Need help setting up/transferring small office network.

N

norrina

New Member
As a bit of background, I am the Jane of All Trades in a small office consisting of my boss and myself. This upcoming weekend, we will be moving from our current office to a new space. The server computer we have been using will not be coming with us, and the guy that was supposed to be helping/handling the transfer of everything to our new computer, and setting up the network in our new office, is flaking out. Which boils down to, yours truly needs to learn to network. And quick. :eek:

I don't even know where to begin.

I guess what I am facing is a two-part process, firstly how to configure a small office network and secondly how to successfully transfer all the pertinent information from one server to another.

The information I have been given thus far is that I need to save all the files from the network server to another computer and/or CDs, then save them back onto the new network server, and I guess map the drive as it was on the old server, so that the configurations on our networked computers are still useable? Does this sound kosher?

Heck, someone just starting asking me questions, because all I am going to do unguided is prove my ignorance.
 
Well it seems that you know what you going to be doing... I dont know how big these files, or how many... But it should not take more than a few minutes.

One thing you should make sure and find out. Will you be setting up the connection to the ISP? Or will the NEW server already be waiting for a plugin?
What I am trying to find out is if you have the peritnent information to get the internet up and running, as soon as you get there. Mapping network drives, saving files is easy, but if you loose or dont have the right information to make a connection(you could have a rough day).

I would save the files to CD (unless really big)... A hd is very easy to take out and put in a new pc as a backup.

What portion are you most worried about? Do you have the framework setup? Ethernet cables, routers/switches/hubs? Are they configured? If not do you know how to do that?
 
I tried saving all the files to my work computer today, and there were not that many of them nor were they very big. The process took about three minutes, I believe.

There appeared to be multiple drives mapped, but only the one with anything in it.

As far as the ISP, we will be connected to the landlord's WIFI for the first week or so, and then DSL after that. I will need to set up both connections, and am not too 'up' on how exactly that happens.

I had to use a router at home for DSL on my desktop and laptop. As I recall, there was an adapter of sorts that went to the phone line (at the office, our DSL will be on our fax line, I am told), then from there to the modem, out from the modem into the router, and from the router to the desktop and also to the laptop, if I choose not to utilize the airport connectivity.

I need to do a networking "shopping list". We are not taking any of the networking setup with us. The boss has ordered a new computer to act as our server, but until it gets here I am making do with an ancient Compaq operating on Windows 98. :o I am guessing we will need a modem, a router, and some cables. I suspect there are many different types of cables out there and I am going to need to somehow determine which specific cables I need. :eek:
 
Ok you say your going to be using the building WIFI, this should work IF the computers you have are already equipped with a Wireless network card.

If you want to go straight from the dsl connection to 1 computer you will need:
1 DSL Filter (goes into the phone port of the wall)
1 Short telephone cable (1-2ft to go from filter to modem)
1 Dsl modem (maybe be supplied by company)
1 ethernet cable (to go from the modem to the solo computer, could be the server)

If you want to branch out and have multiple connections from the dsl you will need:
The items above and...
1 router (wireless not required if already supplied, and usable year round from building ops)
1 cross-over cable (x-over) (to run from modem to router)
x Ethernet cables at Y length [How many computers do you need to set up (x) and how far does the cable need to run from the router to those PC's(Y)]

The setup of the solo computer will be done locally on that one pc, but if you have the router it will be done only through the router config page.
 
Thanks Trizoy. Our computers are not equipped with the WiFi card; however, my boss is under instructions to purchase one when he goes to Office Depot tomorrow, and he is supposed to be consulting with his computer minded brother on that, so here's hoping we get what we need... The modem we think is coming with our DSL, but if it doesn't we can go get that quickly enough. There is a Uniden router and a bunch of CAT5 cable at the boss' house, so he is bringing that in tomorrow.

Let the games begin. :rolleyes:
 
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