opinions and see which one has the best/lowest price solution.
Another way, and this depends on the type of information that needs to be shared, would be just to give each branch location internet access and share information through some type of web portal/collaboration software. Many open source versions can be found, and hosting of web sites is really inexpensive now a days.
Overall, if your going to be sharing a good deal of large files, go with the first option. Otherwise, you can go with the web based collaboration.
As for the complete computer part, no they do not have to be high end machines. You could spend under $500 for each computer and have them as "dumb terminals" of a sorts. If they are just going to be doing web browsing (or collaboration option) then the machines obviously do not need to be high end. If they are participating in a domain (samba/windows server option) they need to be running windows 2000/xp so they will need to be decent machines.
Regardless, the machines will still have to have a hard drive and will have to be complete machines, they just dont have to be the latest and greatest pentium 4's. Web browsing is not that demanding, but domain computers need 2000/xp.
I have actually setup a VPN network for a local medical research company and it was very straight forward. You want VPN devices that will not only provide high speed connection from remote offices to the main office, but you also will want to have it as secure as possible. With medical companies Hippa will require you to have high security when transfering data across the internet.
The Main office has a compaq server with SBS running on it. Each site has a DSL connection with a Sonic Wall SOHO3 device. There is a constant connection between both sites, so getting access to the main office is never a problem.
Each device is about 300 to 400 bucks. A little more than the type you buy at Bestbuy, but much better in quality and features. With sonic wall you can also content filter websites, which is nice for blocking porn and other things people may come across. You can aslo run McAfee Anti-Virus directly off the device. So all data that comes into the networked environment is scaned for viruses.
Their system has been up and running for a year now without even a hiccup.
As you can see from most of the previous posts, there are basically 2 options when it comes to Operating Systems- Microsoft or LINUX based. I agree with an earlier post that the new MS Small Business Server is very impressive and provides lots of functionality for a very attractive price. But, you should also consider the LINUX based solutions. I know first hand of a company out of Toronto, Net Integration Technologies, that has a very good SMB solution. I will admit up front that we are a VAR for them, but also we do lots of Microsoft so we make a recommendation that is best for the client. If you are just getting started, and it sounds like you are, it is easier to adopt the LINUX solution since you have not already made a big investment in Microsoft yet. The Net Integrator that this company offers provides the built in firewall, VPN, and tape backup. Also, their OS makes installation relatively easy for the small office. They also provide an email package that has all of the features you would need callled ExchangeIT. I like this solution since it puts all of the different copmponents into 1 box while making the installation and management as easy as possible. feel free to email me with any questions on the MS or Net Integrator,
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