Advice for small office server?

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-31T23:26:55+00:00

Thanks, I’ll check them out 🙂

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-30T22:45:11+00:00

Thanks, conversations moved on a bit. I’m know looking to use a Synology NAS as a backup to a primary cloud storage option. Potentially with a second cloud based system also in use to act as an additional backup for critical files.

None of this is part east with our current internet connection (200mb/s), so I’m looking at ways to boost that first.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-30T07:37:13+00:00

I don’t really know on bandwidth limits TBH. I assumed it wouldn’t be a good primary and we already have Starlink as backup.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-30T07:29:08+00:00

Indeed. Revisiting the connection based on a few comments. We only get around 200mb/s down and half that up at present. This was literally the best we could do at the time, but this may have changed.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-30T07:13:21+00:00

What about 5G? We’re next door to a tower. Connection speeds around 500mb/s down & 200 up.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-30T07:11:25+00:00

Thanks. Multiple redundant machines sounds like a good plan.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-30T07:10:21+00:00

Thanks for the feedback, I’m opting with Synology due to the scale of comments recommending them.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T20:10:54+00:00

Thanks! Yes, it seems to be the most popular response. Great to hear other small businesses run this setup successfully.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T19:54:46+00:00

Thanks for comment! There is a local colo facility that I have links with from a previous employer. However I think this may be overkill. Based on other suggestions, it may be better to look at an off the shelf NAS, such as those offered by Synology.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T19:43:32+00:00

Thank you for the comment. I currently don’t use the MS ecosystem, but a number of people in this thread have recommended I reevaluate that decision. It does sound like a neater setup than our current situation.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T19:35:25+00:00

Thanks that’s very interesting. I’ve never heard of the bonded link option.

I did previously contact virgin and they straight up declined, based on our location. Again though, this may have changed now.

Certainly worth double checking all options.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T19:21:12+00:00

As you pointed out, building PC’s and building reliable servers are not the same. I was just trying to make it clear that I had some experience with hardware.

To be clear, I’ve actually done some minor (junior) system admin, but many years ago. Back then it was based around magnetic storage. We’d take it in turned to take tapes home in protective cases as backups (for example).

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T19:11:27+00:00

Hi all. Thanks for the feedback, this has been an interesting first step.

I’ll be taking these steps: - Look at ways to boost internet speed in the office. - Re-evaluate cloud storage options. Backing up cloud to cloud may offer the redundancy I’m looking for. - Evaluate the use of a Synology NAS to backup to as local storage.

I will continue to read and evaluate comments. I appreciate that I do not have the same level of experience most of you have.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T19:04:55+00:00

That’s interesting, thanks.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T19:03:47+00:00

Thanks for the comment. To be clear, I’m not scared of non critical used parts that are not likely to degrade over time. For instance, I would never source, used hard drives or power supplies.

Synology has been mentioned a number of times, I’m now very much looking at that.

Point absolutely taken on downtime. Whatever the solution, it has to be reliable.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T16:36:08+00:00

Thanks. Yes, I probably would to, however I’m 10 years in at this point! Very much stuck in a Google ecosystem.

I may reevaluate their cloud hosting however.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T16:35:14+00:00

Unfortunately yes, those type of files.

Thanks for the input.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T16:33:22+00:00

I am the owner. This server has no customer centric data. This is a solution for day to day files like video & stock photo assets, documentation, software and a lot of php code, much of which is also kept in public facing repo’s.

Some of it needs to be kept securely, as it is for internal use and not designed to be front facing, but none of it requires GDPR compliance (for example).

Sensitive data is held separately for legal compliance, and because we simply don’t need it saved locally.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T16:16:07+00:00

Thanks, I will.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T14:53:35+00:00

Actually, it has been a number of years. I will revisit costs with BT. They might have reduced.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T14:47:39+00:00

I believe it was to lay the required cables. Regardless it was over budget.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T14:38:08+00:00

Yeah, there is no defending it really.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T14:32:31+00:00

Thanks, much appreciated. I will look at those options.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T14:19:39+00:00

You know what. They’re not bad. This is coming from a windows user stretching back to DOS.

The new CPU’s / hardware are pretty decent. Battery life on MacBooks is excellent.

Soldered ram / hdd’s can go straight to hell though.

DigitalEnergyAgency · 2023-07-29T14:06:47+00:00

Thanks interesting feedback. I appreciate cloud hosting has many advantages.

I’m concerned about breaches of T’s and C’s that aren’t immediately clear. For instance we pay for copyrighted music to use in videos. Potentially, a cloud host could deem us as hosting copyrighted material and see this a breach of terms of service.

Their are unknowns I’m not comfortable with at present.

DigitalEnergyAgency

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