Is Your Business Ready For A Server?

• Is your current peer-to-peer network slow and unreliable?

• Does someone in your business spend a lot of time fixing network problems when they should be doing something else?

• Do you have five or more users?

• Are you planning on adding more users?

• Does your business use shared files or databases?

• Do your users need to share or have access to data, email, calendars and contacts from the office, home or on the road?

• Are you concerned about backups and security?

If you answered "Yes" to any of the above questions, your business may be ready to enjoy increased productivity and reduced downtime by upgrading to a client-server network. The Onsite PC Doctor will evaluate your business and give you a comparison between the cost of maintaining your current peer-to-peer network versus upgrading to a server-based network. For more information, contact us.

Peer-To-Peer vs. Client/Server Networks

Peer-to-Peer Networks consists of a group of connected computers where each machine acts as both a client and a server on the network and can share files with all other connected computers. There is no central server that controls user access or stores data on the network. All users log on individually to their PC and save files locally to be shared with other users. Therefore, all computers are "peers" to one another in that they all have equal authority on the network. Peer-to-peer networks are common in SOHO (small office/home office) settings.

Advantages:

• Relative ease of setup.

• Low initial cost for hardware and software.

• Good for small networks of 4 computers or less where internet/e-mail access and file and print sharing are the main needs and network security is not a major issue.

Disadvantages:

• Network reliability and performance becomes a problem when sharing files between several workstations.

• Maintaining organization of file and printer sharing throughout the network becomes increasingly complex and time consuming as more users share more files and printers.

• Network security is compromised without a central server to control user access.

• Sharing of email, address books, calendars and tasks requires 3rd party software with extra cost.

• Backups are labor intensive and prone to failure without a central server.

• Low initial setup cost is offset by ongoing higher maintenance expenses.

Common Peer-to-Peer scenarios:

• Households with multiple PC's that want to share a single cable or DSL internet connection for e-mail and web browsing.

• SOHO settings with 2-4 PC's that need e-mail, internet access and simple file and print sharing.

Client/Server Networks consist of a server which authorizes network access for all client computers and stores shared data and e-mail for access by the client computers, which are the individual desktop and laptop PCs that users work at. A client computer must log on to the network via the server to access resources on the network, such as applications, files, printers and e-mail. User names and passwords are stored centrally on the server rather than on each client machine (the opposite of peer- to-peer networks), insuring better security and easier administration. Besides logging on users, servers provide centralized access and storage for frequently shared files, printers, applications, e-mail and backups. Client/Server networks are found in business settings ranging from several computers to thousands of machines. 

Advantages:

• Network security is enhanced through centralized control of client access
  and data backup.

• Reliability is maximized by the use of network operating systems like Windows Small Business Server 2003.

• Configuring and maintaining file and print sharing throughout the network is more easily managed versus peer-to-peer networks.

• Large numbers of client machines do not adversely effect network performance.

• Users can easily access and share documents, email, address books, calendars and tasks from any computer inside or outside the office.

• Higher initial setup expense is offset by lower ongoing maintenance costs.

Disadvantages:

• Requires an IT professional to install.

• Higher initial cost for server hardware, software and installation.

Common Client/Server Scenarios:

• Small to large organizations that need secure, reliable 24/7 access to critical data. 

• For a small office with less than five users, minimal file sharing and no need to share email, calendars or address books, a peer-to-peer network will suffice, assuming it is properly installed and maintained.

• For offices with five or more users with constant file/database sharing and the need for remote access to data, email, calendars and address books, a client-server network is the most cost-effective, reliable solution. For more information and a quote on upgrading your network, contact The Onsite PC Doctor.