Big time help with setting up a small network...

Shaun Hare · 10-28-2004, 06:22 PM

I was wondering if anyone could help me on the project that I am doing for school. I have been a part of the IT Networking program in my school for a while. Unfortunately, I have spread my classes out so I’m not at the top of my game (not even close). I have never really had any hands-on experience of setting up networks. The project I am involved in is called Capstone. It brings all the IT areas together into one big final project (Database, Web Design, Programming and Networking). Basically there is a made up company, a Chiropractic company, and this company is the client. What this company wants to be able to do is convert medical forms in which they fill out by hand and they want to be able to enter them on the computer and store them. They want their computers networked together and access to the Internet for at least one computer because a web page will also be designed. They also want all the medical forms secure so outside parties cannot view them.

The problem I have is this. There are four people total involved in this project. I am the only network person and I have very little knowledge in setting up a network on my own.

I will be using Windows 2000 as my operating system. I know that much at least. Should I install Windows 2000 Server on the computer I use as the server and then install Windows 2000 Professional on the three PCs? I know our school’s client software is Novell. Should I use Novell?

What equipment do I need? Any equipment I request can be provided to me by the client (my instructor). Should I use a router or a hub to hook the computers together? I know we can use the school’s backbone. How do I go about just hooking up three computers and a server and incorporating them on the same network?

The client wants a computer for each exam room (2) and one for the receptionist/registered nurse (1). Will three workstations be enough? For your information, since this is “made-up” all the computers will be located in the same room.

What kind of server should I use? Can it be another workstation solely used for the server? What requirements are needed? The database will be located on the server and the database will be fairly small. A web server is also needed. Can they both be on the same
server?

The tasks that I will have to complete are:

- Determine hardware and software requirements for the Database Server.

- Install and configure Database Server.

- Design and implement a network prototype (one server and one client) to host the project.

- Create and install required hardware and software to build the network prototype.

- Create a comprehensive security plan to include user and group accounts with appropriate login restrictions, rights and permissions.

- Develop and implement a strategic plan for creating users or groups to secure program data and home folders.

- Implement security measures through the Web Site to ensure proper access limitations.

Create a Web Server on a local computer to support access to the project.

I know this is a lot to ask but I would really appreciate any details or help.

Eventually I need to set security restrictions etc. but I’m just worried about how to get the network setup. Basically if you can provide me with some sort of step-by-step of how I can setup this network I will be forever grateful; any help will be appreciated greatly. I am nervous about completing this solely by myself and I have no one else to ask.

***At the very least I want to be able to get started setting up the network so if you can get me going that would be great.

Thank you,
S.H.

Tooslow · 11-01-2004, 02:35 PM

I can offer a little advice on the hardware/network config. so here I go.

I would set one computer up as a server, for this I would use win 2000 server and use this server/computer for multiplee tasks,(SQL server/web server).

This server would be responsible for the storing of the client database ( working on partitioned HDD), for hardware I would run one dsl modem/router connected to a hardware firewall. this would then run to a 8 port switch.

I would use a firewall that has the ability to operate as a DHCP server so as to give better control over the network security.

From here it would be a matter of deciding whether the one server is suffice for the opperation and whether you wanted to include an exchange server as part of this setup.

Sorry if this is a little brief, but as I said working from limited info here.

Hope this helps get the project in motion.

10-28-2004, 06:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Shaun Hare Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2 OS: Win2K	Big time help with setting up a small network... I was wondering if anyone could help me on the project that I am doing for school. I have been a part of the IT Networking program in my school for a while. Unfortunately, I have spread my classes out so I’m not at the top of my game (not even close). I have never really had any hands-on experience of setting up networks. The project I am involved in is called Capstone. It brings all the IT areas together into one big final project (Database, Web Design, Programming and Networking). Basically there is a made up company, a Chiropractic company, and this company is the client. What this company wants to be able to do is convert medical forms in which they fill out by hand and they want to be able to enter them on the computer and store them. They want their computers networked together and access to the Internet for at least one computer because a web page will also be designed. They also want all the medical forms secure so outside parties cannot view them. The problem I have is this. There are four people total involved in this project. I am the only network person and I have very little knowledge in setting up a network on my own. I will be using Windows 2000 as my operating system. I know that much at least. Should I install Windows 2000 Server on the computer I use as the server and then install Windows 2000 Professional on the three PCs? I know our school’s client software is Novell. Should I use Novell? What equipment do I need? Any equipment I request can be provided to me by the client (my instructor). Should I use a router or a hub to hook the computers together? I know we can use the school’s backbone. How do I go about just hooking up three computers and a server and incorporating them on the same network? The client wants a computer for each exam room (2) and one for the receptionist/registered nurse (1). Will three workstations be enough? For your information, since this is “made-up” all the computers will be located in the same room. What kind of server should I use? Can it be another workstation solely used for the server? What requirements are needed? The database will be located on the server and the database will be fairly small. A web server is also needed. Can they both be on the same server? The tasks that I will have to complete are: - Determine hardware and software requirements for the Database Server. - Install and configure Database Server. - Design and implement a network prototype (one server and one client) to host the project. - Create and install required hardware and software to build the network prototype. - Create a comprehensive security plan to include user and group accounts with appropriate login restrictions, rights and permissions. - Develop and implement a strategic plan for creating users or groups to secure program data and home folders. - Implement security measures through the Web Site to ensure proper access limitations. Create a Web Server on a local computer to support access to the project. I know this is a lot to ask but I would really appreciate any details or help. Eventually I need to set security restrictions etc. but I’m just worried about how to get the network setup. Basically if you can provide me with some sort of step-by-step of how I can setup this network I will be forever grateful; any help will be appreciated greatly. I am nervous about completing this solely by myself and I have no one else to ask. ***At the very least I want to be able to get started setting up the network so if you can get me going that would be great. Thank you, S.H.

11-01-2004, 02:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tooslow Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 28 OS: XP-PRO SP1	I can offer a little advice on the hardware/network config. so here I go. I would set one computer up as a server, for this I would use win 2000 server and use this server/computer for multiplee tasks,(SQL server/web server). This server would be responsible for the storing of the client database ( working on partitioned HDD), for hardware I would run one dsl modem/router connected to a hardware firewall. this would then run to a 8 port switch. I would use a firewall that has the ability to operate as a DHCP server so as to give better control over the network security. From here it would be a matter of deciding whether the one server is suffice for the opperation and whether you wanted to include an exchange server as part of this setup. Sorry if this is a little brief, but as I said working from limited info here. Hope this helps get the project in motion.