New SQL Server Impl''n, Could you Help me with it??
-
TIA for your time if you decide to help me here. And please know that it will be very much appreciated.
I have a proposal to make, and I wanted to get some expert thoughts on it. To preface it, we're a small trucking company and will implement a newly purchased Integrated Accounting and Trucking (IAT) package on SQL Server. Of course being small means a budget implementation!!!! Ever heard that before??
We currently have:
* W2K server running a pervasive DB accounting package
* 5 PC's
* 10/100 switch
* Linksys router
* cable modem internet access (1.5mbs download / 384mbs upload)
We will have:
* A Primary W2003 server running a SQL Server integrated accounting and trucking application (IAT) (New Server is purchased)
* 20 PC's (in the next 3 years)
* 10/100 switches
* A remote Disaster Recovery site with a Backup SQL Server running the application & receiving updates from the primary SQL Server
* Router / FW / VPN
* cable modem internet access (1.5mbs download / 384mbs upload)
* DSL internet access (DL / UL unknown)
Setting up W2003 server, SQL Server, installing the application and connecting the clients on the LAN should be fairly routine. I anticipate only the normal SNAFU's that come with a new app.
I am conserned about the remote Disaster Recovery site with the Backup SQL Server running IAT & receiving updates.
We would like to have IAT, up to date on both servers at all times, or as close as possible within the constraints of dedicated DSL / Cable modem access to the internet.
I've been told of a couple possiblites; replication and Log shipping, with the following results:
REPLICATION: Not feasible because a T1 line would be needed, to complete the replication in a timely fashion so the local client response time would not be slowed, during replication. (is this really true?)
LOG SHIPPING: Ship a log to a local PC, zip it and ftp to the remote server. The remote server would then import the log file. This would have to be done on a schedule, say every 5-10 minutes.
*) Replication: Is it true that Replication will require a full T1 or can it be done with a cable connection?
*) Log Shipping: Would it be difficult to write and schedule all the file export/imports and file transfers?
Are there purchase/free packages that could be adapted for my environment?
If it has to be written, is there an easy scripting package you would recommend?
------------------------------------------------------------------
I know this is an SQL forum but could you direct me to, or recommend a router, firewall and VPN solution?
VPN
The two sites will need a secure VPN connection.
Salesmen will need to VPN to the server from motels at times. Clerks and Mgmt will need to VPN from Home. I estimate a max of 15 simultaneous sessions ever (during a disaster). 95% of the time, maybe 3 simultaneous connections.
They will probably use Terminal Server for remote access.
Any simple recommendations? (I realize the upload BW may need to be increased to support this. Any BW recommendation on a per terminal server session basis?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ROUTER
There will be a cable connection and a DSL connection. Any router recommendations, to route between the connections?
I haven't played with Linksys before, but doubt that the current Linksys router can support two internet connections and route between them (cable and dsl). I have used Cisco routers and know how to do it, but not with a small Linksys.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
FIREWALL
Any firewall recommendations?
If anyone has the time to look at this I'll be overjoyed to provide any additional information for your analysis.
Many Many Thanks
-
This was removed by the editor as SPAM
-
There are some great articles on log shipping including a script on this site. I've never used the script but its worth looking into. I agree that replication is probably not as good as log shipping in this case.
One of the sponsors of this site - Red-Gate- has a backup compression product that can be used for log shipping as well since it easily creates copies of backup files. In the product documention they've written an outline for log shipping, both in terms of the passing of backup files and the restoration should that become required. This software is also cheaper than other backup compression software.
Sorry I can't help with your other questions on routers, firewall or VPN. Although there are some discussion on those topics on this site, look around. You may want to check out open source solutions for secure vpn or firewalls if money is an issue. You could always change later if the solution isn't working.
Francis
-
Thanks for your thoughts. I do appreciated it.
Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply