need some help with this dilemna..

Mehmet · Post by **Mehmet** » Fri Apr 06, 2001 7:54 pm

hey guyz, i need some help here:

My dads friend, wants me to set up a few computers, but the thing is Its a really weird situation.. He has seen car companies with one main computer (server) that serves 3 stations, but the stations have no box. your probably saying huh? i was too. Now i just wanna know if this is possible, i thought it was impossible. but anywayz, heres the other part of it:

He's willing to have regular pcs built by me,
to have Boxes, but have one server that at one station when someone buys a car part, it deducts it from their inventory and update all the computers, saying blah blah was bought at blah blah quantitys, and it deducts. I dont even know if u need a server for this...
So what could i do? im leaning towards doing the second one, but is a server needed? And is that deducting thing software based, or what? Do I need a server? Thanx guys!

gmcd33 · Post by **gmcd33** » Fri Apr 06, 2001 8:35 pm

You dont need a server, use a peer to peer network. Peer to peer is good for 10 or less computers. As far as the duductions and inventory control you can make a "application server" on one of the boxes and store the software and data there. Then you would run the software on the other computers including the one thats acting as application server. You need to make sure that the software he is using supports this.

If he doesnt have software then I am sure you can easily find some software that will work in this configuration.

If you are only talking about a few computers get a hub and nics for each box and then connect all the boxes to the hub. NetBUEI would be a decent protocal to run for this.

Mehmet · Post by **Mehmet** » Fri Apr 06, 2001 8:46 pm

got a question, what do u mean by application server? Is that like a feature that the program should have? or is it some weird hidden feature in windows that i dont know about ?

Mehmet · Post by **Mehmet** » Fri Apr 06, 2001 9:53 pm

bump, hey gmc, do u have ICQ? maybe we can talk bout this? thanx

TonyT · Post by **TonyT** » Fri Apr 06, 2001 9:55 pm

There are different types of servers. All servers run some type of server software to perform specified tasks, ie mail server, http server, ftp server, application server etc. The application server is a type of server that serves an app that is running on the network, such as inventory software, billing software etc. You can finf an app that supports inventory, billing, & other features all in one app.

To answer your question, you will need some type of software that handles the tasks that you will need. A server OS will have the app server as a part of it. Not sure if there's anything like that in 98, but I don't think so. You need NT or win2K or linux.

ghost · Post by **ghost** » Fri Apr 06, 2001 11:13 pm

Originally posted by vegeto:
hey guyz, i need some help here:

My dads friend, wants me to set up a few computers......one server that at one station when someone buys a car part, it deducts it from their inventory and update all the computers, saying blah blah was bought at blah blah quantitys, and it deducts. I dont even know if u need a server for this...
So what could i do? im leaning towards doing the second one, but is a server needed? And is that deducting thing software based, or what? Do I need a server? Thanx guys!

Are the stations you're talking about workstations or gas stations? In other words, are the computers going to be located in different buildings around the city or are all of the computers (workstations) going to be in the same building?

ghost

Mehmet · Post by **Mehmet** » Fri Apr 06, 2001 11:15 pm

same building, sorry bout that, i meant stations as in workstations, as in pcs and such..

ghost · Post by **ghost** » Sat Apr 07, 2001 2:04 am

Well, with a business like you're talking about, where you have to have tight inventory control, it'd probably be better to set something up where it's centrally administered. That way you have more control over security and won't have guys playing with the inventory database and altering numbers so they can rip you off. Set up a box with Windows NT Server or Windows 2000 (W2K) and your workstations with Windows NT Workstation. Then purchase & install the inventory database program (whichever you choose for your particular needs) on the server box.

It sounds like your Dad's friend has a modest-sized business and several workers, certainly enough to warrant the extra security provided by a server-client arrangement. I know if I had a business where retail sales were involved, I'd want good security and central administration of the network.

Just my opinion of the matter, I'm no expert. I'm sure you'll get different advice from others. Do some research, listen to advice, make your decision then implement. Good luck!

ghost

MRB · Post by **MRB** » Sat Apr 07, 2001 2:58 am

Hi Vegeto
At my work we have 10 pc's as workstations and 1 pc as server as a network.
We install a software to keep track of inventory, purchases, man hours to different jobs, quotes, manufaturing hours etc etc...
We all can enter and recive data at same time, that is because the software allowed multi users.The cost depents on number of user usual is in increments of 5. The more users when you buy software the more $$ cost.
Each user as ID and password to access and this way you can permite and control each individual privilige to the data.
Remember must of this programs are taylor to a specific busines needes .
Know far as hardware you better have one pc for each user it's faster. Multy monitores and keyboards connect to one pc can be donne but will be slow when more users are accessing at same time.

Hope this is any help..

MRB

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Sat Apr 07, 2001 10:04 am

Vegeto, what you are talking about "has no boxes" is a client/server situation. The clients are "dummy terminals" They rely on the server for all their processor power and apps. Really one of the best ways to keep track of a data base. One example would be an IBM AS/400 system.

I'm not trying to talk you out of this, cause I know you are a smart guy, but please do A LOT of research before you start on this. When you get into data base and inventory control there is many things to consider. Such as back up of data, VERY IMPORTANT, security, who has access and when?
UPS, what if the power fails? and many other things. Gotta get to skool now

keeper · Post by **keeper** » Sat Apr 07, 2001 11:56 am

Many companies just hace 'terminal stations' for each location [a keyboard & monitor only]. Monitors & keyboards are connected to a 'hub' which goes to the 'mainframe' PC.

Is usually an NT4 'intranet' with a 'firewall' blocking access to anything outside the system [except by the administrator].

Mant small businesses & government offices use this type of system [like when you renew your drivers license, they just have a monitor & keyboard to tap into the 'main processor].

There is no need for everyone to have their own procesor.

With 10 'stations', there should only be one central Hard Drive to work from, and only allowed to access the Accounting Database.

Having 10 Hard drives could be a nightmare when looking for data.

Also, with multiple processors, they are always going to be crashing [folks WILL play with them. Bring in their own floppies, etc.]

I would definately go with the 'terminal stations'.

Is cheaper & easier, plus can put $$ into one good processor instead of 10 cheap ones.

Mehmet · Post by **Mehmet** » Sat Apr 07, 2001 3:59 pm

hey keeper, what kinda hub would that be, if you direct me to a link i would appreciate it. One more thing, if i did it that way, is there a service in win2k server that i can use?

MRB, what software might that be? i would like to know so i can tell him bout this thanx.

Roundeye, im gonna do some research, thats y i came here in the first place

thanx man, and drop me a line on icq will ya thanx!

One more thing, for backup of data, can i just get a second HDD, and have windows just backup everynight?

MRB · Post by **MRB** » Sat Apr 07, 2001 5:59 pm

The name of software is "E 2 Shop tech" company "shop tech" in Cincinnati - Ohio, cost aprox. $20000.00, but remenber their are others out there for less money dependes in what is your need's.

As I mention we run NT serve the others pc's win 98 and some ME all with nic cards.
We install software in every pc but the data gets to be save on server. This way you only back-up the server.The server as to be always on.

The reason we do use pc's as workstations diferent departments use other softwares besides the E 2 Shop. Example enginnering requires autocad 2000 and solid works for drawings.Principal solid works consume lot of resources when is crunching numbers

,this way we do not bottle neck the server but all data end up to be save at server. Netbeui is transfer protocol with file and print sharing and client microsoft network.

MRB

Mehmet · Post by **Mehmet** » Sat Apr 07, 2001 8:04 pm

ah ic, im leaning towards the one with the client/server solution..