GOALS

Mid-size firm required at the server level an upgrade to meet application compatibility, unattended backup, and a company-wide anti-virus solution. At the workstation level computers needed to be upgraded, tightened security to prevent unauthorized application installations and reduce the virus infections and due to extensive document transfers via e-mail, users email needed to be backed up daily.

OBSERVATION

The existing network system had an older Dell server with Windows NT as the domain controller, a high-speed Internet connection, 10 MBS hubs and a variety of desktop computers ranging from 486 to Pentium I and P III processors with Windows 95 and 98. There was a variety of virus programs loaded on each workstation.

SOLUTIONS

A new Dell server was installed with Windows 2000 as a new domain controller in a new domain. New 10/100 MBS switches were installed in place of all 10 MBS hubs. A 20 gig DDS backup drive was installed with Veritas backup software for unattended backup. Norton Anti-virus Corporate edition was installed and setup to receive all virus definition updates and pass the definitions off to each client on the workstations. A single workstation was built with Windows 2000 PRO and both shrink-wrapped and custom applications as well as Norton Anti-Virus client were installed and tested in the new Windows 2000 environment. Once determined as good the test workstation was imaged via Remote Installation Services to the new server. Then from each users desktop using DHCP and boot to LAN technology a new RIS image was installed with all apps to each unit. Roaming profiles were setup for each user allowing for the profiles to be backed up at the server, to allow login from any computer in the office and for all Outlook Express email folders to be backed up at the server. Due to custom needs, the My Documents folders on each workstation were redirected to the server for daily backups of each users files. Using Active Directory and Group Policy each desktop can be locked down for prevention of application installations, and the Norton Corporate Edition keeps the Anti-virus definitions updated throughout the entire network.