Dual CPU? Memory?

[Lemming]

I am in the process of starting a small cyber cafe and am at a loss on how to customize (before ordering) my server. I am going to begin with only 5-terminals (+ licenses) and I want the users to have a high-speed DSL connection. Should I consider multiple processors for such a small network? Or is that overkill?

I would like to run the basic apps (Office, Adobe, etc...)plus Photoshop, from my server. Of course I will have to have antivirus software loaded at all times as well as firewall software chipping away at my memory resourses. How much would you recommend I consider for memory?

Any advice would be welcome.

Denise G.
Rookie Entrepreneur

:confused:

[BipolarBill]

If you want to run all of those from the server, 2GB RAM, SCSI drives and dual CPUs are recommended.

[omendata]

You can only use dual processors effectively with a dual processor OS like Windows NT etc for a start!

Dual processors are a pain trying to make sure they balance load - your server will need optimized when it is installed!
This is a professional job done by a qualified server doctor
not your stick it in install and go engineer!
Expect to pay at least £750 for a days work!

For such a small network a good fast server is really all you need - dual processors are a gimmick only useful in very specialized areas - go AMD for the processor if you want to save cash - with around 512-1024mb ram would more than suffice!

I would recommend a separate firewall - Gnatbox Pro is a fantastic cheap and one of the best firewalls Ive used!
So impressed was I (like Victor Khiam) Im a reseller now!
So good you can run it on a pentium 100 - 32mb ram no hard disk - runs off floppy so increasing system uptime and reliability!

You could download a free firewall like SMOOTHWALL or the LRP - Linux Router project and build an old pentium 100 and install those on that - total cost around $40

Go for AVG antivirus = free!!!
And very good = autoupdates etc

Put it on the server and workstations - Ive never had a config issue with this AV solution!

Panda are also giving free versions of its program away but I prefer AVG or Norton - Actually I run 4 - Mcafee , Norton , AVG and Panda but thats just me being paranoid!

You can do everything you need virtually free if you know what you are doing -= building your own server or getting a good techie to make you up one could cut the cost in half from buying from Dell or Compaq etc

If you do buy a server it has to be an IBM!
Simply the best at laptops , desktops and servers!!!
Beautiful black beasts their server boxes are!
Tape drives are always a problem though especially HP so make sure you have a backup solution in place = downtime on any of your cafe machines means money - GHOSTCAST is a good and quick solution - you can rebuild 10 machines in around 3 minutes over the network!

Ok thats that for now plenty more ideas!
I setup a couple of internet cafes a year ago - cabling , routers , pcs etc so Ive done it from the basics if ye need any pointers!

There are loads of good unemplyed techies out there - employing those guys can save you a fortune in startup costs and maintenance invoices!
:t

[BipolarBill]

Um - she's running applications from the server. Possibly 5 simultaneous terminals running the same app.

[omendata]

Yeah wasnt sure - Is she running the apps fomthe server though - i thought she meant CYBERCAFE as in internet surf and use her applications from the server?

Maybe she can clarify!

Still should suffice - we ran ten off an old duron 1200 1024mb customized single processor server quite well! Mind you we didnt run Photoshop - LOL!

Terminal server or are we talking workstations?
TS is even faster!

All depends on how well the server is optimized Bill!

Ours was tweaked to the max by our server doctor BIG DAVE!
And no-one messes wie big Davie Mcg!
The man is a genius with servers - no wonder he gets paid $1000 a day! yeah for real! Im jealous!

[Lemming]

Wow,
You've given me a lot to think about. I was leaning towards a Linux server but if I can't use dual CPUs with Linux then I'll go with the more familiar, Windows 2000. Would you recommend a RAID V for redundancy?

Gnat Box does seem like a simple firewall solution. Thanks.

I'll have to do some research on Ghost Cast.

While I like IBM and my first computer was an Aptiva, I am still leaning more toward a Dell PowerEdge 2600.

Thanks, :)

[Lemming]

I guess I should clarify that I will have 5-workstations (not terminals) and only the Applications will run from the server. These will not be strictly gamer machines but where I am locating my cafe, Photoshop would be a plus. :o)

I want to cater to all ages so I know the gamers will want power_therefore the dual CPUs.

I am taking notes and you both have really made me think.
Thanks!

[BipolarBill]

Dual CPUs on the server won't help gamers at all. Why are you going to run your apps off of the server, anyway? Why not just install them from there and leave the apps on each PC? Just use the server for domain control, proxy duty and file serving. If you do that, you can use any old PC for a server.

BTW - I really recommend Windows for a server. It's much easier to manage.

[Lemming]

I guess I really don't have to run the apps from the server. I am so accustomed to installing that way in a larger network environment to save time on updates and upgrades.

Not being a gamer--I really don't know what they need other than speed. I guess I should be looking more at the configuration of the workstations than the server. I'm wondering if the video card would be a big issue as well as the processor & memory in that case?

:confused:

[BipolarBill]

All three are an issue. I would suggest Ti 4200 cards (not great but darned good), a 2GHz or better P4 or Athlon (2000+ or more) and 512MB Crucial RAM. No Durons or Celerons please.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?catalog=48&DEPA=0&submit=property&mfrcode=0&propertycode=&propertycodevalue=3107,3668

That will get them gaming and won't break the bank.

[omendata]

Yeah Bills right
A server should really only be used for one duty!
Trying to squueze to many thhgs onto one is an art to get it working at full max-out!

I would think twice about photoshop - while it is the best its very expensive in software terms especially for a 5 user licence!
Try some shareware - paintshop pro is an excellent choice and has many of the same features as Photoshop!

As far as I am aware Linux supports multiple cpus but its a nightmare to administer even now with KDE . Gnome interfaces etc
You still need to be a dos hand!

Would take me a week to setup a proper linux server and get it optimized and working right - a day for a microsoft server!

Im working on it though -Linux is where the money is going to be if Novell Desktop takes off!

Dual Cpu is usually used for number crunching apps like SQL server , Terminal Server that can make proper balanced use of cpu time!!!

The dual opteron boards now in servers are massive - you need something more than 5 pcs to tax them if you decide to go dual cpu - should always look at expandability and future proofing your system though - If you use the server just for domain duties with an external firewall like Gnatbox you should be fine!
Dual Cpu isnt really an option in my opinion if you go this route!

Depends on how you plan to implement!
Called Systems Analysis and design
Very boring!
SSADM (Yuck)
:-@