Newbie - Help needed

[ylim]

Hi:

I am new to SugarCRM and would need some help in implementing this system in my office. We have about 6 sales ppl, both Mac OSX and Windows Users.

Questions:

1. What is the minimum system to use as a server?
2. Is it better, or easier, to use Windows Server 2003 or Mac XServe?
3. Can I just use a NAS (Network Attached Storage Device)?
4. I am getting the impression that the data are stored in the server while the interface and data management engines are in the client. In this case, a NAS is actually sufficient. Am I right?

Thanks!

[kbrill]

Hi:

I am new to SugarCRM and would need some help in implementing this system in my office. We have about 6 sales ppl, both Mac OSX and Windows Users.

Questions:

1. What is the minimum system to use as a server?
2. Is it better, or easier, to use Windows Server 2003 or Mac XServe?
3. Can I just use a NAS (Network Attached Storage Device)?
4. I am getting the impression that the data are stored in the server while the interface and data management engines are in the client. In this case, a NAS is actually sufficient. Am I right?

Thanks!

1. Any current P4/Celeron/Athlon/Semperon that can run Apache or IIS, PHP and MySQL. I wouldn't use less than 512M RAM and a 200G Hard Drive.

2. I am going to say Windows Server 2003 although the real answer is almost any flavor of Linux

3. No. Unless that NAS can run Apache, PHP and MySQL

4. There is no client as such. The program is written in PHP which means that the server has to be PHP compatible.

[chrisky]

Though Ken's advice pretty much covers it superbly; however, I'd like to add to it by giving you some additional info and hopefully the direction in which you were seeking.

I would advise against using Windows [Server 2003].
First, unless you already Windows Svr, it's an unnessecary expense;
Second, the GUI's are utter resource leeches, and as a result severly decrease response times and performance for [remote/client crm] users.

Linux is your best bet, not to mention compatibility wise of which I'm not gonna bother to get into..

As for server hardware specs, well pretty much any new 'cheap' computer would suffice.
Any NEW system, no matter what the mfr or specs (such as processor, hd, etc.), will meet your needs with the following minor exception(s).

You will want to BUY some additional memory, I reccommend at minimum you buy a 1gb stick of memory, but personally suggest you get two 1gb sticks and throw them in your new 'server to be' system.

Almost any HD size that comes with any NEW machine will be more than ample space for just a SugarCRM server, and maybe a few other purposes such as webserver, mail server, file server, etc.

When shopping, I'd encourage you to get a case with in which has a minimum of three full size (5.25") external drive bays. For your needs/uses and many others, I'd reccomend a combination of the following: a DVD burner, and two removable HD caddy's in which you also purchase two extra caddys, thus giving you a total of 4 hd caddies.

The reasons for the HD caddies is
a) to make it very easy to add additional hd/storage space if neccessary, and
b) my personal purpose is for both redundancy and backup purposes.

The [if any] backup schedule & routine you choose to follow in your organization is up to you; however, every so often you SHOULD mirror/duplicate you servers HD to a spare HD.

It is MUCH easier to just flip the power switch, pull the caddy containing the servers system HD and replace it with the backup system HD, and be up & running while you work on resolving the issues or problems that needed addressing.

As for installation of Linux, Sugar, PHP, etc.
Be happy as you've lucked out..
The installation of all of it (php, mysql, linux, SugarCRM, etc) is [debatably] easier than installing Windows.

The trixbox distribution is my personal reccomendation.

A simple command line install of WebMin, and you're done with your server.

So, summed up...
Avoid OS GUI's like that plague! No Windows or X.
Tons of memory! 2gb preferred and 1gb MINIMUM..
Any NEW computer from reputable source or mfr.
Install/Use the Trixbox distribution