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Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking seems like a good idea to a new small business because it's easy to implement and requires minimal up-front costs. But as a business grows, P2P networking becomes quite costly both in terms of management time and productivity.
P2P networking consists of a set of networked computers in which each contains distinct user accounts and data. This type of infrastructure lacks a central data repository. As a result, data is often spread across the entire network with different versions on different computers. Productivity drops off significantly when large chunks of time are required to locate files.
 P2P networks also present administration challenges. Suppose you have 15 computers in a peer environment. In order to administer antivirus updates, you've got to go through the process 15 times. In addition, it requires displacing someone from their station or waiting until after hours to perform maintenance. Most significantly, if a hard drive fails, all the data it contains is lost.
By switching from a P2P arrangement to a centrally managed server network, data backup becomes easier, management is simplified, and less time is spent locating files.
Why do you need a server?
Servers are specifically designed to hold, manage, process and send data. Desktop PCs, on the other hand, are built to run user-friendly operating systems, office applications and other desktop tasks. In short, both are engineered for entirely different purposes. The technology that powers a server:
- Adds extra reliability with redundant hard drives or power supplies
- Processes data faster and more efficiently with the capability of two or more processors
- Offers added file protection and security
- Helps eliminate network data bottlenecks
- Can be configured to handle multiple services, such as e-mail, Web site and applications
- Scales to your growing business needs
Moving to a Windows 2003 server environment
The transition from a P2P network in a Microsoft Windows environment means moving to Windows 2003 Server for file and printer sharing on networks with more than 10 incoming concurrent connections. Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 R2 represents an all-in-one server management package that bundles several security, backup, restoration, connectivity and collaboration features for an overall cost savings. A central component of the Windows platform, Active Directory service provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up network environments. Following are the basic steps that you will take to complete this transition.
1. Document your network environment, including who the users are and where they store their data. Consider whether to organize users into groups based on data access and how to categorize shared data. Estimate your data storage needs.
2. Select a server. Any of the newer processors and 1GB of RAM should be sufficient, but you should consider fault-tolerant hard-drive configurations, such as redundant arrays of independent disks.
3. Configure the server.
4. Prepare the server's file system for centralized file management.
5. Configure the server backup before migrating any critical data. There are commercially available backup programs available, but Windows Backup will be sufficient for most servers.
Without a doubt, a move to a centralized network will simplify your life around the office. CDW can help you determine the exact products you need to make the conversion from a P2P network to a centralized server environment.
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HP ProLiant ML115 G4 Series Server
This server is ideal for file and print serving, Web messaging, business applications and databases, and shared Internet access and LAN infrastructure
CDW 1177956
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Microsoft® Windows® Small Business Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition
Purchase a complete network solution in one application that keeps your data more secure and enhances communications
CDW 1017072
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HP SATA Hard Drive
Add affordable storage capacity to your server with this Internal, non-hot-pluggable, 3.5" drive for HP ProLiant ML115 Series Servers
CDW 956285
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