What's the best small business server solution for LV-based conulting

[Darrell]

I'm part of a small and growing LabVIEW-based consulting company that has outgrown its peer-to peer network and looking for the best file server solution. I'm hoping to learn from somebody else's experience and maybe even get a little debate going.

We are currently using Tortoise SVN for version control on a portable USB drive and want to move it to a dedicated file server. And while we're at it, let's throw in web access so we can commit and update files from off-site. So, we're looking at anything from:

a. Buying a new full-blown server running Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008

b. Dusting off an old PC and installing Ubuntu

Any suggestions?

[PJM_labview]

I will do option c.

c. Get someone else to do it for you.

What that mean is that your business is "LabVIEW-based consulting" not maintaining servers, update it, patch it, protect it and so on...

So I would advise to host all your code with a web hosting company so you can focus on your LabVIEW jobs.

PJM

[Maca]

Iam for option D:

"Buying a full blown server (with at least RAID 6 and tape backups) and installing Ubuntu Server Edition"

Remember your business relies on this server and the data it holds, so don't skimp.

You just need to ask your self, how much will it cost if your server goes tits up and you lose all your data?

Failing option D, go option C.

For a good list of SVN hosting providers see: http://www.svnhostingcomparison.com/ (remember to set "OSS only" to no)

[Jim Kring]

QUOTE (xuniL @ Mar 22 2009, 08:23 PM)

I'm part of a small and growing LabVIEW-based consulting company that has outgrown its peer-to peer network and looking for the best file server solution. I'm hoping to learn from somebody else's experience and maybe even get a little debate going.

We are currently using Tortoise SVN for version control on a portable USB drive and want to move it to a dedicated file server. And while we're at it, let's throw in web access so we can commit and update files from off-site. So, we're looking at anything from:

a. Buying a new full-blown server running Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008

b. Dusting off an old PC and installing Ubuntu

Any suggestions?

Whenever possible, use a hosted solution from a company you trust. As PJM said, stick to LabVIEW and leave the IT headaches for the pros (masochists).

Here are several companies that offer subversion hosting (note: I'm not recommending any of them). You can find others by googling "subversion hosting".

http://cvsdude.com/

http://wush.net/

http://svnrepository.com/

http://www.codespaces.com/

Good luck,

-Jim

[PaulG.]

Think of data backups as well. I'm of the belief that if your data is not backed up in two different locations it doesn't exist. But whatever road you choose I'll agree with everyone else: let someone else drive.

[ASTDan]

I just got this.

http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-ReadyNAS-Des...9520&sr=8-1

I went with it because I didn't have to learn how to manage a server. So far I like it.

[Darrell]

Wow! What great feedback, and from some pretty big hitters too. I'll check out the links provided. Giving this part of the business over to a service provider sounds like a wise option, but being the geek that I am, it's going to be hard giving it up.

[crelf]

QUOTE (xuniL @ Mar 23 2009, 04:13 PM)

Giving this part of the business over to a service provider sounds like a wise option, but being the geek that I am, it's going to be hard giving it up.

Geek-out about the innovative LabVIEW stuff you're doing, not the boring server stuff that someone else can do. Seriously - if you try to do it yourself, you'll likely forget something and loose everything, or you'll implement a server architecture that's fine for now, but doesn't allow you to grow (meaning pain in the medium to long term).

[Darrell]

Here are several companies that offer subversion hosting (note: I'm not recommending any of them). You can find others by googling "subversion hosting".

http://cvsdude.com/[/post]

http://wush.net/

http://svnrepository.com/

http://www.codespaces.com/

Just a follow-up. I found a good site that compares SVN Hosting: http://www.svnhostingcomparison.com/

Edited February 21, 2010 by xuniL