File Server and Domain Server

  • Thread starter Thread starter gourav.kc
  • Start date Start date
G

gourav.kc

Hi., I m working in a small organization which is basically a law firm
and have around 20 lawyers in that. We already have a wireless network
for printer sharing and access of internet. My seniors want to
establish a file server and domain server. So I need the information
about the configuration and requirements for establishing a wireless
file and domain server and security on wireless network.
 
If you mean "what differences does using wireless create?" then roughly:

Make sure you are using WPA encryption with a strong password/passphrase.

The server needs to have a fixed IP address, and it would probably be better
to connect it to the hub/router with cable to maximise throughput. (claims
for wireless speeds are vastly exaggerated)

DNS issues: Wireless tends to use DHCP (automatic IP address assignment)
However, for domain logon, you MUST have a suitable Active-Diretory-aware DNS
server, and this must be FIRST in the list of DNS servers provided to
wireless users. This may be a problem with some routers' built-in DHCP,
since the router often will automatically make itself the primary DNS server.
Solution is to disable DHCP on the router, and use the MS DHCP service.

(Of course, there is no reason why you can't use fixed IPs with wireless if
that is a simpler solution, but it does mean that laptops cannot connect
casually)

Speaking generally, the main headache you will hit if migrating any
workgroup to a domain -wireless or no- is that all users will lose their
local files and settings - they will effectively become fresh-out-the-box
noobs. This can be worked-around, but it will probably involve a good deal
more time than installing the server itself.

I market (well, give away) a product called MyLogon which might be of help
here. It allows existing users to connect to a new domain without losing
their settings. Whether it would be suitable depends on the kind of
domain-setup you require.

Hope this helps.


Disclaimer: Information given without warranty of any kind, either stated or
implied. (well, it's a _Law_ firm..)
 
Hi., I m working in a small organization which is basically a law firm
and have around 20 lawyers in that. We already have a wireless network
for printer sharing and access of internet. My seniors want to
establish a file server and domain server. So I need the information
about the configuration and requirements for establishing a wireless
file and domain server and security on wireless network.
Click to expand...

A "small" law firm of 20 lawyers (and how many support persons) should have a
domain, not a workgroup, if you're going to use your computers for anything
other than Internet access. So a file server and domain controller makes sense.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/setting-up-domain-or-workgroup-plan.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/setting-up-domain-or-workgroup-plan.html

A workgroup setup makes sense for a group that is:
* Trusting of each person.
* Small.
* Doesn't share multiple resources.
* Static.

I don't think a firm of 20 lawyers fits the workgroup model, if you're going to
have a file server.

Now it's OK to use WiFi (if properly secured) to connect the client computers,
but both the file server and domain controller need to be connected by Ethernet.
WiFi is a convenience, it is not reliable for a file server and certainly not
for a domain controller. The file server / domain controller needs to be
accessible 7 x 24 by multiple people (everybody on the domain).
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/wifi-will-never-be-as-fast-as-ethernet.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/wifi-will-never-be-as-fast-as-ethernet.html

You will need to have the router and servers in one location, preferably one
well secured. Not mobile. In a law firm, security has to take precedence over
convenience.

If the client computers are using WiFi, make sure that the network is secured
properly. WPA is the minimum appropriate security level for any WiFi network.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/setting-up-wifi-lan-please-protect.html

My suspicion is that, for a firm of 20 lawyers (how many computers total?), you
should hire a reputable and experienced local professional for advice. Due
diligence demands experienced professionals. From the level of detail provided
by your query, I think that would be wise.
 
Back
Top