Server/VPN Question... no help at PC World

jobber_2

I run a small office based co. and I am taking on an additional member of staff next month.

Need a server for 2 machines but room to add another couple as and when. Need VPN so I can access info from home. And also Microsoft Licence for the Operating System.

Can some tell me in plain english what I need and how much I could get this for?

Can a layman set this up or will I need to get a pro to get it for me?

sandroad

When it comes to setting up your Server and VPN tunnel, a Layman could do it with the correct docs but best left to someone who knows what they are doing.

How many people will you ultimately have in your company?

Also, if you have your own domain name, Google has a beta going of the free gmail service, excel spreadsheets, etc that you can use solely for your company's use.

Direct quote from the site

"Now you can offer private-labeled email, IM and calendar tools to all of your users for free*, so they can share ideas and get things done more effectively. You can design and publish your organization's website, too. It's all hosted by Google, so there's no hardware or software for you to install or maintain."

There are other options out there like Microsoft Small Business Server which goes to a max of 25 users, i think, if memory serves me.

Let me know what you are trying to accomplish and I will see what other things I could recommend.

Regards,
Sandroad

DrBenway

You need to work out exactly what functions the server is to provide first and for how many people (remember to include expansion). And from there work out what type of server you require.

You mention "Need a server for 2 machines". Is this just 2 people with windows who want to save a few docs and spreadsheets centrally and send and receive emails? If so it is likely you could get away with a VPN router some central storage like a NAS server and an ISP will multiple mailboxes where you can forward domain mail to.

Setting up a VPN for a couple of on/off teleworkers is fairly trivial with lo-cost routers like draytek out there. But you may not need a hardware VPN if you go for a server that includes VPN like Windows Server 2003.