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Hey everyone! So I have been recently asked to set up a small business network. Let me give you some background on me. I have over 14 years of experience in IT from Help Desk to Desktop Support, to some System Administration and some Network Administration. I have been around a bunch of different technologies but never really had the opportunity to set up my own. Always been around to maintain what is currently in place. I have the knowledge of how a network works and what is needed but after sitting back and really thinking of setting up one from scratch I think I might of overwhelmed myself or maybe i’m just over thinking it. I have full trust in my IT Skills I’m just not an expert as far as upper level stuff like Network Engineer or anything like that. I could really use some advice! With that said let me give you some info on the company. They are a company of about 200 people but only 20-25 people in the office are computers users the rest are truck drivers in the field. So far they are not uniformed at all on computer equipment. It looks as if they just go to Best Buy and purchase computers as needed. As far as I know everyone is working off their hotspots on their phones for now since there is no internet in the building. As of right now the cabling has been done in the building to all the offices and network closet. They are currently awaiting on ATT to run fiber to the building. So that is where I’m at right now. I could really use some advice on what to do next and install. I will have to get the cabling company to patch everything and see if ATT will be providing a router. After that i will need switches, AP’s, etc… but I’m not sure what to use. I was thinking Cisco Meraki or something more simple. Once I can get internet in the building do I need a server to manage it or should I go cloud based etc… Please I believe I’m over thinking some of this. I just want to do a good job and build of this so I can grow my IT Skills and possibly look for more contracts down the road. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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@davel-spiceworks Welcome to Spiceworks!

First thing is to go through the requirements of the business, you must identify what they need before you bring in any equipment.

When setting up the hardware and assuming you will be the one to support it, get something that you know very well. Do not over provision things, you must understand the business requirement very well. Get a checklist of what needs to be done and when, document everything you setup.

Good luck and have fun with your first build.

@firstlast2954

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Sorry if this post sound like I’m rambling, I did it on mobile and just started vomiting ideas.

Ok set down and make a todo list first of all.

Documentation is important.

Here is a video on how to build up a VM with a internal wiki. Also check out there other videos, they have some network deployments that may give you some ideas.

First figure out your budget, and run from there.

Terminating your own network connections and punch panels can save you some money and get you good experience.

This guy does network clean ups and installations.

Plan your IP range and I would say double it.

Any on premises servers? Domain Controller? File server? Exchange server? Voip/phone solution?

If the network is not complicated, no on prem hosting no need for multiple WAN IP addresses, Ubiquiti equipment (USG - router, there network switches, cloud key, and most importantly the Unifi Access Points) is awesome for the price. It also gives you a single pane of glass to look at and make adjustments to your network. There Unifi APs are a bit on the expensive side but they are some of the best access point I have used. The cloud key would be your point of configuration. If the WAN has multiple IP address a PFSense firewall would not be a bad idea but would require more learning.

Anyways, that’s a start? I personally would stay away from Meraki just for the cost, and maintenance.

If you need some help ITPro.TV is what I use for professional learning. But there videos are a bit dry.

I hope this helps, if you have any other questions I would be happy to help.

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You’ll need a lot more info on there workflow, sit down and go over what they need in IT and a network. Do they have a file server? How are they currently doing things is what you need to know. Only then will you be able to confidently recommend solutions. Get a budget how much can you spend? Think of future growth as well.

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What do you mean to manage the internet here?

After that i will need switches, AP’s, etc… but I’m not sure what to use. I was thinking Cisco Meraki or something more simple.

We have been using Ubiquity for our WAP and they have been great in performance and cost.

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Focus on the needs of the business first.

Then you can work on figuring how IT can support those needs.

Do you have a contract with this business yet?

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I would think that many people, especially when taking over a SMB would start with networking and then look at cables and/or wireless first.

I have taken over 20+ SMBs and i would think to look at the requirements first…as the network would have been up already…tidying that up is secondary.

…

I would look at user requirements first…then start a plan for the entire organisation.

  1. What type of machines are the users on ? Lappy or PCs or will they be moving to PC or lappy in the next hardware refresh ? What backup solution in place ?

  2. Are there file servers ? Or Print servers (or networked printers) ?

  3. Are there application servers ? What backup solution in place ?

  4. Where are the email servers ? What backup solution in place ?

  5. Do they need a DC ? Can they use Synology NAS as DC ?

  6. What are the current pain points ?

  7. What type of budget do they have, for current year and future plans also ? (this can be the most important factor)

  8. Do they have vendor support (PC & lappy, server hardware, infrastructure, email etc) ?

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This is excellent advise.

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As others have said, address business needs first. As for the hardware needs, check out the physical layout of the business site. This will help you determine the cables need to be run as well as how many switches you’ll need & where they need to be installed. In my opinion start at the demarcation and work your way down to the end users. This is also a great opportunity for creating a standard for businesses and yourself on what a network from scratch should consist of. Good luck! I’m interested to hear the end results.

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Along with everything that has been stated, do not forget to build in security from the get go.

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Thank you everyone for your responses! They are greatly appreciated! Let me see if I can answer some of your questions as well regarding this. So as of right now this is what they have in place.

20-25 desktops/laptops

Several desktop printers no xerox machines or anything of that nature.

All cat 5 cabling has been run throughout the building but the ends in the network closet are not terminated to a patch panel. Basically just hanging there.

There is no internet in the building. (ATT is about a month away from running fiber to the building)

No switches/Routers/Servers/etc…

File storage at this point is bare. They are just saving to the local computer and some have a drop box account.

