Hi braindoc,
Briefly, You already have Internet access, so I am assuming you have a router. The router could be your switch, but you will probably need more connections so a decent switch would be nice. I am thinking you are networked, e.g. you hardwired to your router/switch/firewall. Is this Cat6? If you are starting new, then all NIC cards should be GB and all your Ethernet cables at least Cat5e or higher.
There are at least 20 threads on here on just this topic from servers to networking to wired to wireless and P2P and client/server. You may want to do a search on some key words like
Computers, network, Peer to peer, server, etc. to get a jumping off point.
It doesn't sound like you will need anything fancy given you only have three computers. But, then what are you going to use for your rooms. Personally, I like hard wired desktop computers, but just as many on here like laptops. Of course, then you have to go wired. It depends which way you are leaning and your office design and whether you want to run cables. Tip: If you do have someone run cables, for every run, pull two.
Now this is just my opinion, but I feel rather strongly about it. Most on here would think I live and die by the server model, and that is what I basically recommend. BUT, if you are going to go P2P, then I would strongly recommend against using your personal computer as the "main computer." I would say they are mutually exclusive. If it is the main computer, then it's not your computer and vice versa. I know it's just semantics. So, you get 4GB of RAM. That's plenty. And, you use WIN7 and install Word and Dragon and use that as well. There goes 2GBs of RAM. SQL Server takes 1GB by default. Now you are down to 1GB. Actually less, because a 32-bit system can utilize all of the 4GB, probably only around 3.2. Of course, you and WIN7 probably won't take half, but why not have one dedicated computer that's not fancy...no speakers, video card (not an actual card), etc. and put the 4GBs on that. Get a good processor and you're all set.
Anyway, it is easier to answer questions than to just list a bunch of things. Unless, you want me to spend a whole lot of your money
Welcome to AC. And, if you could give your first name or put it in your autosig, that would be great.
