Server Recommendations
There are currently 3 different options for the server system to be set up at your house.
All of the options will need:
Installed Applications:
- Act
- Sage
- Excel
- Word
Separate Logons for:
- Cheryl
- Darren
- Robert
- Dan
Each logon should contain access to a central area that contains files and applications.
Each logon will also link back to the local machines printer for printing at home. This can easily be done by installing the printer drivers onto the remote server. When the client logs in to the server, the printer will automatically be detected and can be used. When the client logs off; all the print jobs are lost and the printer becomes disconnected.
Each logon will need to be configured so that it can be accessed remotely using Remote Desktop this can be done using Computer Management. To set this up I will need to open computer management and go to: Local Users and Groups> Groups> Remote Desktop Users> Add> Advanced>Find Now; then I will select the names from the list and click OK>OK>OK and close computer management, the computer should then be restarted.
Option 1 is a Dell Optiplex 320. This has a 3.06 GHz Processor, 2 GB Ram and an 80Gb Hard Drive. It has Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2. This comes to a total of £401.85 with postage, packaging and VAT when bought through a small business on the Dell website. This is a small desktop computer that will easily fit in the cupboard.
The Computer will need to be configured to allow multiple remote desktop connections, as it will currently only allow one logon at a time.
Option 2 is a Dell Poweredge SC440 Server. It has 1 GB of Ram, an 80 GB Hard Disk and a 3.3GHz processor. It will need to be bought through a small business again, with windows server edition installed. This comes to a total of £632.15 with VAT, postage and packaging. This server may have problems fitting inside the cupboard as it is the largest of the three options.
Option 3 is using the current 3.6 GHz, 512Mb Ram and 111 GB Hard Disk Dell that you already have. With some tweaking this will allow multiple remote desktop connections. This is free and will be the easiest option. Also, it already has the installed applications.
All of the options will need security and firewalls, such as AVG. They will also need to be plugged into the router instead of a wireless connection, as wireless connections will almost certainly slow down remote logins and sessions. For option 3 a limited user can be set up, this user will only be able to access what you tell them to, by default they will not be able to access system files. A limited user cannot install things or make system wide changes either. The user should created, during the creation steps it should be set to a Limited user rather than an Administrator.
