Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Help me With Server

Okay I am a solo practice. Currently the way I have everything set up is that I have a desktop computer at the front desk that my one staff member uses. The amazing charts data base is on there.

I have two laptops which i use in the rooms and use the database from the desktop. When I am at home trying to do work, I am using logmein.com to get on the desktop.

I would like to be able to not have to use logmein.com. and i think a server would be a better way to go overall. How do I get this done? Suggestions on what kind of server to look into buying? And steps on how to set it up? I would like to try this without hiring a tech guy. I am kind of computer savy and so is my brother so We could probably figure it out.

all my computers right now are windows 7 64 bit.

thanks

Well, here goes, since I have absolutely no idea if this is going to the right place.

A server would be nice, because then you could get the databases of a workstation that is being used. I am certainly not a fan of that.

As far as which one, you can't go wrong with a Dell T410 or above. As to what to put on it, that's a pretty loaded question as there are multiple options with how many drives, RAID or no RAID, which OS (SBS 2008 would be much strong choice). The best way to do it would be to just configure it online and get help from here or Dell.

As to the logging in from home, first I need you to answer one question. Why are you against LogMeIn. That is a turnkey solution that makes total sense and is free. Secondly, if you have a static IP address, which you should if you end up using a server and domain, you can use Remote Desktop, which can also be done with a dynamic IP only it isn't as easy.

If you did go with SBS, then you would have Remote Web Workplace, which is the absolute best way to log in remotely, probably even better than a straight VPN solution.

Bert:

The reason i don't like LOGmein.com is that when i log in the screen is smaller. i don't know if it is because of the resolution i set the monitor at the desktop for or what? but on my laptop it is harder to see. Maybe it is because i am logging in from a lapt op and i use the higher resolution?

As far as the server, i don't get the thing you are asying about hte server uses the databases from the workstations.

I thought the way amazing charts is set up, you have to use one database that all the workstations feedd off of. That would be the point of the server correct? that i set up the server as the "main" computer? or the database file is on the server? and all the computers can work off of that? The other part of that is that is the reason that synching process is so painful right?

Log Mein has settings at the top which let you change screen resolution on laptop - if you play with this you can fix your issue (took me a long time to see this as someone on the board mentioned it). Give it a try

Steven:

Thank you. I just changed the resolution! It worked great. Now, if i have a server, would i still use logmein.com? or something else to get to the computer? Now, if there is a server, could i be logged onto the database from two places? so if my staff member is in the office using the desktop which will be using the database file from the server.

right now i use logmein free...so i can't transfer files. . .if i use one of the others, can i then access the database file while using the amazing charts on my laptop from home?

I use logmein free - you can remotely log into any computer but that computer itself cannot be used by someone else - eg.

You can log into server or other desktop and use/run Amazing Charts on that computer, the other desktop in the office can be used and accessing the files on the server (as it only accesses the file).

Basically you use your laptop or home computer to log into a computer in your office - you really are just using your computer as a picture of what the office computer is doing. If you have 5 computers in your office then you can log into any one - 5 computers (counting server) - 5 people could log in, but no one could use computers in office.

The Pro version simply allows you to print wherever you are logging in from. You can copy files, but I don't use it - if I need something printed I fax it from my office computer or e-mail it to myself.

LOL, I can only go by what you tell me. Yes, the server would house the database and all the workstations would connect to it. That's the beauty of it. No one works on a server.

I was just saying, yes, get a server, so you don't have your receptionist typing away on the same computer that your database is on.

Bert:

I understood what you were saying but that poses another question now for me:

Would I from home, log into the server using logmein.com and basically be working on the server? From home I wouldn't just be accessing the database file? Or would I? I know from the office I would be just using the server as where the database file is and probably all my practices info would be stored on the server.

Thanks

You can logmein into the computer that the main program resides on (the "server:) with no problem. Or you can just logmein into your individual workstation that you usually use. As long as the server is always on, your remote workstation will act just like your normal computer, and will communicate with the server thru that workstation transparently.

I have logmein on all machines including the server, and that way I can administrate the "server" from home if I need to to do maintenance, backups, etc as needed. I do not use it for routine things like word processing or internet surfing to reduce the chance of virus acquisition. The "server" is backed up nightly on an automatic schedule programed from within AC only on the server. I have been using AC for over 6 years now, and it has performed excellently. I also added UPDOX in March '10, which I am also pleased with. It allows faxes and reports that come in, to be imported directly to the AC patient file and be reviewed and otherwise handled, without having to touch paper. It can also send faxes, consults, Rx's, letters, and patient labs and reports to patients, doctors, and anyone else for that matter by e-mail, e-fax, or secure e-mail thru a password protected portal. It is an add-on from a 3rd party company that is $35/ month, but worth it.

Ditto to everything Neil says above; I could have written the same explanation about our set-up (except the six years part).

I really appreciate this conversation as we are discussing the pros/cons of a server since we are upgrading everything now.

I'm not server savvy, but it seems to me that a server is just another computer that houses everything and all workstations would connect to...much like my computer functions now with the peer to peer networking.

If that is the case, what is the advantage of a "server" vs a desktop computer that only has the files and no one works on?

Many thanks,

Barbara

Servers are essentially beefed up computers that have specialized server operating system.

"Beefed up" usually includes a better power supply and often a motherboard that is more suited to calculations and often will hold more memory.

Server software has the ability to create a domain. This will allow all of the computers to connect to each other. Peer to Peer is limited to a maximum of 10 computers, I believe, domains have no such restrictions.

