The above mentioned are very useful information on the small business network adding to that may be have a look at this some factors How to set up your small business computer network - http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/How-to-set-up-your-small-business-computer-network-Essential-Guide which may gives you some guidance.
Hello
I have been approached by someone to help out with his small business network. It has already been setup but it would seem the previous IT guy made a bit of a mess of it.
Anyway, I have only experience with adminitering networks and little to no experience with setting up or troubleshooting them to any large degree. I know what needs to be done but unsure how to go about it. I have told him this and he is happy for me to learn on the job and understands that it may be a much longer process than normal. Hes needs arent that great and I think he just needs someone he knows he can trust to administer the network every once in a while who knows the network once its running as it should.
So im basically on a reasearch mission at the moment to find out what I need to focus on and how to configure certain apects of the network, so any advise/helpfull resources anyone can provide would be appreciated.
Now because of the issues he had with the previous "professional" he employed (and he was a proffessional) I dont think theres much of a budget to speak of. At the moment he has a 10/12 computer network and VOIP. The computers only have windows XP installed and I have advised he needs to upgrade them as there is no way they will be able to handle windows 7. I beleive he has one pc capable of running windows 7 which is the one I will be working with for now. The server has exchange installed on it and is also used for file sharing. WSUS is also setup on the server but is currently not working so i guess I will have to do that from scratch. The switch/router is made by zyxel, im not that familiar with network hardware but im pretty sure this is a budget brand?
Theres probably plenty of information I have missed so any questions please ask. Im pretty sure I know enough to manage this but having not done anything like this before Im just worried im going to misconfigure somthing and wreck the network due to my in inexperience. So any guides/resources you can advise would be much appreciated.
Thanks for your time

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