JM> I have been given the task of setting up a small office 
 JM> system and while I have been working with computers for 
 JM> many years I am completely ignorant as far as networks
 JM> are concerned.  I would like to list what I want to accomplish,
                     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 JM> mention what *I* think I need to do and
 JM> ask you to tell me if I am on the right track or if there
 JM> is something that I have overlooked.

 JM> Would someone PLEASE comment and tell me if I am on the right track
 JM> here. Thanks so much for your help.
Before I could comment on your hardware choices, I need to know what this 
network is going do DO. Is it's purpose to;
- share access among workers to a joint productivity package like MS Office?
- share access to a joint business database ?
- share access to hardware resources, such as a CDROM tower or a laser 
printer?
- provide access for multiple PC's in the office to the Internet thru a 
singles communications link (PPP, ISDN, or T1 link)?
- some combination of the above
or 
- purpose is unknown; boss has been reading computer magazines and decided 
"we 
should have a network, because everybody else has one so if we don't we won't 
be competitive"
Other significant factors here are 
- how much money is/can be allocated to this project
- what's the geographic layout
   - how many PC's are you going to want to link
   - how far apart are they
   - are they in the same room, on the same floor, in the same building
Not so many years ago, I (and probably a lot of others in this echo) was 
exactly where you are now. Fill in the details, and we can all probably make 
some useful suggestions. 
                                                                  
--- Maximus 2.02
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