Network setup for High School Computer Lab

[Takumapako]

Hie everyone,

I have been tasked with setting up a high school computer lab (40 computers). For now they have no internet, but are planning on adding internet in the near future. I need your assistance in setting up the following:

1. Setting up a network for the 40 computers
- what hardware equipment will i need? Routers, switches, ethernet cables, etc
2. Installing all necessary software on all PC's.
- What OS do you recommend? (I am thinking of Windows 7 Ultimate)
- I intend to add Microsoft Office, a dictionary application and an encyclopaedia. Any other suggestions are welcome.
3. I need the network set up for now with no internet, but set up such that when we have internet it will be a matter of connecting it (to the server or router/switch, maybe), and all PC's have an internet connection with minimal or no configurations needing to be done.
4. How do i set up student accounts and a network storage so that
- Each and every student has own account which they use to log in
- A student can access their personal files from any computer they would have logged into with their profile.

I am new to networking, my area is hardware and software. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Taku

 

[kanewolf]

You need to create a windows domain so that you don't have to create accounts on each device. Windows ultimate is not a typical choice for a client OS. Enterprise is more typical.
You say your "area is hardware and software", but the very basic questions you are asking about a windows domain sound like you have never setup one before.

 

[Takumapako]

You need to create a windows domain so that you don't have to create accounts on each device. Windows ultimate is not a typical choice for a client OS. Enterprise is more typical.
You say your "area is hardware and software", but the very basic questions you are asking about a windows domain sound like you have never setup one before.

Thanks very much for your reply. Yes, I have never set up a domain before. I am sure if i google that up i can get it, but still any pointers and hints in doing that would be very welcome.

Regards
Taku

 

[bill001g]

What you are asking is how do I fly a airplane, please give it to me in 5 or less steps because I do not want to spend the time to learn.

You are talking about something people take many years to learn. There are actually a number of certifications people get to prove they know this stuff to employers

As suggested above start by learning how to setup up a domain. The first thing you need is a windows server license. What you are asking for is exactly what microsoft domain servers are designed to do.

 

[kanewolf]

I would recommend that you get an expert in setting up your Windows domain. It is not something that should be done for the first time, in a production (students depending on it) situation.

Networking, is pretty straight forward. 48 port switch, firewall, couple domain servers, client workstations. If you can't pull cable to a cental location, then you could use smaller 8 - 12 port switches at a table level and then uplink those switches to a core switch. I would recommend managed switches. They allow an administrator to disable ports so that random hosts can't be plugged in. Best practice is to disable all unused ports.

 

[The Paladin]

why do I get the feeling this IS a student trying to get an answer to a school project

 

[kanewolf]

why do I get the feeling this IS a student trying to get an answer to a school project

Quite possible...