How to set up this network?

LABachlr

LABachlr

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I have a friend that would like the following network setup:

Network should be able to serve up to 8 workstations (there will be 4 workstations initially)
It will be on a DSL connection
1 server (G5 workstation)
4 computers (2 iMacs & 2 G5 workstations)
3 printers on network total
- 1 large color format printer 9800 epson
- 1 color printer
- 1 black and white printer

Could someone tell me the best way to set up this network, the hardware involved, the software involved (including server software for the G5 server if there is a need for one), the cost of all of this, how long it will take to set up, and any instructions or links on how to set it up.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I usually work on PC's, but I have worked on Mac's quite a bit. However, I have not set up a network before. By the way, this is a wired network in an office that will just have one ethernet cable for the DSL connection.

TIA
 
Pretty easy really..

pickup a router or firewall (depending on your budget) and a 10 port hub/switch.

install os X server on the G5 workstation(now server) or use Yellow Dog linux.
Enable DHCP on the server
Enable DNS on server
in the DHCP settings make the default gateway the router.
Do NOT enable DHCP on the router.
Make the router also be a fowarder for your server DNS entries.

hook all Macs to the hub
let all the workstation macs get an IP address from DHCP

You should be able to connect to the internet. Via bonjour you should sell all the other macs.

If your G5 server has enough ports, hook all yoru printers to the server and share them out.

you might have to get a parallel to USB converter for some printers.

There are lots of little things, but generally that is it.

The setup is very simular to how Windows PC network would be setup. Not much difference really.
 
A multiple port Ethernet switch connected to a dsl modem / router [or paired dsl modem and router] should handle all network requirements for the Macs and printers.

MacOS X is all the clients need to establish the needed internet / intranet connections.
For the G5 consider MacOS X Server 10 client package.
 
Your setup is really simple. You need a router to distribute your DSL connection to your various devices. If you can't find a router with 8 LAN ports, add an 8-port switch or hub.

Questions:

1. What is the point of the "server"? You might be much better served by using all of your computers in a peer-to-peer setting. In this way, you get the most out of your three G5's. All of your computers--G5's and iMacs alike--have massive hard drives. The data on each computer can very easily be shared.

2. Why three printers? Each printer should provide something that the others cannot. The large format Epson printer meets this test. The monochrome printer does not. I recommend a genuine PostScript 3 color printer with Ethernet connectivity. Currently Xerox offers its Phaser 8500/8550 with a $500 USD rebate placing it well under $1000. Monochrome printers of equal quality are only slightly cheaper. With genuine PostScript, you are guaranteed compatible with any OS that ships with a PostScript driver--and that's just about everything.
 
Thanks for all the advice.

Would you guys mind linking to the specific products that we will need that are compatible with Mac's?

Which brand/model would you suggest for the router and hub/switch?

I'm guessing the G5 workstation will now be a Mac Pro seeing that he wants me to include it in the price.

Will the Mac OS X Server OS do OK on the Intel Dual Core?

Any idea how long it will take to install and configure everything if I take advantage of AppleCare's and Netgear's (or whatever router manufacturer I'll be using) ability to walk me through it?

So, this is the equipment that I see that I need so far:

Mac Pro (server) Need for a monitor after configuring?
Mac OS X Server
Router
10 port hub/switch
6 ethernet cables

Anything else besides the workstations and the printers?

The reason for the printers listed is that he already has them.

And the point of the server is so that there is one central place where all of the data is stored. I'm guessing he'll be backing it up every so often.
 
'What is the difference between a (Ethernet) hub and a switch?' - Google search result.

'A switch is definitely better for this setup?' - yes.
 
A 100 switch is like 100 in, 100 out. A 100 hub is 50 in, 50 out. Your macs probably support gigabit ethernet, you might want to think about that.
 
Apple tech support gave me the answer that I needed. A hub is older technology, and is like a walky talky...only one way of communication at a time. A switch is the newer technology, and can have communication coming and going at the same time.

Answer = switch
 
LABachlr said:
Apple tech support gave me the answer that I needed. A hub is older technology, and is like a walky talky...only one way of communication at a time. A switch is the newer technology, and can have communication coming and going at the same time.

Answer = switch
Click to expand...
I don't disagree with the bottomline, but the reason is not correct. Read this to learn more about hubs, switches, and routers.
 
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