We are
experienced with Windows NT Server, NT Workstation, Windows 2000/2003 Server,
Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, Backoffice, BackOffice
Small Business Server, Goldmine, Exchange, and Microsoft SQL Server
- Network Planning and Installation
- Hardware & Software Planning and Installation
- Software Setup
- Administration
- Troubleshooting
- Network Monthly Preventative Maintenance
- Apply service packs and updates
- Update antivirus software
- Test restore of tape backup
- Monitor server logs for potential trouble
Contact us for all your network needs.
How to secure a wireless network
- Change the default SSID.
- Turn off the SSID broadcast.
- Turn on MAC filtering.
- Turn on Encryption, WEP (good) or WPA (Better)
Goldmine Certified.
We are an authorized MDaemon reseller.
Network Planning Checklist
- Server Hardware
- RAM (256 MB minimum)
- Processor
- Hard Disk Space
- RAID (RAID 1 (mirror) or RAID 5)
- DAT Drive
- Server Software
- NOS (Network Operating System)
- Tape Backup Software
- Anti-Virus Software
- Application or Terminal Server
- Applications
- Fax Server
- Phone Server
- Internal Mail Server (Exchange or Mdaemon)
- External Fax/Modem
- Dedicated Internet Connection
- Firewall/Proxy/VPN
- 10 BaseT, 100 BaseT, Hub, or Switch
- Premise Wiring
- Wiring the Physical Plant
- Category 5, 100 BaseT Testing and Verification
- UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
- KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch for multiple servers
- Physical Security
- Network Security
Server and Workstation Maintenance
Network Security Recommendations
Ask yourself this important question, "How much work can I get
done today if my computer doesn’t work?"
- Security Policy
- Physically secure the server.
- Don’t leave a workstation logged in to the network.
- Password Length-Minimum 8 characters
- Password Policy
- Change passwords every 30 to 60 days.
- Don’t ever give someone your password or write it down.
- Use at least one capital letter, one number, and one non
alphanumeric character. For example, Kabj34#
- Don’t use words or names for your password, use something like
this.
Use a sentence, for example, I like working at Home 1 #, and take the
first character of each word for the password. IlwaH1#
Having a number, a capital letter and a non alphanumeric character in the password makes it even
more secure. This sort of password is virtually uncrackable.
- Setup the Account Lockout policy on the server. This means if
someone can’t remember their password in 5 tries, they are locked
out. This prevents the use of dictionary type password cracking
programs.
- Only the Network Administrator installs software on server.
- Only the Network Administrator has Administrator access.
- Don't use an Administrative level account for daily work.
- Viruses
- There are more than 60,000 viruses out there, and the number is
growing every day. They are a very real threat to your network.
- If you think your pc was just infected with a virus, hit the power
button and turn it off. Then call someone who can get rid of the
virus.
- Keep your anti virus software up to date. Update it at least once a
month. Every couple of days is better.
- Anything that comes from outside your computer could have a virus.
Always scan any disks from an outside source.
- E-mail is a very easy way to get viruses. That joke you just opened
up could be a virus.
- A good rule for e-mail attachments: If you don’t have to have it,
if you don’t know what it is, no matter who it is from, delete it.
Be especially careful of *.exe files.
- Don’t use company e-mail for personal e-mail, sending jokes, etc. It makes your
company look unprofessional and is a good way to get and spread
viruses. You wouldn’t use company letterhead to write personal mail,
would you?
- If you have to have the file attachment, save it out of the message
first, and then scan it with your anti virus software before you open
it up.
- Don't download anything unless you have to have it, you know
what it is, and you know what you are doing. That fun screen saver you just downloaded could be a
trojan horse program or a virus that could wipe out every file on your
network.
- Keep current Service Packs and Security Updates installed on all
servers and workstations.
Backup Strategies
Backing up your data is extremely important. A typical server network
will use a DAT or DLT drive because of their speed and cost effectiveness.
A layered backup strategy gives you multiple layers of redundancy.
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday tapes that are
rotated every week.
- At least 4 sets of Friday tapes that are
rotated every Friday. These should be kept offsite.
- At
least 3 to 6 months of monthly tapes that get taken offsite.
- Making an archive copy of your data to a CD gives you another layer of
redundancy.
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