Network system for first-time server

I don't know the first thing about major aspects of networking of a server.

From the networking card in the server, the router/HUB etc.. and an internet connection for a server.

I don't know the first thing about what I need.

I want to get a HUB for perhaps 8 users, 6 if it's cheaper. I only need for just 3 at most, but perhaps more in the future.

I need to know the specifications I should look for in a network card (is a gigabit ethernet the same as a 10/100/1000 ?)...............

and what about internet connections for a server. How well does a cable modem work for a server? I just don't know anything about these for a servers needs, only for personal use.

Thanks!

It depends on what you are doing with your server. cable is decent personaly I prefer DSL as a cheap alternative to frame or T1 because your bandwidth is not shared. I have several clients running site-to-site VPNs through both and the DSL works the best. heck a 6Mb DSL with 5 statics cost I believe $100.00 a month here and your not sharing bandwidth like cable with everyone in your neighborhood.
gigabit is 1000 the 10/100/1000 is a gigabit that is backward compatible. gig=1000 (actualy 1024). Goto best buy and buy a router/4 port switch and plug all your PCs and server to the switch side and the dsl/cable to the wan side and go.

Juniperr - thanks. A few follow ups.

Sounds like DSL versus a T1 is my bag. T1 is way too expensive to invest in initially.

Now, what are the propers of DSL I need to be concerned with.

You said "a 6mb with 5 statics" what do these means? bandwidth I know, but statics?

What other things should I be concerned with....thanks!

By statics Juniperr means static IP addresses. You'll want these if you plan to host servers on your connection.

It is not quite accurate that DSL is not shared. It is at the DSLAM and beyond.
see here: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/dsl9.htm

A point to point T1 is a dedicated circuit whereas a frame relay circuit is usually oversubscribed [over shared] by the telephone company.

I have used both and Comcast cable in my area [Oregon] is far superior in both performance and cost to that of DSL. As more gamers get on in the evenings and Fri/Sat I have seen DSL go to a fast crawl.

Concerning your questions my suggestion would be to get a 100mb switch [never a hub] that has more ports then you need now. If the switch could also support a copper gigabit that would also be good to have your server connect at 1000mbps.

Unless you plan on hosting a web server a single ip address from your ISP [whether cable or DSL] and a small router [$100 or less] and you can provide internet for your entire site not just the server [in fact the server would be the last thing I would have on the internet continually].

You should think simply on this and not make it more complex then you can use. For example you are talking a "server". Unless the applications you want to run require being on a Domain Controller or have to run under 2000/3 server you don't need a "server". You can set up a workstation to act as a server by being the appliations install base.

Start small and build up wisely. Best of luck!

Hiya wanderer2, your link basicly tells the same story I am saying. On cable you lose performance as new users in your neighborhood get added unlike dsl where you dont lose performance until the provider oversubscribes its internet access. At some point all internet bandwidth is shared that is the truth its how soon you want to start taking a performance hit is my deals. The same thing happens in cable world also but in cable world you share bandwidth even before this point so you get knocked down way sooner. If your ISP had you on a stub network it would be very easy to oversubscribe if all they had was an OC3 to the internet. However this is very uncommon on DSL and cable if you have a descent ISP and a good staff that can do QoS. Basicly a DSLAM is the same as a DWDM in SONET there is always a point that can get over booked I just dont like taking a performance hit because my jo smo neighbor decided to download the same time I did.

oooo, a better example would be this...
It only takes one jo smo in your neighborhood downloading at the same time as you to degrade performance on cable but would take the whole neighborhood of jo smo's downloading at the same time as you with DSL. That makes more sence and is shorter.

Thanks guys. I have of course a few more questions so I can make sure I get this all right. I appreciate it.

Firstly, I should mention I have only one (AMD 1.2) computer in my house. I currently use cable modem, so I will likely at least try this out initially on the server, and switch when/if needed.

Wanderer - You mentioned some things I don't understand. You said something about using a workstation versus server, and having just site online and not the whole server.

I have no idea what you mean by this. How do you have a site online and not a whole server. Perhaps you mean just one subfolder section of my computer accessible online. And perhaps you mean use a mult-tasking workstation rather than getting a seperate server.

This wouldn't work because my computer is not good enough, not too mention the potential traffic could be very high. I also plan on hosting a few websites later.


The site I am hosting will become VERY labor intensive - and requires a MySQL db, lots of php, and a massive (potentially 40 gigs or more) of user uploaded files.

What is the difference between a switch and a hub. I know what a hub is/does, but not a switch....

Even at a higher level usage, I cannot forsee more than 100mpbs needed coming in and out of the server. Perhaps I'll stick with a 100mpbs card for now.....

...so let me know how this specification works for the switch as well.

Thanks (surely more questions to come)...

Gotcha - most likely I will try out my current cable connection on it, and switch asap when necessary....

Right now my cable modem is 50 bucks a month - so if a DSL with what you specified is only 100, that'd be nice.