Does your business need a server
If your business has more than 6 full time employees, or equivelant working hours, then the answer is most probably yes.
While deploying a server can be more costly than most businesses would like, the 'pros' gained by using a server in the computing environment far outweigh any 'cons'.
What exactly is a Server?
Server Benefits
Which one?
BitFlow - Let your business I.T flow.
Most small businesses never bother implementing a client/server based network. Instead they just added on workstations to their old network.
Peer-to-peer networks don't provide you with much in the way of security and resource sharing.
So they often have problems with file sharing, lose data due to viruses or spyware, or experience intermittent Internet problems.
PCs networked in a peer-to-peer fashion are adequate when you only have a few users on the network, but once you have more than 5 or 6 users on your network, then you really need to consider a server.
Convincing a small business owner to make this type of investment can be difficult. Unlike larger companies, small businesses don't have the benefit of an IT department or the cash on hand to maintain a reasonable IT infrastructure.
However, network servers don't have to be expensive or complex for you to benefit from them.
Most people are under the mis-understanding that a server is the same as a desktop PC, but just has larger drives and most storage capacity.
This is not the case. While almost any PC can run the server operating system, that doesn't make it a server.
A desktop system is best for running a user-friendly operating system, desktop applications such as email, word processors etc.
Even if the desktop had similar processor speeds, memory and storage, it still isn't a replacement for a server, and the hardware, while seemingly similar, are actually manufactured to different specifications for different purposes.
A server is manufactured to store, process and make available data, 24/7/356. For this reason, a server needs to be far more reliable and robust than a desktop computer. In order to achieve these tasks, they offer features not typically found in desktop PC's. Some will include:
So what can a server do for you? Some of the more important features are the following:
#1 File and Network security
The most important role of a file server is the network security it provides. By having users and groups, with different, layered rights and security levels, people or groups can be assigned to different data stored on the network preventing unauthorized users from accessing materials. For example, the sales team doesn't need access to employee personal records which should only be accessible by HR.
#2 Increased reliability; less workflow interruptions
Most servers are equipped with redundant power supplies, RAID arrays and mirrored drive backups. With a secondary, the loss of one of the power supplies wont bring the server down and halt work flow. The same goes for a server's storage system. Unlike an average desktop PC that uses a single hard drive, a server will typically use multiple hard drives working in a RAID configuration to prevent data loss or an interruption in workflow.Drives in these RAID arrays can be pulled out ans swapped with a minimal interruption to day to day access. In some cases can even be replaced without bringing the server down at all. These RAID arrays are self building where the ramining drives will replace the data on the new one when it is introduced to the system.
"Hot swappable" components allow you to replace faulty hardware without interrupting the entire office. In addition, since all employee data is being stored on the network, if a user's workstation fails mid-workday, employees can access the same files from another workstation.
#3 Centralized data storage
With a server, all of the users on the network can make use of various network resources right from their desks, and even from home by implementing VPN technology
#4 Virus Management
This goes almost without saying. One of the greatest threats to your network is infection from viruses and malware. So having good, updated, anti-virus software installed on your systems is a necessity. Using a server managed anti-virus solution not only makes management easier, it allows the network admin to maintain confidence in the networks integrity knowing the alerts will come to them and not be left up to user who may think the alert isn't worth worrying about.
#5 Centralized Backup
All businesses should backup their data regularly. By having all of your company and employee data stored in one location, backups can be performed reliably and quickly. Today, almost any media type can be used for backups but the fastest growing area is online and NAS. To asses the level and regularity of the backups performed in your business, ask yourself this: "What would happen to the business if we lost every single piece of electronic data we have?"
If the answer is "We would fold", then you need to have reliable, daily and tested backups that can be restored efficiently and quickly .
If the answer is "It would be a big waste of time and life would be hard, but we would keep trading", then, although you still need good backups, you may not need to invest quite as much time or money into the process.
There isn't much to choose from. As far as operating systems, there is really only Windows or Linux. (Mac do make servers but they only work effectively in a total Mac environment)
While Linux can be very cheap for software, extraordinarily versatile in its capabilities, you will need an administrator capable on maintaining it properly and can cost more.
Windows is the standard most businesses go with because the serviceability and familiarity makes it more accessible.
The only thing left to decide is the power the server needs. This subject is not covered here because the variations are too great and each environment can change the hardware specs, which in turn greatly affects the hardware purchase costs.
Feel free to contact BitFlow Business I.T for a full network analysis with no obligation.