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Question

Local Server

Apr 25, 2016 11:57AM PDT

Hello all. Two years ago I was assigned the task of taking our office from an outdated and small local server to a Microsoft Exchange server and it's been a disaster on the part of Microsoft so I'm looking into switching back to a local server. I have zero idea how to use them, let alone set up and maintain or research to find the right one. We're on Windows 10 and have 5 PCs I need to network. I'm looking for input from you on: which one to choose, good YouTube tutorials, etc. Thank you in advance.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: server
Apr 25, 2016 12:50PM PDT

Microsoft Exchange Server is software, and from your post I understand that you want to replace it hardware. That's impossible. You can't replace software by hardware, not that software anyway.
End of the story.

Better find someone to do set it all up. His first step will be to get the requirements clear.

Post was last edited on April 25, 2016 12:51 PM PDT

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Server
Apr 25, 2016 1:16PM PDT

Thank you for your kind response. As I said, and as it states in my username: I'm not quite a techie. That's why I asked for the help of you in the land of Cnet. We had a clunky, on-site, too-small-for-what-we-needed hardware server. I put all that info into the Exchange cloud server. We've had too many problems with the online and want to switch back to an in-house server. I will, of course, be putting the info back on the local server when I learn how it's done. If you can't answer my questions, I'll move on. If there's someone out there who can decently lead me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. I'm no techie, but I'm no dummy either. I learned how to use the online server. I can learn how to use the local hardware. I'm sure there's software to learn that goes along with the hardware that I will figure out. If you can help I'll appreciate it. If not, thanks for your help thus far.

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In the future ask questions.
May 3, 2016 5:20PM PDT

I read your two posts here and not one question was posed.

Questions usually end in a question mark. Try this next time so it's clear what you are asking.

Example:

What is your question?

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Answer
Taking into account your top post and it's replies.
Apr 25, 2016 1:44PM PDT

This sounds to me you want someone to do what your IT crew should be doing or and I could be wrong here, someone that can condense all that is known to a few paragraphs and a few YouTubes.

I've yet to find this or a person that has the skill to condense this to such a small space as these reply boxes.

I'm unsure of what your Local Server roles are here. I could be guessing it will be hosting your Exchange Server but that would me guessing. There are seminars and training courses aplenty in my country (USA) and other countries I've been in (Canada, Taiwan.) So maybe it's time to take a few of those courses? Some folk revolt at the idea that books and courses are needed. I know I can install and admin Exchange Server 2012 and prior but would want a refresher course on today's versions.

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Answer
It's not a printer.
May 3, 2016 4:34PM PDT

Setting up a small business server isn't exactly like installing a printer on your network where you can just follow an easy guide. It requires extensive knowledge of network protocols, port mapping, and the likes. If you have no experience with this, you need to hire someone who does.

DIY with no networking experience is going to lead to disaster in a case like this.