PC Pals Forum
Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: pcp on June 23, 2006, 12:51
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Hi
I am the system admin of a 25 computer office network in and it has
become a real horror to run and scan the network tasks. What do you
guys suggest can be done to automate this? Do you also feel the same
pain?
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what o/s are you using?
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what o/s are you using?
well, i am using windows xp with sp2 on all the systems.
thanks in advance for the help, sam.
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what o/s are you using?
well, i am using windows xp with sp2 on all the systems.
I presume you've got something like Windows 2003 on your server(s)?
I don't have any 'proper' server/client network experience (just a bit of peer-to peer) but I'm hoping to develop my skills in that field soon. This conversation is one I shall follow with particular interest.
Gill
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umm.... seem if you were using linux I could have probably given you a solution in no time (two reason, I know Linux / Unix and it is simple to do). I'll have a think later... and bug me if I dont get back to you in a couple of days!
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Would something like this do what you want ?
http://www.tethyssolutions.com/macro-automation.htm
Someone suggested it for finding the latest keys for decoding encrypted satellite channels off the net by using a key finder program then uploading the keys to satellite boxes automatically.
Sounds like an interesting program that may be worth investigating, especially as the keys are changing as quickly as every 15 minutes at the moment :roll:
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what o/s are you using?
well, i am using windows xp with sp2 on all the systems.
I presume you've got something like Windows 2003 on your server(s)?
I don't have any 'proper' server/client network experience (just a bit of peer-to peer) but I'm hoping to develop my skills in that field soon. This conversation is one I shall follow with particular interest.
Gill
Gill
Unfortunately, all the systems we have are *all* windows XP. No servers as such. Our work does not require us to have a *server*. The required filesharing is done through windows shares :)
Essentially, it's a poor-man's peer-to-peer-only network :)
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ewww to that! umm. a solution might be hard to find in this sense. I guess at the least, it wouldn't be automatic, you could use virtual desktops to monitor them all, do you do this?
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25 PCs and no server :shock: ?
What about security? You've no way of recording who's accessing what, despite the file share arrangements.
What about bottle-necks? You can't tell if the sytem is meeting your needs or if data on one client is too heavy. I don't know if you're using a router or a hub, but might data collision be a problem?
What about disaster plans? What about backups?
What about convincing your boss that it would be an economical use of your resources for you to configure a server which would automatically do the housekeeping on 25 clients. Right now you're looking after 25 individual machines - a server would enable you to look after 25 machines collectively.
Crikey, no wonder you need help automating administrative processes!
Gill
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What about bottle-necks? You can't tell if the sytem is meeting your needs or if data on one client is too heavy. I don't know if you're using a router or a hub, but might data collision be a problem?
a large decent router can take care of all that.
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What about convincing your boss that it would be an economical use of your resources for you to configure a server which would automatically do the housekeeping on 25 clients. Right now you're looking after 25 individual machines - a server would enable you to look after 25 machines collectively.
sounds like a good plan to be honest... that or look at a free linux solution, though I'm not sure off my head how you could get it to work with that many windows machines.
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a large decent router can take care of all that.
Indeed it could, Sam, but bottlenecks might be occurring elsewhere. For all we know, the cabling might not be up to the task. Wouldn't it would be difficult for a network manager to identify this without the sort of software that comes with a server?
Gill
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well there are free tools that you can use, since each machine will have a dedicated ip address you can see how fast the transfer rate is. Though you are right, with that many machines you really need a nice server, would make life so much easier.
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being not entirely sure what you want to do NetworkMagic might be a good start, it is a nice free program that allows you to find out useful info about devices installed on your network... LINK (http://www.download.com/Network-Magic/3000-2085_4-10544082.html?tag=tab_pub)
actually i just noticed there is a fee attached to it in the premium version.
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Was that program I found no good for what you wanted ?
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well, right now *most* of our requirements are satisfied with this setup..
but we can setup a linux/windows server if that solves all these problems in a systematic manner? what all can be accomplished by setting these systems up? can it take care of all the system maintenance requirements?
