Need to Build A Network

[Dekster]

I need to build a computer network from the ground up for a new business I will be starting later next year. Literally must build from scratch but want to go ahead and buy all the hardware this year for the server part. It will basically service a small office--say 4 work stations, clerical type stuff, bookkeeping, searching for porn when I am not looking (or only when I am looking). One program I have to have that I can technically do cloud based but would rather host on my server requires Windows Server 2019, a 7 GB server (with up 10 for the installation) 8 GB RAM 64 bit encryption and quad core. I don't know what Microsoft SQL is but I may or may not need that depending on which software version I ultimately buy for the must have.

Anybody have any suggesstion for what is the best switches, routers, towers out there for this sort of thing? I don't need the Tesla version. A Trusty old Buick of a network will do. Any suggestions helpful. I will pay someone to actually assemble the thing when the time comes. I just want to take care of the physical stuff so I am not paying some geek $150/hr to google shop for the hardware. My regular computer guy I could just hand my credit card and never needed to worry about it impertinently dropped dead a few years ago and the IT company I use now I don't have a lot of confidence in given they seem to spend a lot of type fixing their last fix on the network I use at my other work. "Why come once when you can come 5 times" should be their motto.

 

[KissMy]

I need to build a computer network from the ground up for a new business I will be starting later next year. Literally must build from scratch but want to go ahead and buy all the hardware this year for the server part. It will basically service a small office--say 4 work stations, clerical type stuff, bookkeeping, searching for porn when I am not looking (or only when I am looking). One program I have to have that I can technically do cloud based but would rather host on my server requires Windows Server 2019, a 7 GB server (with up 10 for the installation) 8 GB RAM 64 bit encryption and quad core. I don't know what Microsoft SQL is but I may or may not need that depending on which software version I ultimately buy for the must have.

Anybody have any suggesstion for what is the best switches, routers, towers out there for this sort of thing? I don't need the Tesla version. A Trusty old Buick of a network will do. Any suggestions helpful. I will pay someone to actually assemble the thing when the time comes. I just want to take care of the physical stuff so I am not paying some geek $150/hr to google shop for the hardware. My regular computer guy I could just hand my credit card and never needed to worry about it impertinently dropped dead a few years ago and the IT company I use now I don't have a lot of confidence in given they seem to spend a lot of type fixing their last fix on the network I use at my other work. "Why come once when you can come 5 times" should be their motto.

You are better off to have the assembler geek do the shopping to make sure each component is compatible. Also now is a bad time to buy computer parts ahead of time, because they are way to expensive due to covid & Taiwan. If you need someone you don't trust to shop for you, get Amex BlueBird that allows you to control purchases. You hand him the card to go shopping & have him call you with the total estimate just before he checks out, then you swipe that amount into the spend account & he can make the purchase 20 seconds later, then you swipe the excess into the set aside account, so no further purchase can happen until you add more to spend account.

 

[Dekster]

You are better off to have the assembler geek do the shopping to make sure each component is compatible. Also now is a bad time to buy computer parts ahead of time, because they are way to expensive due to covid & Taiwan. If you need someone you don't trust to shop for you, get Amex BlueBird that allows you to control purchases. You hand him the card to go shopping & have him call you with the total estimate just before he checks out, then you swipe that amount into the spend account & he can make the purchase 20 seconds later, then you swipe the excess into the set aside account, so no further purchase can happen until you add more to spend account.

If I don't spend it this year I will be taxed on it and then have less to spend next year

 

[KissMy]

If I don't spend it this year I will be taxed on it and then have less to spend next year

You need a better tax man.

 

[Dekster]

You need a better tax man.

Or someone who has some useful advice about buying the equipment I seek.

 

[Ringel05]

I need to build a computer network from the ground up for a new business I will be starting later next year. Literally must build from scratch but want to go ahead and buy all the hardware this year for the server part. It will basically service a small office--say 4 work stations, clerical type stuff, bookkeeping, searching for porn when I am not looking (or only when I am looking). One program I have to have that I can technically do cloud based but would rather host on my server requires Windows Server 2019, a 7 GB server (with up 10 for the installation) 8 GB RAM 64 bit encryption and quad core. I don't know what Microsoft SQL is but I may or may not need that depending on which software version I ultimately buy for the must have.

Anybody have any suggesstion for what is the best switches, routers, towers out there for this sort of thing? I don't need the Tesla version. A Trusty old Buick of a network will do. Any suggestions helpful. I will pay someone to actually assemble the thing when the time comes. I just want to take care of the physical stuff so I am not paying some geek $150/hr to google shop for the hardware. My regular computer guy I could just hand my credit card and never needed to worry about it impertinently dropped dead a few years ago and the IT company I use now I don't have a lot of confidence in given they seem to spend a lot of type fixing their last fix on the network I use at my other work. "Why come once when you can come 5 times" should be their motto.

Never built one myself but there are tons of resources out there. If you've already seen these then ignore them.

Guide to building your own diy NAS Server | Bestbackups.com

Everything you need to build your own NAS setup (and what it will cost)

8 Free NAS Storage OS / Software For Small Business Enterprise

 

[Ringel05]

Here's another. It says for your home but I believe it's pretty much the same thing for a small business.

Buy and Build Powerful Linux Server for Your Home

 

[iamwhatiseem]

I have built many-many office networks.
4 computers??
You don't need much of anything.
A simple 10 port switch will be plenty. If you get a phone system that is VOIP the phones can use the same ethernet cable your computer uses.
If your software can be cloud based - pick that option. You'll be happier. If you don't know what Microsoft SQL is and you want to install/config it yourself... yeah... not going to go well.
In all seriousness, if you know a reputable IT company (NOT Geek Squad etc.) locally - you will save yourself a lot of headaches and googling in the dark by hiring them.