Totally makes since.

But could we get a little bit more information, like amount of users, storage requirements, Server OS you want to use, and how often you plan to replicate the data.

If you plan to use windows to do all the work, you could get a server depending on resources you will need to handle the VPN with routing and remote access that comes with Windows Server 2008/R2 and use DFS (Distributed File System) to replicate all the files. But the server will depend on amount of users and data. You will need Windows Server at both offices to make this work.

Now you could always put in a Hardware VPN solution such as two CISCO/Juniper Firewalls to connect the two offices in a WAN, then just use the servers to implement the DFS. But there will be another cost to that and learning curve.

"Totally makes since.

But could we get a little bit more information, like amount of users, storage requirements, Server OS you want to use, and how often you plan to replicate the data.

If you plan to use windows to do all the work, you could get a server depending on resources you will need to handle the VPN with routing and remote access that comes with Windows Server 2008/R2 and use DFS (Distributed File System) to replicate all the files. But the server will depend on amount of users and data. You will need Windows Server at both offices to make this work.

Now you could always put in a Hardware VPN solution such as two CISCO/Juniper Firewalls to connect the two offices in a WAN, then just use the servers to implement the DFS. But there will be another cost to that and learning curve. "

Do them a favor and Virtualize them. You shoudl be able to make a little bank off of it too.

hi rick they have around 5 to 8 possible users and the data's that they will storing are just basic documents like reports quotations and similar things. they want a windows OS for the system. so you mean that they need to purchase two server system to make this DFS work? two similar system?.

im curious regarding the hardware VPN solution.. can you give me some more idea regarding this?

is it possible for a server scenario like the main server is in the main office while workstations/PC's on the other office store their files on the server on the main office?

Virtualization is new to me as well.

im really grateful that you give me some ideas these means a lot because im still starting to be familiar with all these server stuff so your reply is highly appreciated

It's just that to me, it really doesn't make sense to buy a new physical server anymore and not use it to virtualize.

Same cost and you can do so much more with it. Do they have a budget to work with? is the budget "cheap as possible"?

they have a budget but not that much around 4 to 5K is it enough? thanks

cont

I totally agree with JOHNADCO and Virtualization is the way to go these days, But...... It requires more investment, Learning and Money. At the moment with a budget of 4 to 5K you will not be able to accomplish this, for the size of the implementation I would not even recommend it. The benefits you could get from Virtual is 99.999% uptime, get more use out of your physical hardware, ease of hardware deployment and many other things. To learn more about what Virtualization can do for you have a look here. http://www.vmware.com/virtualization/

Definitely something to keep in mind, but to start even a small Fault Tolerance, High Performance Virtual Environment you are looking at a 30K budget and that would be for one site. I am aiming low. You can do it the cheap way, but I won't lead you down that way.
Now for the server, I think a nice Tower server would do the Job for you. You could go ahead and look up the price on a PowerEdge T110, http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/first-server-solution.aspx?dgc=IR&lid=&cid=us:en:bsd:enterprise-products&ref=gzilla you can get into this server for about $3,500 each. This would give you 4 GB of RAM decent processor, 3 TB of Usable HDD space, with a RAID 5 Plus Windows Server 2008 (Standard) But go to the site and build one to see for yourself.

Now all of this was IMHO, but hopefully it gives you some help. I am by no means a master, but hoping to get there some day.
Have a good one

Hey Mark
Ok so it is a very small setup, but you will need more like a 7,000 to 9,000 Dollar Budget to make this work. Depending on the amount of Servers, and if you go Hardware VPN or Software.

Yes you would need two servers to make DFS work, and they can be the same, or the head office one can be a little bit better than the branch office (They do not have to be the same, just easier to support if they are for you). Basically the way DFS will work is you can host the files at the Head Office, and then inside Windows configure DFS to replicate to the other server. You can then have a replicated copy at the Branch office. Any changes or new files that are created at the Branch office will get replicated to the Head Office. The replication is also very Bandwidth Friendly once you have the initial replication done. If you would like to learn more about DFS go to the following link http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc787066(WS.10).aspx

Now you could just have a server located at the Head Office and have the users at the Branch office connect to the server over a WAN connection, but you will need to make sure you have a good enough WAN connection to Host the users connecting to the Server to pull their files, The DFS will work better just for the fact the users will be getting there files local, and then the servers will handle the replication.
The Hardware VPN solution would require you to buy Two Firewalls/Routers/Service Gateway that will allow you to create a SSL/IPSEC tunnel from you Head Office Network to your Branch office. That way both of your offices would be able to see each other’s LANS. You can accomplish this with Windows Server, and it may be a good solution for you right now, just for the low budget. Each device will cost you around $1000.00, I recommend Juniper or Cisco. I use Juniper and for your site a SSG5 would do the Job http://www.juniper.net/us/en/products-services/security/ssg-series/
cont........

He needs two hosts and two md3000i's?
Seems almost do-able.

What physical servers were you going to purchase and what locations will they be at?

Seems to me you need two hosts and one MD3000i if going with dell stuff

wow im very grateful for the infos its clearer now i really just took a shot in the dark when i agreed for the Job cause i will never learn if i wont try it.. ive learned a lot from you and JOHNADCO compared to my countless hours of research in the internet.. i could not thank you enough hopefully someday i will be able to assist others like you guys did.. thanks and thanks again :)

Hey Mark

No problem and good luck with it.

Have a good one.