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    #1

    Server Help

    I work at a small CAD Drafting firm using AutoCAD to draw blueprints and such. We have 5 computers networked together using one of those computers as a server for all the files. All the computers are running Windows XP Home and one of them is a laptop that connects wirelessly through a wireless router.

    This obviously is not a good setup. We constantly have problems with the server either freezing and dropping the connection or too much strain on the server due to file access activity - AutoCAD accesses the server every 5 minutes to autosave. When it can't connect, it freezes. :?

    So, basically, what would be the best thing to do here? Build a server machine and replace our current "server" with it? I've been told Windows XP Home can be a pain to network once you get more then 3 computers hooked up. Is this true?

    Ideally my boss wants to have all 5 computers as workstations with another purpose built machine running as a server.
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    #2
    XP pro can have up to 10 conections at a time, You might be able to get away with just an OS upgrade, depending on the specs on the "server" PC. Yes it is a pain in the ass to network like that in XP home. Having one PC setup as a server running XP Pro would be ideal until you need more than 10 PCs conecting to it at a time.
    Originally posted by KingB
    Scratch my back and I buy a prostitute for you, to rub your balls. HAHA now thats some funny shit.

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      #3
      I CANT hear you
      sigpic

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        #4
        I know, blow the server up!
        Be careful this time though!
        Yours truly,
        Rich
        sigpic
        Originally posted by Rigmaster
        you kids get off my lawn.....

        Comment

          #5
          First off, shitcan the wireless network. Get a wired 100mbit, or gbit if you'd like. You can get a decent 16 or 24 port gbit Netgear switch for the $300 range.

          As for OS on your server, upgrading everything to XP Professional is a start. If you want to get really imaginetive, give Linux a shot. Fedora Core 5 is a good platform and you can use Samba for Windows file sharing.

          Good luck!

          Tom
          My new blog site: http://www.tomperso.com

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by NitroRustlerDriver
            I work at a small CAD Drafting firm using AutoCAD to draw blueprints and such. We have 5 computers networked together using one of those computers as a server for all the files. All the computers are running Windows XP Home and one of them is a laptop that connects wirelessly through a wireless router.

            This obviously is not a good setup. We constantly have problems with the server either freezing and dropping the connection or too much strain on the server due to file access activity - AutoCAD accesses the server every 5 minutes to autosave. When it can't connect, it freezes. :?

            So, basically, what would be the best thing to do here? Build a server machine and replace our current "server" with it? I've been told Windows XP Home can be a pain to network once you get more then 3 computers hooked up. Is this true?

            Ideally my boss wants to have all 5 computers as workstations with another purpose built machine running as a server.
            I would bank on issues with the wireless..... If you can't afford nice equipment right now, you could go leaps and bounds by getting a cheap 8 port 10/100 switch. I to agree that this would improve your connectivity issues a bit.

            What the specs on the server? I'm assuming autocad is using program files from the server copy for it to run.

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              #7
              No, the server is only used as a place to save the project files we are using onto. That way everyone can access them. Only one computer is using wireless, all the others are wired using 10/100 ethernet thorugh an 8 port switch. Basically the cable comes intot eh cable modem, then goes out to a wirless router, then into an 8 port switch and out to 4 computers, one being the server. Then my boss connects a laptop wirelessly in his office.

              Another thing is that the printer we use is hooked to the server computer with a printer cable (old ass printer, we need a new one) and then everybody prints thorugh a shared printer through the server. Don't know if that is important or not. :?

              Comment

                #8
                Linux

                I would definitely set up a Linux/Unix server in this situation for a couple of reasons:
                1. It is completely free. You don't have to worry about paying for the OS / site / computer licenses or any of that BS that Microsoft makes you deal with.
                2. As many connections as you want.
                3. You can use the free software to setup almost anything you would want to do with Windows and more. It seems like you want to setup networked file sharing and printers.

                  This is done with Samba and it is available with almost every Linux/Unix distribution.
                4. It is more stable and secure.
                5. Documentation is all available over the web and through other users.
                The downside is that you'll have to learn how to set it up, but in my opinion it really is not that hard and is worth the trouble. Once it is set up, you really never have to touch it again. One user on this forum recommended Fedora Linux, a complete list of available distributions can be found at http://distrowatch.com/

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