Basic Needs they are wanting at this moment:

Internet

File Storage/Security

Network Security

Printer Management

WiFi

In the network closet there is a rack mount and patch panels but nothing else like I said the cable are not terminated. So I’m thinking what should I do from here. Install a couple switches, a firewall, some Access Points, etc…? Once I get them up with internet can they just use dhcp from the switches (What Switches should I use) or do I need to install a dns server to get them internet to their computers? Also security like a firewall then maybe an AV endpoint manager or single antivirus program on their computer. After that I can build them a windows domain environment and use like the Office 365 suite, and whatever else they might need maybe go the Cloud Service route. Any advice is greatly appreciated guys! Thanks

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That’s a pretty decent number of devices. I would definitely consider looking into the Office 365 and cloud route to start with, but do they have anything that they need to store on-premise? In any case, you should centralize your file storage and make sure you have a backup. The 3-2-1 backup rule is a good standard - 3 copies of your data, on 2 different media, one of which being offsite.

I would also make sure that you have a firewall set up on the perimeter and set up antivirus on each PC.

For switches and access points, we have a ton available through HPE. Our switch selector is located here and allows you to put in your requirements and we can help you find the right switch for your network. Our OfficeConnect portfolio of products is specific to small businesses, but still has a wide array of features. For APs, you’ll be looking at something within the Aruba family of products.

Last thing I want to mention, if you do want to purchase through HPE, we have a Small Business Marketplace that’s really focused on providing value to small businesses that need affordable and high-performance gear. If there’s anything I can help you with from the HPE side of the house, feel free to reach out!

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The first thing to do is work out the budget available …then contact some vendors in your area (SI that do licensing with AV, networking with appliances support, G-suite or O365) then have meetings with them.

The really important thing is $$$$. For example you can use 3x 24 port switch or 2x 48 port switches (for 30 users)…then there are $200 to $5000 switches with various features and support options (eg Dell lifetime warranty with up to 7 yrs 4 hour 1-1 exchange support).

The cost of email…on-premise servers, licensing & backup solution vs O365 vs G-suite.

Backup solution for servers and users…backup software, backup servers (if required) and backup repository (SAN or NAS).

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Thanks for the info I’ll be sure to check out those videos.

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That’s some good info there. I’m waiting on them for a meeting so I can sit down and further discuss their needs and budget. I’m trying to brush up with yalls advice so I can recommend some solutions. I got a good network of people I can call for help and I’ll need to setup some meetings with vendors as well. I know this will be a process I just want to start off on the right foot with them and my IT business venture.

@adrianyong4136

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Hey toyvalenz,

Sounds like everyone has been offering some pretty great advice. I couldn’t agree more with what has been suggested.

When it comes time to evaluate AV software and any other security needs, just reach out and I’d be able to help you get you set with some free trials of VIPRE software . We have a bunch of products built for IT admins/MSPs/Consultants to increase efficiency and make security management easy. We also have a pretty solid partner program with some of the most competitive margins in the industry.

Just let me know and I’d love to help in any way possible!

@VIPRE

@firstlast2954

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Thanks for the info Kevin. I’ll be sure to keep you in mind.

@kevin-vipre

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Anytime! Always here to help!

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I would want at least a DC on prem in case the internet goes down. At least they will be able to log into their computers, their computers can get IP addresses if you are using DHCP v keeping an excel spreadsheet of static ip addresses (was not fun when I came in) and play games and arrange desktop icons. Another server for file share of course, and you could put the print server here also. DC can run DHCP, DNS, etc.

After that is how much redundancy do they want or need so maybe 2 DC. Leads me to backup internet and phone lines / trunks. Might as well plan this from the get go and make sure you have some sort of internet backup plan as everything is pretty reliant on connectivity. If you do host a bunch of services, you will need internet to get to them. I use a Sophos ASG with a 100 mb fiber main circuit and 4g Verizon backups circuit (had WiMAX and everything else inbetweener as well). Phones are a PRI so I have 1 coming off the fiber and a backup PRI T1 from another vendor.

Last 20 ISP that cold called me had bundles for backup and main internet. That leaves both points of failure with the vendor though, but it would be simple. TPAC /TMAX had a sprint 4g backup if sprint service comes in.

Phone system, get a bid from a vendor or 2 on a on prem system and maybe they have a hosted IP solution price point as well. Ringcentral, or Costco phones (if they still have that) quote / station and compare that to an onsite phone system divided by the station numbers. Helps sell and evaluate solutions with the owners. Same can be done with licensing email and other servers. At what point does the recurring monthlies cross the relatively fixed cost of the in house software (feel free to add a maintenance contract to this if you need the latest and greatest). When the lines cross, that is when 1 solution is cheaper in the long run. Of course server hardware and storage factor into the in house figures, as does power and cooling…don’t forget cooling off hardware like servers. UPS batteries for all that, maybe a rack.

If you find a solution that you do not know, you can always sub contract it and shadow them as they install and configure to get the basic operations down (Phone system, a new layer 3 switch firewall router).

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All great feedback from the community so far. I love this place! Sounds like you are well on your way with one of the longer poles in the tent - the AT&T Fiber, so that is good news.

I did not see anything so far regarding the voice design here. What are you planning on for phones? Premise pbx with SIP trunks? Cloud hosted? Hybrid? We can help you review any Telephony solutions that may work well here - as we have done for thousands of other IT pro’s (and literally hundreds of SpiceHeads before you). We have plenty of experience with mobile workforces, especially in the logistics/trucking business so we have some fun stuff to maybe talk about there.

We partner with nearly every voip solution in the marketplace (300+ ISP, VoIP and Cloud Providers) , so can make quick work narrowing things down to those we know can execute exactly what you need (and nothing you don’t) as cost effectively as possible.

Shoot me a PM if you ever want to talk live. Happy to help… or you can request help on our website: www.commquotes.com/spiceworks

@firstlast2954