network
 

I want to network 5 Computers togeter. They are remotly close. They call can be reached by a max 50FT cable. I can use any of the Windows OS. I Can buy a cheap server if u guys think it is needed. I have them put togeter with just switch and cat5 calbles. But ever other day im reseting the switch and spending 2-3 hours tring to get them to all connect to the share folder. And half the time it wont print on the shared printer. So you guys tell me what do i need to have a 5 computers network good. What do i need to have them ALWAYS connect to a shared folder and conenct the shared printer. If i need a server i will get one. LEt me know what i need to make this stable.

Here is what i need:
1. For it to not mess up ever freakin day
2. Share 1 folder
3. Share Printers
4. Share dsl connection

If it will do all that without me messing with it daily i will be happy. BTW atm im runin all WinXP pro.
I was thinking about buying Novell Small business Solution and A small business Server from HP or Dell or some place. But im realy getting over my head. But unforently i dont have the Cash to pay someone to do all this stuff so im looken to u guys to send me in the right direction. I am prettuy good with computers so i think i can handle it even know it my take me a while.

I think the latest routers from Linksys, or is it DLink, support SAN and USB printserving...

Read through those manufacturers websites and see what you can find. Heck, check Netgear while your at it. I read something about that in the last 2 weeks on one of those websites...

Off topic, but over the past 10 months that you've been here asking networking questions, I've become incredibly interested in where you work and why all this computing/networking power is necessary. Why does it seem to change every other week? Care to enlighten us, your gentle tech support staff? I'm not trying to be a smartass, because I am, genuinely, interested.

Well over the last months the place ive worked has went from having 1 computer in the office doing all the books to haveing 5. We have grown alot. And it seems like ever time i have something that works to have all the computers runing in sink for quickbooks it falls apart and we are down to 1 computer for a few days. Which realy kills keeping the books up to date. If it was possable for us to run off 1 computer we would. But its just not possable.

All i really want to know if What is a stable network that i wont half to mess with other than maybe a easy reset or tweak here and there. Not having stuff not work and crap.

Note: this is only 5 computers but its imporant that they always can work togeter or its totaly pointless

Here is what im thinking. Tell me what you guys think.
Find a Server on Ebay or Buy one of those cheap IBM or HP or Dell servers that are 500$.
Spent 500$ on Windows 2000 Server and 5 CAL licences. And buy better switches.

Tell me if u guys think this will be sttable of anything i need to change. Maybe something diffrent than the switches. I was planing on just hooking the DSL modem to the server with nother eternet port. And using ICS.

And Then just Sharing a Second small HD.

Do yu guys think my Switch may be the problem?

here is a little diagram i made up:
<img src="http://img.uuser.com/3034.JPG"

Why not get a Cisco 675 or 678 instead? They'll do pretty much everything you need in a DSL modem, including firewall, NAT, etc. etc. And they'll be very stable. You can get them for about $100 or so on eBay.

I can't answer for the issue you have with sharing, but it sounds like a software issue. Or maybe you've got faulty network cards. Or it could be the cables. Or the switch too.

I would suggest just getting a new switch, and don't get the cheapest on you can find. Spend a little extra on a good quality one. Keep the receipt, test it out, if you don't have the problems anymore, you're good. If it still doesnt work, take it back.

consider this a good switch?
http://www.ajump.com/ajump/product.a...f%5Fid=52J9290

No I don't, they are about the cheapest thing you can get, and btw I think one of the office stores had a 8 port linksys for like $10 after rebate

Alot of ppl like Linksys, I hate them, but like the parent company... for a Linksys one i would recommend http://www.provantage.com/buy-7LNKW0...8-shopping.htm

Personaly for a bussiness eviroment i Like Lucent/Avaya, or Cisco.. but they are not cheap..

If you want something cheaper the 3Com ones have been decent for me... http://www.provantage.com/buy-73COP0...1-shopping.htm plus it has Auto MDI-MDIX on every Port which is kida nice for some installs

one of the most anoying things to me about low end switches is that they use wall-warts and are very easy to come disconnected if someone is in the area messing around with anything causeing the network segment to go down...

can i get a half decent 8 port switch for 150$? or even 5 port i might be able to deal with