Server Help

VoKaL · 07-25-2008, 12:48 PM

Hopefully the tech guys can give me some insight...

Basically i have 5 computers with an employee on each one. I want to be able to monitor the each computer from one single computer. See what website they are curently surfing, what emails they wrote, etc. On top of that i want to have one centralized location for all the applications and data.

So the 5 desktop computers i currently have should have nothing on there. They should have to login to the server and from there run mozilla, openoffice, quickbooks, and a couple other files.

Anyone want to give me some insight on what i would need, and so on?

430ztt · 07-25-2008, 01:17 PM

Im not sure but you may be able to do it all with Virtualization. Just use the 5 desktops to "session" into the virtual server and you could have virtual desktops created. This would centralize all your files and programs to one server...

Now I am new to virtualization and have minimal experience with it so far but I think it can work for you. Would also cut down on having to upgrade each desktop in the future, you would only have to upgrade the server since everything is in a virtual environment.

cracka350z · 07-25-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 430ztt

Im not sure but you may be able to do it all with Virtualization. Just use the 5 desktops to "session" into the virtual server and you could have virtual desktops created. This would centralize all your files and programs to one server...

Now I am new to virtualization and have minimal experience with it so far but I think it can work for you. Would also cut down on having to upgrade each desktop in the future, you would only have to upgrade the server since everything is in a virtual environment.

virtualization is a little different than that. virtualization is when you use 1 server to "virtualize" 2 or more.

as far as what you need, you just need a basic server. i actually work at dell so if you need something i can set you up with a server specialist if you want some quotes or something. and this is not me trying to sell...im trying to help lol..

edit - virtualization is also very expensive due to the software and upgrades you would have to do to compensate

csZ · 07-25-2008, 01:43 PM

It really is simple what you want but like craka350z said, you will need a server. After that it's a little setup here and there and a couple programs and you'd be in business. You can order a starter server from Dell with Small Business Server 2003 and you'd have most of the stuff that you would need.

cracka350z · 07-25-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csZ

It really is simple what you want but like craka350z said, you will need a server. After that it's a little setup here and there and a couple programs and you'd be in business. You can order a starter server from Dell with Small Business Server 2003 and you'd have most of the stuff that you would need.

thanks for the dell support!

C4talyst · 07-27-2008, 07:48 AM

Google for employee monitoring software...lotta stuff out there. Save your money, no server needed.

blinkme323 · 07-27-2008, 04:28 PM

Depends on how complex you want to get, but a server and SBS 2003 is probably your best bet. After that, set yourself up as an admin and you are all set.

Old Master Q · 07-28-2008, 04:16 AM

Terminal Services for Microsoft or Citrix for the applications. you won't be able to block internet access unless you enable access lists on your firewall/router, that or use a proxy server. do you really need to go this route? i'd imagine at the end of it all you're going to have some pretty pissed off employees.

csZ · 07-28-2008, 08:24 AM

Well you can block/monitor Internet access if you install a software that is for that like websense or something. Websense is a little expensive but they did just buy Surf Control, which was a great program that was easy to use. I think that Websense has an "express" version but I haven't used it yet to say whether it's any good or not. Most of them require running Active Directory to be able to view/control from a central location.

jesseenglish · 07-28-2008, 08:57 AM

You're planning on monitoring their emails and web surfing? You'd better have a serious banner warning when they log on explaining the fact that you're monitoring their every move. I think a better idea is to have a detailed acceptable use policy that they have to sign. If you have to micromanage your employee's actions on the internet, perhaps it's time to get new employees or new management.

roast · 07-28-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesseenglish

You're planning on monitoring their emails and web surfing? You'd better have a serious banner warning when they log on explaining the fact that you're monitoring their every move. I think a better idea is to have a detailed acceptable use policy that they have to sign. If you have to micromanage your employee's actions on the internet, perhaps it's time to get new employees or new management.

