Recently a Mac switcher, I've convinced my father that Apple is the way to go, as opposed to the unstable Dell+MS systems my father has been running at his office. Currently, he has a basic network set up in his office, with 4 clients (including his laptop) running off of an old dell set up as a sort of server...basically file server, functioning as the main database for all documents, photos, emails, etc. used in the office. He's tired of all the problems he has with spyware, adware, viruses, etc. constantly infecting his systems, and he'd like to run a more reliable network. But here's the problem: he uses some software that isn't compatible with OSX, such as Peachtree Accounting as his main accounting software. I offered Quickbooks as an alternative, but there also other programs (CAD, other software that his designers overseas use to create mockups of new programs, etc.) that he would need run locally on his office machines. In a few weeks, I'll be reorganizing his office network to that of a more reliable system...ie, better backup methods, faster network connections, network printers, and all that good stuff. Now, I'd like to be able to propose a new network, mainly running off of OSX and Macs. My questions:
1. Would the mini's be functional as basic networking clients (with enough power under the hood to run Virtual PC, in case those PC only programs are needed?) b. How fast/slow is Virtual PC on a G4 (say 1.5 ghz, on PB 12", or 1.33 on mini) or G5 (PM 1.8 SP)
2. What type of basic server solution would I be able to purchase? (ie, is xserve too much power for such a small scale network? Would I be able to run a PM, iMac, or mini as the server?)
3. Would I be able to network together PC's and Macs, and with what sort of integration (ie, accessabilty of network drives, printers, etc.)
4. What sort of software would i need for such a network? I'm familiar with the basic windows network drives, network sharing...is this form of connectivity available on OSX?
5. Externally...what sort of problems would these networked clients have with e-mails/attachments/file sharing with other PC's, say with customers and business clients?
As far as the files and software used in the office, the only formats that I know for sure aren't compatible with the osx are the accounting software, some barcoding software, and other relatively minor software that wouldn;t be too hard to replace.
A budget is sort of an issue for this network, but with the introduction of the mac mini, i'm pretty confident I can set this network up using existing hardware that is in the office for less than $6000 (including 3 minis, either an xserve, imac, or PM as the main computer, a PB, new routers, AP's, and extraneous nework supplies). Consider the budget....
---benni
1. Would the mini's be functional as basic networking clients (with enough power under the hood to run Virtual PC, in case those PC only programs are needed?) b. How fast/slow is Virtual PC on a G4 (say 1.5 ghz, on PB 12", or 1.33 on mini) or G5 (PM 1.8 SP)
2. What type of basic server solution would I be able to purchase? (ie, is xserve too much power for such a small scale network? Would I be able to run a PM, iMac, or mini as the server?)
3. Would I be able to network together PC's and Macs, and with what sort of integration (ie, accessabilty of network drives, printers, etc.)
4. What sort of software would i need for such a network? I'm familiar with the basic windows network drives, network sharing...is this form of connectivity available on OSX?
5. Externally...what sort of problems would these networked clients have with e-mails/attachments/file sharing with other PC's, say with customers and business clients?
As far as the files and software used in the office, the only formats that I know for sure aren't compatible with the osx are the accounting software, some barcoding software, and other relatively minor software that wouldn;t be too hard to replace.
A budget is sort of an issue for this network, but with the introduction of the mac mini, i'm pretty confident I can set this network up using existing hardware that is in the office for less than $6000 (including 3 minis, either an xserve, imac, or PM as the main computer, a PB, new routers, AP's, and extraneous nework supplies). Consider the budget....
---benni
