Can someone recommend a Workgroup Server that features
Hyper-threading technology, DMZ firewall configuration,
with future scalablity/upgrade and support Network
Management tools. Over 700 workstations of which 150
Pentium II PCs and the remainder Pentium IV PCs (CAD/CAM)
to be linked in a four-story building. Network Operating
Systems to be considered are Fast Ethernet and/or Gigabit
Ethernet Windows 2000/2003 with fiber optic backbone.
Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
first, get your buzz words figured out, then go talk to a couple companies
that specialize in that type of stuff.
'workgroup server' is probably not what you want for an operation that
size... in fact that is kind of an oxymoron since workgroups don't need
servers.
hyperthreading is cute, but for real workhorses that will serve hundreds of
cad/cam workstations you will probably need a cluster of multi processor
servers.
dmz firewall's should be independent of your servers. use routers to set up
the dmz and lan/wan divisions, not the server, it will have better things to
do that playing router in addition to serving that many users.
'network operating system' is not 'ethernet'. this used to refer to things
like netware that were specific operating systems designed to share stuff
over a network, windows essentially has that built in so you don't need a
separate 'network operating system' today. picking the speed of your
ethernet depends on what hardware is installed in your existing machines and
the wiring in your building. windows can handle whatever speed the hardware
can carry, so the version of windows you use doesn't rely on the speed of
the network.
my recommendation might be to first hire someone who does this stuff
professionally, there are lots of consulting companies out there from local
independents all the way up to ibm itself who will come in and evaluate your
existing system and make recommendations that make sense. its much easier
than trying to figure it out on your own from a list of buzz words.
