SO plans are coming along way for the Internet Cafe. As the networking guy I have decided to use Cisco hardware for the main infrastructure for the Network. Cisco 3550 switches and 2600 routers for main Network access, 3com or Nortel switches for access to the main Infrastrucutre.
It would be nice to have Gigabit Ethernet but I think for our needs 10/100 will be fine.
I just nee to plan what to install on all of the machines and they we are away 
So for the past few weeks I have been spending time in one of my spare bedrooms building my “Computer Lab”. Initially this was where I was going to do my computer repairs. I have built it up into a Study/Training Lab aswel as a place to go to do Customer Repairs.
Now and again a friend of mine comes round and we sit in the lab and study what we need to know to better our knowledge. By doing so may just help us get to where we want to be in the IT industry.
We are both Networking Technicians and we consider ourselves good at our job but we still want to keep learning.
This is the kind of Hardware and Software currently in the lab.
The PDC Server (Primary Domain Controller)
1x Rack mount Server – Intel Pentium Dual Core x2 2.80GHz
1GB DDR Ram
x2 500 GB SATA 2 Hard Drives
Windows Server 2003 – Enterprise Edition.
Active Directory/DHCP/DNS/RIS.
Server 2
Intel Xeon x2 900MHz
512 DDR Ram
x2 300 GB SCSI Hard Drives
Windows Server 2003 – Enterprise
BDC (Backup Domain Controller) / DHCP for Imaging /DNS / Active Directory Directory
This server is also in a case that looks like something from Robot Wars.
This server also has software installed called “RM Community Connect 3″ which is most commonly found in educational establishments. It is software that is built Server wide and then deployed to workstations within the local network. Used by Schools / Colleges and Universities all over the world.
Server 3 – Proxy Server
Linux Ubuntu Server (Debian)
Intel Pentium 3 1Ghz CPU
512 SD-RAM
x2 80GB IDE Hard Drives
Yep you guessed it I even went as far as building my own proxy server, when a Network Technician goes to work in a school or college the knowledge of how proxy servers work and how they are used is essential. Proxy Servers keep people online “Safe”.
This server is located in a desktop ATX case.
PC 1
Intel Pentium 3 800 MHz
512 SD-Ram
20 GB Hard drive
Windows XP Pro – SP3
Symantec Anti-Virus
Joined to the domain connected to the PDC.
PC 2
RM – Slimline Desktop PC
Intel Pentium 4 – 2.80 GHz
780 MB DDR Ram
Windows XP Pro – SP3
Joined to the CC3 Domain.
Joining the Lab together and the heart of the Infrastructure is my Cisco 3548 Layer 2/3 Switch. This is a heavy load switch and does the job we want it flawlessly and we wouldn’t have any other make in the Lab as we do a lot of Cisco courses. CIsco are also the best in Networking Manufacturers also 
.
I have now told you the basics of my Network Lab. Maybe this blog will help you build your own lab ?
If you want some ideas or advice drop me a line.
Catch you later
Chris. IT Networking Technician – http://hullukitservices.is-a-geek.com
CCNA,MCP,
so folks I’ve been rambling on about my website
Here’s the address: http://hullukitservices.is-a-geek.com
Check it out folks and feel free to leave comments, The website is updated either everday or every other day !
Thank You
Just a quick update about my website folks, It’s up & It’s running.
I have now got my adsense running and all my pages are in order, So It’s up too you the people of the world to start viewing.
I am hosting my website on my very own web server. This wasn’t intentional and certianly wasn’t what I had in mind. I am however pleased that I am as I’m a trianed network & computer engineer and It’s an achievement for me.
So my webser is nothing flash, It’s a Server with 3 GB of Ram and 620GB Disk space! It’s also running through my Cisco 3648 Switch and the port on which the server is plugged into is running at a nice 1000MB on link speed (Full Duplex of course)
I have just installed webmin so thast I have some sort of config console for editing and uploading new pages to the server. I have also just installed the newest version of AWStats so that I can see who’s visited!
The biggest problem is IP addressing, But solved that problem staright away by setting up DNS servers and also using a primary DNS Server online.
So I looked on the net for a decent webserver operating system and my main webserver OS is Linux Ubuntu, However I am going to be designing, building and implementing a Brand new web server which will run on the CentOS operating system, I have the new server it’s just a matter of having time to load it up & get it on the net! The new server is the same specs as the main one which I am using now.
Anyway, I think that I have rambled on enough and probarbly bored you with all this technical jargon……
So I’ll leave it there
Thanks for viewing, More coming soon!
Hey folks of the world wide web,
Well past few days have been weird for thought! Isn’t it amazing just what can be achieved with Brain Power.
Thinking of starting my own PC Repair business, whilst obviously playing across the board and offering as many services as I can for the lowest prices possible!
I have come up with a hundred and one ways to make “Quick Cash” that involves some way or another “Computers”! I have built my new website with some great help and tools provided by my Father-In-Law.
The website is not finished yet by far but I will be using this blog to keep my website up to date.
Thanks for looking at my blog – more to come soon!
Chris.