With a domain the server can make sure that all computers have the same set of administrative restrictions and controls. It can also push through updates automatically.

Servers usually have the role of "serving" information or serving as a central repository. While a regular computer can do this, Microsoft server software has a beefed up version of SQL server that will allow you both more control and handle more simultaneous requests for information.

Servers often control your internet access and can enforce both global restrictions as well as host web pages for the external world.

They can house an internal website to make access of information easier.

They can house an external or internal webmail system that gives you lots of options on both how you control your flow of email and how it is scanned for viruses.

They can house virtual machines which act as separate computers and isolate the main system from things run by the virtual machine.

Servers can also back up the other machines, but selectively and globally.

They can do more, but these are the things that come to mind.

While many of these things can be done on individual computer and a variety of software, some are exclusive to servers and specifically microsoft servers, (there is a lot of free linux servers that can do domains, email and back up stuff) all of these things are together in a single package (there are a lot of different MS packages as well) and integrate with windows software well.

Bert needs to chime in now, as he knows far more than I when it comes to servers. I currently run peer to peer but servers are a good idea.

Which brings me to a question as well. Can AC be run on other SQL software other than Microsoft's?

Or, more to the point, how difficult would it be to port to, say a Linux SQL server?

Wendell,

Thank you. We've been looking at them since I asked the question, and may for the time being just have a separate desktop to house everything - that it until I can get it all sorted out.

Have a wonderful weekend...perfect fall weather here in the PNW!

Barbara

@Ketan, Get a server with SBS on it, and you will have Remote Web Workplace, and you will not have to worry about LogMeIn or RDP, etc.

@Barbara, Wendell gave you a pretty good run down. I'll add a few more. First, if you are setting up now, then get a serve and a server OS. You can only do about 250 more things with a server. Besides the fact that pound for pound, it will always be faster, more reliable and more secure than any desktop.

Part of what is nice about a server with Microsoft is what is termed Active Directory. Active Directory ties together all of the users and computers along with Group Policy to allow a myriad of advantages.

One of the keys of a server is that your employees don't log into THEIR individual computer, they log into the server. Once they enter their username and password, the server authenticates them and says, "Yes, this is Barbara, and she can access the server and AC and whatever else. Of course, the admin told me not to let her see those accounting files."

Permissions and sharing are much more powerful on a server and its OS than with a workstation. And, it's much easier to add and delete users, add and delete their passwords, etc. You never run the risk of someone losing their password as you can set it. Also, when you set up users, you can give them certain group privilegs such as admin, power user, or just domain user. These automatically come with certain permissions. Servers can allow things such as mail servers, typically Exchange Server if Microsoft. You host your own mail and can also send intraoffice email that is therefore HIPAA compliant.

One of the most beneficial things of a server is what is called Group Policy. There are hundreds of group policies. For instance, you can lock down the desktop wallpaper or sizing so they don't add their kids to their desktop. You can set the type before the screensaver. You can set whether or not it locks on the screensaver. You can delete Control Panel or the Start Button or whatever. You can also do Group Policy for groups. For instance, you could put all of the front staff in a group and all of the MAs and clinicians in a group and give them certain permissions.

I could go on and on. With peer-to-peer, the desktop that holds that database is no different than the others. With a server, it controls the network via the domain. The domain is a POWERFUL concept that can't be duplicated on a workstation. The networking of computers is based on unique protocols of each computer consisting of IP addresses, subnets, default gateways and DNS. These can be set statically as on a peer-to-peer, but the server manages all the computers via DHCP. So, in general, nothing goes wrong. Now a router can use DHCP, it just isn't as good

I would highly recommend getting a server if you can control it. Not to mention the increased capacity to run RAID, etc.

Bert: is setting up a domain a do it yourself type of thing? Is there a recommended book or site to get the basics? I have a genuine server 2008 but am set up peer to peer. It seems to work okay but i am always looking for a 'better' way if is worth my time or money to change.

This is an excellent tutorial:

It is helpful ahead of time to get a a grasp and have listed the following: domain name, NetBIOS name, FQDN because it will be asked during the setup.

Our actual domain address is riverviewpediatrics.org, but our domain name for our network could be anything. It's best to keep it short or you will have a weird NetBIOS name which Windows continues to make necessary. So, it will ask for your:

domain: (you could make it something short of what would be your actual domain address if you have one or if you are going to have one. So if the name of your office is Best Family Practices and you were going to have a www.bestfamilypractices.com, you may choose familypractices as your domain name. So:

domain: familypractices, so your inside domain name would be familypractices.local

NetBIOS: Windows chooses the first 15 characters of your domain

Each client after joining the domain would have a Fully Qualified Domain Name:

FQDN: reception.familypractices.local

http://greigmitchell.wordpress.com/...dows-domain-with-windows-server-2008-r2/

Attaching a client computer to the domain:

http://www.petri.co.il/joining_a_domain_in_windows_xp_pro.htm

I am not as familiar as setting up a domain manually as the Small Business Servers do everything based on wizards. The domain controller is already promoted and active directory is already established, and it is as simply as going to each client and typing: http://connect in a browser and the rest is done for your.

Windows Server 2008 uses a wizard-like setup once you type dcpromo in the Run command.

Of course, a Microsoft SMB specialist could set it up for you in under two hours.

If you have Windows 7 Professional on you home computer, you can connect to your server using "Remote Desktop Connection" that comes included.