Setting up small business network

[s.Neo]

Well, throwing it out there for an alternative to Microsoft's SB server. There's eBox (http://ebox-platform.com/) - its a linux distro designed for corporate networks, and is easily manageable through a web interface.

[Flohrie]

Originally Posted by chunksoul

Stuff...

I agree with you mostly, they often aren't required.

It is still a suggestion though and as I said they've been very reliable for me.

[4wardtristan]

I'm not sure why everyone says its DEATH but as I said I'm no MYOB expert, all I know is that its been working fine

ill also chip-in how pathetically shit myob over lan is.

we have implemented the xpunlimited things a few times, works wonders but i to questions the legality of it, also keeping current with patches might (actually, i think it does) break it.

dont install it with a xp cd in the drive though, and certainly dont run sfc /scannow, ever.

[CordlezToaster]

Originally Posted by Crusher

Main thing I will say immediately is that myob over the LAN is a recipe for disaster. After years and years of being roasted, its still the most horrible unreliable, prone to corruption network app created.

If you are going to run it on the server, run it via terminal services and access the files from the servers local drive.

For your environment, probably a SBS 2003/2008 package from a hardware vendor like HP, Dell or Acer is the easiest method.

If you can forgo the myob on the server idea and just need a file share box, something like a nas or a box running clarkconnect may suit just fine

ditto, myob is a pos over the lan.

[Yak]

Originally Posted by Flohrie

Can you elaborate a bit more on this??

I've set up numerous SBS servers for small clients and it has been a breeze every single time. I realise the OP doesn't have that much experience but I'm not sure what he could possibly stuff up?

As has already been recommended a vendor hardware SBS solution would be fine. I'll even recommended a HP ML150, these come with mirrored drives for a bit of redundancy. I have deployed 12 of these and all have been solid little servers.

Small Business Server comes with exchange built in (although you don't have to use it, but its there) as well as things like Remote Web Workplace (are you ever away from your systems but still need access??), which are rather handy.

On top of that even some simple USB backup drives that you could take offsite would suit you. Simply swap one over each night and take away!

I also have 3 clients running MYOB across the LAN. I have very little experience in MYOB but just keeping the files on the server has been working for all of them. I'm not sure why everyone says its DEATH but as I said I'm no MYOB expert, all I know is that its been working fine.

+1 for all of what has been said above..
An oem copy of SBS bundled with (say) an HP ML150 is good value. You get a good warranty on your hardware, and the feature set of SBS is great.
To a small business features like calander sharing/webmail/remote access can be very useful. Not to mention a single backup point for email.

Avoid linux unless you want to spend hours agonising over which smtp mailserver you want to install. Linux is like printer ink cartridges, the OS is free but the "productive" time you spend on it on can cost you a fortune.

Make sure you have decent backups!
Make sure you have decent backups!
Make sure you have decent backups!

I have lost count of the number of times that myob running standalone, has not be included in the backups. Network it & exclude it from the AV scanning on the server..

Oh & did I say?
Make sure you have decent backups!
(That are taken offsite!!)

Yak.

[DavoRulz]

MYOB via LAN = ultimate fail as mentioned before. I've inherited a MYOB LAN setup with ~10 users, holy fuck it has issues.

I think I've almost talked my boss around to looking at more network friendly software.

[Smoke87]

You can get an MYOB server product that will integrate your previous node to node setup almost seamlessly.

Agreed accessing MYOB files over network is a fucking disgrace, MYOB sucks.