Which planet do you live on?

jesseenglish · 07-28-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roast

Which planet do you live on?

Depending on your state, you can't just read employee email whenever you want. Unless a policy is specifically written and agreed to by employees, they may have a reasonable expectation of privacy even working on a company computer. What if an employee is checking personal email. Do you have something outlining what they can and can't do on company computers?

I can't imagine any time where I'd need a server so I could read employee's email. Acceptable use policies and training should be more than enough deterrent for improper computer usage. If it isn't, the employees shouldn't be working there anyways. It seems like a major waste of resources.

To answer the OPs question, it sounds like he's looking for a terminal server/thin client solution.

07-25-2008, 12:48 PM	#1
VoKaL Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Orlando Posts: 502 iTrader: (0)	Server Help Hopefully the tech guys can give me some insight... Basically i have 5 computers with an employee on each one. I want to be able to monitor the each computer from one single computer. See what website they are curently surfing, what emails they wrote, etc. On top of that i want to have one centralized location for all the applications and data. So the 5 desktop computers i currently have should have nothing on there. They should have to login to the server and from there run mozilla, openoffice, quickbooks, and a couple other files. Anyone want to give me some insight on what i would need, and so on?

07-25-2008, 01:17 PM	#2
430ztt ZCCO Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 514 iTrader: (0)	Im not sure but you may be able to do it all with Virtualization. Just use the 5 desktops to "session" into the virtual server and you could have virtual desktops created. This would centralize all your files and programs to one server... Now I am new to virtualization and have minimal experience with it so far but I think it can work for you. Would also cut down on having to upgrade each desktop in the future, you would only have to upgrade the server since everything is in a virtual environment. __________________ _____430ZTT_____ ZCCO Member #58

07-28-2008, 04:16 AM	#8
Old Master Q tkman35 -> omq Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: mygtr principality of Sealand Posts: 2,362 iTrader: (6)	Terminal Services for Microsoft or Citrix for the applications. you won't be able to block internet access unless you enable access lists on your firewall/router, that or use a proxy server. do you really need to go this route? i'd imagine at the end of it all you're going to have some pretty pissed off employees. __________________ Team DNF \| Putting the "I" back in "TEAM" xbl/old master q - psn/oldmastahq

07-28-2008, 08:57 AM	#10
jesseenglish Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Earth Posts: 5,715 iTrader: (0)	You're planning on monitoring their emails and web surfing? You'd better have a serious banner warning when they log on explaining the fact that you're monitoring their every move. I think a better idea is to have a detailed acceptable use policy that they have to sign. If you have to micromanage your employee's actions on the internet, perhaps it's time to get new employees or new management. __________________ History is not going to be kind to liberals. With their mindless programs, they've managed to do to Black Americans what slavery, Reconstruction, and rank racism found impossible: destroy their family and work ethic. - Walter Williams

07-25-2008, 01:43 PM	#4
csZ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 107 iTrader: (0)	It really is simple what you want but like craka350z said, you will need a server. After that it's a little setup here and there and a couple programs and you'd be in business. You can order a starter server from Dell with Small Business Server 2003 and you'd have most of the stuff that you would need.

07-27-2008, 07:48 AM	#6
C4talyst Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 1,215 iTrader: (0)	Google for employee monitoring software...lotta stuff out there. Save your money, no server needed.

07-27-2008, 04:28 PM	#7
blinkme323 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Philly Posts: 190 iTrader: (3)	Depends on how complex you want to get, but a server and SBS 2003 is probably your best bet. After that, set yourself up as an admin and you are all set.

07-28-2008, 08:24 AM	#9
csZ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 107 iTrader: (0)	Well you can block/monitor Internet access if you install a software that is for that like websense or something. Websense is a little expensive but they did just buy Surf Control, which was a great program that was easy to use. I think that Websense has an "express" version but I haven't used it yet to say whether it's any good or not. Most of them require running Active Directory to be able to view/control from a central location.