Major network installation for a large firm of solicitors

The Longueville Gittins Client/Server network is based upon Microsoft Windows 2003 Active Directory Services which provides services across two sites for more than 50 users. Branch office users connect to the head office using a 3DES Site-to-Site VPN tunnel for the secure connection over broadband and Microsoft Terminal Services for access to the business applications. Members of staff also use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) client installed on their laptops which enables them to gain access to necessary information while away from the office. Client operating systems ranged from Windows 98 to Windows XP Professional. 

Typically as with most customer environments over a period of time the network had grown with servers and clients upgraded or installed where necessary to resolve a particular problem. The existing server cabinet did not have the capacity to provide adequate storage for new servers and the location was not acceptable due to the noise levels generated by the active equipment. 

The vitally important Practice Manager application was due for a substantial upgrade and Longueville Gittins asked Micro Plus Networks to assist with this upgrade / server room relocation and provide a solution that would be reliable and scalable over a 3 year period. After various project meetings with LG and the Practice Manager Application software supplier Micro Plus Networks were able to specify the hardware and software requirements which included the following: 

• Relocate the server room to allow for addition of new servers and reduce noise and heat levels within the office
• Upgrade active equipment to Gigabit managed switches
• Provide CAT6 cabling from the new server room to the main cabinet location providing 1Gb speeds between servers and switches
• Upgrade the existing to PC’s where appropriate to ensure recommended system requirements for the new practice manager application. Provide new PC’s for any systems that did not meet the recommended specifications

• All Client Operating systems to be a minimum of Windows XP Professional
• All Microsoft Office versions to be Office 2003
• Ensure all servers connect to the LAN at 1Gb connection to the LAN
• Ensure all workstations have a minimum of 100Mb connection to the LAN
• Supply and Install new Microsoft Member servers for the new Practice Manager application
• Provide a new tape based backup drive including media and disaster recovery software
• Create an image deployment procedure for the new workstations
• Provide a new Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to manage and safely shutdown all servers across the network in the event of power failures

Over a period of 3 weeks including out of hours weekend working with minimal disruption to the customer the following work was carried out… 

• LG Solicitors allocated a new server room and a new 42U server cabinet installed. 
• Micro Plus Networks installed CAT6 cabling to connect all servers to the main communications cabinet. 
• All LAN switches have been replaced with CISCO 3750 managed switches. The Cisco 3750 provides a high performance switching fabric which and a high speed stacking systems which reduces the risk of bottlenecks 
• New rack mount HP Servers have been installed to provide a reliable and high performance platform for the upgraded Practice Manager application. 
• HP LTO 3 tape drive has been installed and a new disaster recovery configuration has been configured and tested ensuring quick and reliable data recovery. Tape media is removed off site each day and reporting has been configured to notify administrators and Micro Plus networks in the event of failures. The disaster recovery procedure has been scheduled to occur every 12 months incorporating a full system restore 
• All PC systems and Microsoft Office applications have upgraded and replaced as required incorporating a new PC base image for all new workstations. 

As a result of this project LG Solicitors have a scalable and reliable high performance network infrastructure. All the hardware is supported by manufactures warranties over a 3 year period and all other IT issues are supported by Micro Plus Networks maintenance contract. All users have identical desktops and printer configurations have been deployed using group policy scripting. This allows users to logon at any PC and obtain access to the network and print to local printers. 

Micro Plus Computers now provide LG Solicitors with on-going support and network monitoring. 

For more information, call Peter Stokes on 01691 670960 ext 601