DIY or Commercial Law Office Server Help

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djannexalpha

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Apr 27, 2009
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Greetings!

So...here is my predicament. Hopefully some senior members might be able to help me.

Current situation: Got a job working for a friend of mine, Attorney, and the first thing I noticed was that the computers are aging(big time). The file server in place consists of a computer with a hard drive that stores ONLY word documents, some video files(cases), and PDF's. My predicament is this. She knows that I am a computer tech and an electrical engineer and has seen custom work I have done. She finally gave me the green light to replace ALL the computers in the office with me custom building each of them. I will list the specs below:

Current Office Setup (4 Desktops):
-Reception Computer
-Old Desktop, used as office server to host files and work from
Router: Old router that costs $46, she bought it less than a year ago. Some tech charged her $200 for the router itself, basically scammed her telling it was top of the line. Don't remember model number but it was a Asus RN something.
-Internet
-Earthlink
Getting 1mbps download on each computer, unacceptable. Out of contract, already reading over a 50mbps contract agreement with comcast for $300 a month.

The next issue is a choice for a server:
1- Raspberry Pi 2 Model be with an external hard drive as the server
2- Continue Current setup, use reception desktop as a server.
3-Commercial server


Future Build
-Computers
Samsung 850 EVO 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III
WD Blue 1TB Desktop Hard Disk Drive
Corsair Vengeance 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR3 1600 MHz PC3 12800 240-Pin DDR3
EVGA 500 W1 80+, 500W
Corsair Air Series AF120
Asus 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive
AMD FD6300WMHKBOX FX-6300 6-Core Processor Black Edition
ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-02 Mid Tower

-Router
NETGEAR - Nighthawk Dual-Band Wireless-AC Router Model:R7000-100NAS
-Currently using this one at home. Upgraded from an Amped Wireless R1000
Asus - 802.11ac Wireless Router with Print Server Model: RT-AC3100
NETGEAR - Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router Model: R8000-100NAS
NETGEAR - Nighthawk X8 AC5300 Model: R8500-100NAS



Unfortunately, none of my friends are actually technologically capable. As such I have to resort to asking for your opinions. Please advise. Thank you!









 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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Is there a secure (lockable with appropriate airflow) that a dedicated server could be. The problem with the "server" in the reception area is physical security. You DON'T want it easy to steal.

Router -- Get a business class WIRED (probably VPN) router. Use an access point and put all wireless on as a guest network so that the probability of contaminating the client files with a crypto locker or other NASTY virus is minimized.

Use a separate switch to connect all the computers. Sensitive client data shouldn't be primarily on WIFI. Even with WPA it wouldn't be secure enough to stand up in court (check with the lawyer) ...

Desktop computers in an office environment are better off with a locked i5 CPU using the IGP. You might want to get motherboards that support the TPM to allow encryption.

I don't think you need a server, you probably just need a NAS. Get a Synology, QNAP, Thecus. I would look at a 4 disk unit. Create two RAID 1 volumes and backup between them. Then use USB3 or eSATA to create backups that can be carried home for off-site backup.
 
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djannexalpha

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-Location
Not as secure as I would like. The closet is packed with old case files that I am currently scanning in as PDFs and uploading them into the corresponding client files to get rid of them. Painstaking process but should free up the closet soon. I am the only actual tech person she knows, I will attach some photos of the cluster **** the previous "technician" did. Its horrible.





Yes, the switch is actually hanging in the air...like it doesn't even care.



-Router
I am currently looking into a business class router but I am not too thrilled about some of the spec sheets for the price.

-Switch
Looks like there is already one hanging in the air, not sure if it supports Gigabit transfer speeds though.

-Nas
Currently looking at a Synology DS414j or the QNAP TS-431.
-Desktops
Trying to stay as cheap as possible using quality parts. I have had an AMD FX 4100 for the past 4 years never had an issue. The i5 starts at $200 while the AMD 6 core at $98.


Current Office Server Setup


Future Setup?
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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An i3 Skylake like this would get dual core with hyperthreading and a good IGP. I don't see a graphics card in your parts list. I think you should do a little research on the Intel TPM platform. The other thing I don't see considered in your parts list is software. OS, Office, etc... When all these other potential costs and the benefit of factory support, it may be better to just get prebuilt HP or Dells.

I would bring the NAS to the switch rather than the router.

The Edgerouter]https://www.ubnt.com/edgemax/edgerouter-lite/]Edgerouter Lite[/url] or EdgerouterX might be a good choice for a router. Something that supports a VPN end point so that lawyer(s) can log in securely from home.

A WIFI access point like the Ubiquity could also be moved out of the closet to the office. Looks just like a smoke detector so it is almost invisible. The EdgerouterX has POE to power the AP. Multiple SSIDs available so a guest network can be implemented.
 
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djannexalpha

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Well the graphics cards will most likely be a simple $40-$60 Nvidia card. Those routers look very interesting, especially the access point. The problem is that two of four of the computers are prebuilt Dells and they cost $700 a pop and are only 3 years old. I can build desktops for that same price point and they will still annihilate anything that Dell or HP prebuilds. The software on all the desktops is legitimate so I can just transfer over all the keys, Outlook, MSO, etc. I am not sure if she wants an Access Point to be able to work at home.(She's the kind of "leave work at work" person). Will talk to her in a few when she comes in. There is much to discuess. Will let you know more, but that NAS server will be a must...she doesn't even have a UPS in the office for the reception computer which stores all the files. Luckily I started making weekly offsite backups when I first started working here.
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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The UPS that is shown, check to see if it has USB connectivity. If so the Synology can monitor it and CLEANLY shutdown before the battery runs out. If not, I would recommend a UPS upgrade as part of the "closet overhaul" ...

Hopefully you are getting some pay for this work ...
 
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djannexalpha

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I don't think the UPS has USB port...let alone work...the screen is blank lol This is a simple case of being overcharged by some hack technician who cannot even properly crimp wire ends. The NAS Server, Router, Switch, Internet Modem, and Internet Modem will all need a reliable UPS... This will be a fun overhaul, can't wait =D

Yeah she will throw something my way. Honestly, everything this woman has done for me as a friend and a boss I feel bad about charging her. I have had crappy bosses who used my technology skills to do computer work at the threat of being fired lol
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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For my home (shows how much of a geek I am) ... I have been using the APC Smart-UPS and especially the Smart-UPS Online (double conversion) UPS. I have purchased these on E-Bay for cheap. Replaced the batteries and been good-to-go. Unfortunately a Smart-UPS online is about an $800 new device. I have gotten them for $300 that were new on E-Bay. Good UPS isn't cheap. But both the Smart-UPS and Smart-UPS online series can have an ethernet interface (Synology can monitor that also). They can also have a temperature probe. (AP9619 or AP9631) They can send e-mail when it gets too hot. That might be a useful thing so that your HW doesn't cook itself.
 
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