So, through my retail job, I got talking to a guy who is on the board of a local firehouse. He told me about their environment, computers, etc, and they are in desperate need of a refresh. I have no issue telling a customer I don't sell what they need and pointing them elsewhere...cough...NTG...cough
Anyways, here's the info I do have:
They currently have quite a few printers, including at least one Kyocera B/W laser and a Canon inkjet. I recommended we consolidate some of the color inkjets into one color laser, and have me come install it. I could use that time to also assess what we needed to do. I know they have wireless issues with signal quality/strength due to what I'm guessing is a highly insufficient WAP/router and having steel doors, etc. They have the system running their doors on a legacy XP desktop that, if it died, they'd be unable to unlock/open doors. Their desktops are all pretty old as well.
What I'm thinking so far:
- Ubiquiti networking equipment to replace whatever is there, with multiple WAPs to extend range and coverage
- HP Probooks for anyone with a laptop that still needs it, and HP Elitedesks for the desktops
- The Chief and Treasurer print mostly black, so eliminate what is believed to be inkjets for B/W lasers and have any color go to the color laser that I will sell them initially
- For the door system, initally P2V the machine to get it off the legacy hardware and move it to something like an HP Proliant Microserver with a RAID1
- If I can convince them to go to NTG after I've done the refresh, I can virtualize the server, because otherwise they'd be lost without IT to support them, and I'd have little choice but to go physical
- If I can get them into NTG's hands long-term, use ESXi free, at least for now, and do the P2V until another solution can be determined and also setup a Unitrends Free to back up that and anything else that might be needed
I haven't gotten to look at the environment yet, so some of this might change, and other stuff might be added. I will be getting them business-grade equipment, and my retail store sells all this stuff on the website, so I can order them all that stuff, including the Ubiquiti. My biggest concern right now is the door system, because if that machine dies, they are in SERIOUS trouble.
Of course, all this is speculative at this point, but I think there's a good chance this could happen. I know the Microservers aren't that powerful but for what I understand is needed right now, that would be fine. I doubt we'll need AD for such a small environment, as that would add a lot of complication without necessarily a lot of benefit. I will also look at how their files are laid out, and possibly recommend a ReadyNAS, depending on the need.
Thanks!
A.J.
