What is better a server system or stand alone computer for smalll business network system?

Researching options for networked business system. Is an expensive server necessary? Will a stand alone computer work just the same? 4 computers are networked currently.

What is better a server system or stand alone computer for smalll business network system?
You do not need a server, a standard computer that is powerful enough will be fine because this becomes the network server.


Gary C.
Reply:You didn't specify what applications you are running. I'll make some assumptions and say get a file server. It makes backup easier than a bunch of individual machines. Make sure everyone uses the server for data they want to backup.





If you get an IT guy, then he can run automatic backup on all machines, but that's probably not you.
Reply:what will the server be used for?


basic file server / e-mail server / web server / print server?





in any case for a 4 computer network a basic workstation can act as a server. it more cost effective and with only 4 pcs I don't see a large need for an expensive server if its only for basic uses.
Reply:Eventually server investment will pay off. U wanna have a centralized and controlled environment. U can still use the old 4 pcs but take off all the software loads from them by loading them up in the server. U can also back up the PCs in the server and setup the PCs as just work stations in a domain structure. I would buy a server for sure.
Reply:Hi, Allot of that depends on what you do, if your doing simple file sharing, a normal computer can do just fine, if your looking into where the users have to log into a domain and have ALOT of security set on the users on what they are allowed and are not allowed to do, then a server would do you more good, but the licensing can run you bit more depending on what kind of server software your using. As far as the hardware used for servers, just like computers, you can get low end or high end, a lower end Dell server is about $460 without the operating system up to $8,000 for a very high end with the Software starting from 500 to 800 for 5 users. While Windows Servers have there place and are well needed in many places, Allot of applications prefer if your on a Server, BUT if you are just using it to share some smaller files or to store back ups, a small peer to peer will do. All depends on what you plan on doing with it. Remember, the more complicated the system, the more maintainance it needs.

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