Well, to make a long story short before I even begin. I'll put this in list form.
1) Dad and business partners are building new pharmacy nearby.
2) I am the tech geek of my entire family
3) Dad asks me to set up his entire pharmacy network
[B]the setup requires, and what I already know how to do.[/B]
1) a server for the pharmacy software to run on (the software that allows pharmacists to fill prescriptions and print labels for meds, bill insurance etc.)
2) 3 workstations where the pharmacists will work (have the computers lined up already)
3) 2 Point of Sale systems (basically a computerized cash register, already own 2)
4) 2 normal computers for some mini offices in the basement
[B]I need help with:[/B]
Picking a reliable, powerful, cheap server.
Setting up the server to be ready for one of our suppliers to install their software.
Having reliable backup copies of the server's data just in case.
Creating some kind of domain that enables all computers to connect to the server and access its files.
A reliable battery backup for the server.
[B]ALSO:[/B] The pharmacy software we plan to use, is already in use by my dads own pharmacy. And after extensive research, it seems that the company supplying the software installs it on the server and has each neccesary computer run the program directly off the server, HOWEVER I am not absoulutely positive that this is the case. I would need to ask my dad to call up the company and discuss how the damn thing works.
So, facepunch, can you help me?
[b]Picking a reliable, powerful, cheap server[/b]
For this your best bet is to go with Dell/HP or other well established brands simply because of the customer service and warranty. The business solutions offered by the big guys are top notch. Its difficult to recommend a specific model though because the software and storage requirements are vague, an entry level current gen Dell PowerEdge or HP ProLiant would probably suffice though since it seems the business only has a few computers on the network. You'll want to take any kind of expansion to the business/network into consideration though.
[b]Setting up the server to be ready for one of our suppliers to install their software[/b]
The software suppliers can probably help you out with that, it will depend on the OS compatibility and whatnot.
[b]Having reliable backup copies of the server's data just in case[/b]
Every scenario for this kind of thing varies and everyone has their own methods. A second server hosted offsite from the pharmacy connected via encrypted VPN is how I've seen businesses setup their backups. Keep in mind the backups should never be kept at the location of whatever you're backing up, a fire for example would render the backup pointless as both the source and the duplicate data would be destroyed.
[b]Creating some kind of domain that enables all computers to connect to the server and access its files[/b]
There are lots of tutorials out there on how to setup domains but if you've never set one up before you're going to be pulling your hair out. I'll be honest its the kind of thing that if you're going to be relying on internet tutorials its probably time to call in someone who can get the job done right.
[b]A reliable battery backup for the server[/b]
Depends on what you're running off it, not being a fanboy or anything but all I've ever worked with in business environments is APC and I have yet to have any issues with them.
Dell - You can understand these people
HP- Apu in india helping you
For a server - [URL]http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=bedwkr1&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&model_id=poweredge-t310[/URL]
For NAS/BACKUPS [URL]http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=brctzy2&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&model_id=powervault-nx200[/URL]
Yes go with Dell, warranties and on site service can save your ass.
[B]
WHAT TO INSTALL ON THE SERVER[/B]
If at all possible use Hyper V as much as possible, do daily snapshots of data. Not going windows? Install ESX and run windows/Linux/BSD on it. Or just run Linux in Hyper-V
[B]
BACKUPS[/B]
Depending on your HIPAA compliance your backups should be
Saturday [B]FULL BACKUP[/B]
Sun - Fri Incremental Backups
Going with windows you can enable [B]shadow copies[/B] on you shares and save a lot of headaches.
[B]Creating some kind of domain that enables all computers to connect to the server and access its files[/B]
Making a Domain is piss easy in 2008/2008r2, it just looks scary. To Centralize files you can do 1 of 2 things
1. Folder redirects (via startup scripts)
2. Roaming Profiles (hard as a bitch, but a lot easier in the long run)
Use group policy ALOT
[B]A reliable battery backup for the server
[/B] Most UPS's will work, there are some nice features in 2008 that can help run backups or safely save data before the batteries run out, but I don't personally know where/howto do it
Does this sound hard?
Order this [url]http://www.amazon.com/70-646-Administrator-Microsoft-Official-Academic/dp/0470875070[/url]
[editline]28th March 2011[/editline]
Also make a master image of the client computers and use WDS to push it down(yes even if it is 3 computers it is a good disaster recovery solution)
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