Tayco.
Today, the core elements of that environment include:
“We have three Xserves right now — one used for DHCP, file sharing (SMB, AFP), VPN, LDAP, FTP, DNS and Software Update Services; the second is the Directory Master (Primary Domain Controller for Windows clients). It is also our secondary DNS Server. The third Xserve is our Open Directory Replica (Secondary Domain Controller for windows clients), as well as a third DNS Server, and file server (it hosts homefolders).”
“So basically Xserve1 is the ‘networking’ box, Xserve 2 and 3 are used for authentication purposes and file serving. Just in case, Xserve3 provides backup authentication service, so our clients can log-in and access their files even if open directory master is not available,” Przemek explains.
The AFP he mentioned, the Apple Filing Protocol, is a file services presentation layer protocol. It’s one of several file services supported including Server Message Block (SMB), Network File System (NFS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and WebDAV. It currently supports Unicode file names, POSIX and access control list permissions, UNIX quotas, resource forks, named extended attributes, and advanced file locking.
Tayco is now set up so that users can connect to the servers simply by browsing the network, or entering a URL. Users can share the contents of their folders simply by checking Personal File Sharing in the Sharing section of System Preferences.
And because OS X talks to most file server protocols on every major server platform in the market today — including AFP, SMB/CIFS, WebDAV and NFS file services running on Mac OS X Server, AppleShare, UNIX, Linux, Novell NetWare and Windows NT, 2000 and 2003 servers, Tayco is able to protect its past investments and utilize older system assets for specific functions, Przemek says.
“We do use two IBM’s iSeries servers for our ERP system, with one server dedicated to this task alone. Another is our mail/calendaring server — we use Domino software. We also use three more IBM’s xSeries servers for printing/network fax services, ERP related tasks, and one for our web-based reports.”
He notes that Xserves provide central LDAP based authentication for all of the above servers.
Xserves also underscore the ability to manage a network of different workstations — desktops and laptops-running Mac OS X, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, among others.
For the users, this is invisible. For the company, it is invaluable. For the IT guy, it’s easy to connect nodes in a basic star topology, with connections to a central switch, and then to the Xserve. Przemek has no real reason to interconnect the workstations to each other.
Additional workstations can be added, configured and removed easily, as addresses on the network are assigned automatically. Using the Xserve Workgroup Manager, users are not locked to a particular workstation-they can always get to their files, access their files and personalized desktop from anywhere on the network.
Additionally, wireless networking can be set up by running an AirPort base station in Ethernet bridging mode, so that the Xserve provides the DHCP information to the clients, rather than the base station’s built-in DHCP server.
This is exactly what Tayco now has in place. Their IT department is a two-man shop, with reliable and accessible support from Thompson’s company, Digital Transitions, just a phone call away.
As a result, from its initial, almost experimental, purchase of a used Xserve all the way to today’s multi-platform, multi-location environment, the story of Tayco’s IT infrastructure hinges on efficiency, economy and productivity. It’s IT infrastructure and capacity has grown tremendously, but IT department has not — reflecting the cost savings realized through reduced maintenance, configuration and network security costs.
That strong underpinning serves Tayco well for a bright future. The company launched a 12-month promotional campaign early this year, called Look no further. But Up.
Up is the direction to look for Tayco’s future, and for its IT infrastructure: both Tayco locations are completely Wi-Fi covered, using Apple AirPort Extreme base stations (many of which are mounted on the office ceiling).
AirPort Extreme is backwards-compatible, so again, existing investment and infrastructure can be leveraged successfully. It supports not only previous versions or AirPort, but other 802.11b-compliant products as well — be they Mac or Windows.
Przemek says the administrative software controls allow him to plan, set up, maintain and monitor the networks easily and conveniently. Access control lists can be updated quickly, with the RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) feature, and even stored on a remote server. This is all part of an upgrade path coming in Apple’s next generation server operating system, 10.5 (currently known as Leopard).
Sitting at his workstation, Przemek glances at his widescreen display, quickly noting and monitoring his network’s status on screen. The entire Tayco net is monitored with LANSurveyor, a powerful network management program from Neon Software. It’s running on a Mac mini!
With tools for network mapping, asset reporting, remote managing and monitoring as well as planning a backup strategy and capacity requirements, he’s able to head off any network issues long before users are affected.
LANsurveyor polls TCP/IP and AppleTalk network devices and computers, sending and receiving alerts as needed, while enabling Mac, Windows and Linux computers to be managed from a single app.
All-important back-ups are managed by the Xserves, together with BRU software and an Exabyte library. The Xserves back up every server, Przemek notes, with the exception of iSeries servers (which need their own dedicated backup).
In the midst of his company’s ambitious plans for the future, with all its current demands for complete access and functionality from any location, Przemek still says the keeping it simple is the way to go.
“Everything we do needs to be platform independent, and completely transparent to end users. We need to be in a position where we can run either Windows clients, Mac clients or Linux clients, all our services must be available to all these people.”
“All the hardware needs to be remotely configurable and we demand a 99.99% uptime for all core systems.”
The list may sound demanding and complex, but don’t forget — the IT guy and the company president are happy, smiling people. The reason itself is simple — a back end IT infrastructure that’s ideal for the requirements of the company.
Using Apple hardware and software, with the assistance of an Authorized Consultant, a local area network with dozens of nodes is in place, with access to file and print services for user on the network, all connected to the Internet with solid firewall security.
Incoming and outgoing email services, including spam filtering and mailing-list management are easily managed and configured. A secure VPN is in place with connections to another remote LAN, and automated data backups are scheduled.
Tayco’s success is no longer a secret in the industry: recently, the company was honoured with an industry-leading Silver NeoCon Best of Show award for its newly-launched designer post-and-beam system, Up.
And the successes in the IT department didn’t even have to be considered.
