Network setup - where to start?

[THawk]

Not sure where to post this, but I figured I'd try here.

Context: The Company - owns a building - 1 floor is our office, 2 - tenants.
Up to 10 tenants are using telecommunication services from us provided by ISP
(Inet thru ADSL). We have 5 PCs, switch and a router (D-Link DVA G3340S) and
XP box, working as a proxy with billing software.

Me - supporting the network (originally not set up by me) part time - basic
knowledge of networking - some experience in helpdesk - great desire to learn
more. Plus understanding of the fact that a lot needs to be changed in order
for the system to function properly.

In the future - deployment of network accounting program, providing VoIP
services to the tenants.

Question: where do I start?

 

[Malke]

Not sure where to post this, but I figured I'd try here.

Context: The Company - owns a building - 1 floor is our office, 2 - tenants.
Up to 10 tenants are using telecommunication services from us provided by ISP
(Inet thru ADSL). We have 5 PCs, switch and a router (D-Link DVA G3340S) and
XP box, working as a proxy with billing software.

Me - supporting the network (originally not set up by me) part time - basic
knowledge of networking - some experience in helpdesk - great desire to learn
more. Plus understanding of the fact that a lot needs to be changed in order
for the system to function properly.

In the future - deployment of network accounting program, providing VoIP
services to the tenants.

Question: where do I start?

It depends on how much time you have to get things working. From a
practical standpoint, you may wish to hire an outside
networking/security professional to come and set you up correctly.
Choose someone who is happy to have you tag along and learn.

If you don't want to do this, then only you know how you like to learn
things.

1. Reading on the Internet - here are some links:

http://www.technet.com
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.tomsnetworking.com
http://www.wown.info/
http://www.ezlan.net/index.html
http://www.howtonetworking.com/default.htm
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/

2. Reading books - only you know what you like but here are some
excellent books (Amazon links, TinyURLed):

http://tinyurl.com/33lnu3
http://tinyurl.com/36orwn
http://tinyurl.com/33lnu3

Go to a brick/mortar bookstore and look at network and security books
and see what appeals to you.

3. Practical, hands-on work - Set up a server network at home and play.
Be liberal in your use of imaging!


Malke

 

[THawk]

Thanks for the advice, Malke!
Where I'm at the choice of good outsourcing companies is scarce. Besides,
even if they do it right, it will still require support and maintenance which
is done much better on the system that you know and preferably set up
yourself.

I've pretty much decided to do it myself now.
But there's so much info out there that I have a hard time figuring where to
start.
Some of the resources that you recommended are new to me, thanks.

 

[John B]

So this is a two-story building. Give us an idea of the square footage of
each floor.
Some folks like wireless, but I consider it to be unreliable, especially in
large areas with metal structural elements. Wired networking is the cat's
meow, but is obviously more expensive and difficult.

Do you already have network wiring, such as Cat 5E, in place?

What about electrical power? Is it distributed generously, or sparsely?
IOW, how old is the building? A modern building should be generously fitted
with power, thanks to the NEC (Nat'l Elec Code.) I presume you're in the
USA, so tell us if it's otherwise.