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Thaumaturgos

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#39511 15-Aug-2009 16:52
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Hi all

I run a homestay for overseas students.  We currently have 15 students, all of whom are high internet users.  The basic modems that come with most broadband plans cannot cope with the range of work expected.

Our configuration includes two wireless routers so that the entire site is covered. 

Someone has suggested to me that we really need a server. The problem is that Im a lamb to the slaughter of sales patter givers.  I have been shown units "that will do trhe job" for $455.  They may well "doo the job" and if they do i dont mind the price, but I dont want to waste the money.

All the shops I have visited are generalists.

So what is a good server for 15 users all connecting by wireless, using about 150 gigabytes per month?  And where woudl I get it?

Thanks in advance

Anthony

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boby55
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  #246988 15-Aug-2009 17:13
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Are you wishing to have any restrictions on the internet e.g p2p blocking? the chances are you don't need a server



freitasm
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  #246989 15-Aug-2009 17:19
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Someone will probably post something with links here, but you don't need a server. You need a router with good management, including limiting some services over the Internet, reporting utilisation so yo can track who uses what and possibly manage what times of the day anyone can use the Internet.





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Ragnor
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  #247010 15-Aug-2009 18:35
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15 people sharing a single ADSL connection will be painful without some kind of quality of service (QoS) rules setup (ie: normal www high, downloads low priority).  One person using bit torrent can ruin the performance for everyone.

As it sounds like you're not that tech oriented I think WebGauge might be a suitable solution for you.

http://www.webgauge.co.nz/

Maybe Tomizone or Zenbu could suit your sitation also

http://www.zenbu.net.nz/
http://www.tomizone.com/

There are some good DIY solutions but they are fairly complex and require a higher level of tech savvyness and a willingless to do a bunch of setup and tweaking which I get the feeling you wouldn't be interested in?




Thaumaturgos

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  #247087 15-Aug-2009 23:28
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Hey guys. Thanks for the speedy responses.

The key is my lack of tech savvy. So yes I want to block p2p stuff, but frankly dont know how. i'll follow up some of the suggestions given and report back my 'success'.

Thaumaturgos

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  #247088 15-Aug-2009 23:39
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Oh, I guess a good question then is what sort of basic modem should I purchase, to go with the two wirelss routers we have installed that spread the signal round the site (th eplace is very spread out)?

Ragnor
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  #247096 16-Aug-2009 00:16
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Some questions:

What ISP are you with at the moment? What ADSL modem/router do you at the moment? What are the makes and models of the wireless routers you have at at the moment?

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