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Was that program I found no good for what you wanted ?
hi sandra!
my apologies first. i am new to the forums. i was befuddled with your post about satellite key downloads, and thought that it was a link to a tool that would help with that. in my state of confusion, it looked as if it were an advertisement posted by somebody; so i did not give it a try.
i will surely follow up on the link and let you know!
thanks for all the help
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what all can be accomplished by setting these systems up? can it take care of all the system maintenance requirements?
it depends, what exactly are you hoping to do ?? backups? antivirus? or what?
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i was befuddled with your post about satellite key downloads,
That part was the bit I am interested in as I have a satellite system with a motorised dish that needs "keys" to get the pay per view channels for free 8-)
When I looked at the program it seemed like it may have even more legitimate purposes, similar to what you require :)
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right now *most* of our requirements are satisfied with this setup.
What requirements do you have that aren't being met? And is this just your opinion or is it shared by everyone else who uses the network?
what can be accomplished by setting these systems up?
Big question! :D
Much will depend on how you want your network configured and what you are looking to gain from having a server. It would help if you could look at a map of your network and plot such components as your hardware, software, the requirements of each terminal user, the location of data that each terminal user requires... and anything else that you think is important to how your network runs.
can it take care of all the system maintenance requirements?
Almost certainly.
I'm going to ponder your second question for a while, then do a comparison of peer-to-peer and server-client networks that might be a useful starting point for a discussion. Bear in mind that my knowledge of networks is limited! I'm familiar with peer-to-peer systems but my knowledge of servers is limited to books I've read recently in preparation for courses I'll be attending this autumn. So hopefully I shall find this conversation enlightening as well as everyone else.
Gill
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Here's some thoughts on the benefits of introducing a server-client system. Of course, there would have to be a cost analysis too because servers ain't cheap. A data migration policy would also have to be devised, although modern server software does facilitate this.
Software upgrades take place on the server, not on individual machines. You don't have to individually upgrade your firewall or AV every few days. Nor do you have to download patches individually. Maintenance work can be scheduled for silent hours when the network is not being used, often automatically and without human input. Less time is spent synchronising individual computers. Maintenance operations can be automated with script-based and policy-based management tools. The server's "health" (and that of the network) can be monitored easily. Network bottlenecks and other limitations are easier to identify because software designed for this purpose is available.
Data distribution can place enormous demand on one computer if that machine stores the bulk of the data that is required. Instead of allowing the computer user to operate the machine, it spends a disproportionate amount of its resources accessing and supplying data to other users. A server distributes the data exchange loads evenly because you don't just have one terminal doing all the work. It is possible to install a server with a higher capacity cable to a router or switch, thus ensuring that individual terminals are not overworked. Servers are designed for one purpose and operate software which is also dedicated to this, whereas stand-alone workstations have software such as XP which is designed for single desktop use. This also facilitates the speedy transfer of data and enhances productivity by turning "wait" states into action. Data is always available; you don't have to hunt around for the right computer. Data transmission rates vary according to system usage, but it is commonly accepted that performance deteriorates once a peer-to-peer network exceeds between 5 and 10 work stations.
Backup is more certain and easier, because you just need to backup the one database, not several. It is also easier to restore the system in the event of a disaster, because there is only one batch of data to restore. If a client computer fails, the main server can easily restore lost data.
Security is easier to monitor because server software is based on "Kerberos", a much stronger system than that of work stations. Physical security is easier to maintain because only one machine needs to have enhanced protection. Floppy and CD drives on client computers can be disabled, improving security. It is also easier to make files available on a need-to-know basis.
A server can host web pages for employees or customers and it can co-ordinate staff activities more easily, such as holidays. Everyone can readily see what's been arranged. An internal mail system and even internal video conferencing become possibilities. Remote connection is also facilitated.
There are also scalability benefits in that additional servers can be added as the company grows with no impact on the rest of the system.
With peer-to-peer networks, you need to place a lot of trust in your network users' technical competence. The introduction of a server reduces the training commitment for end-users.