Need Networking Help in the United Arab Emirates

Question

Hi, I am extremely frustrated and looking for some help finding somebody in the United Arab Emirates who can help with implementing a networking project.
I have set up a small business in the United Arab Emirates, actually a division within an existing business. The existing business was not too savvy about IT; they have a few PCs of varying age and specs, and each one running a different version of Windows. There is no LAN, that is to say each PC is an island unto itself.
I came aboard in September '05 and as a loyal Mac user, I procured a number of Macs for my division. We now have 5 iMacs and are running a wireless network via Airport. Files are stored on one of the iMacs using shared folders. However, we are not connected at all to the PCs (which are in an office on a different floor) and this makes it difficult to collaborate on documents with the PC users. My next project is to set up a LAN so that all the document files will be stored centrally on the server and we will also add tape backup, enhance security, impose better anti-virus protection for all especially the PC users, etc.
What I want to do is buy an Xserve and use that as the server for my LAN.
However, in addition to the fact that Apple products are extremely expensive here in the U.A.E., I am finding it impossible -- even after months of trying -- to locate a vendor who has enough knowledge and/or willingness to design, install and maintain a network centered on the Xserve. I am particularly frustrated with the Apple reseller here, who is more than willing to sell me the hardware, but whose networking department seems to have less familiarity with OS X than I do (and I'm just a lawyer, not an IT guy).
I could relate all kinds of stories, but the bottom line is that the Apple reseller keeps bringing me networking guys who act as if they have never heard of OS X and who suggest solutions for various functionalities and then tell me that the solution is not available for the Mac platform (although 5 minutes of Google research by me is usually enough to discover they are wrong).
As a result, I think I am going to have no choice but to buy an HP box and run Windows XP server if I am ever going to get this networking project off the ground.
I am wondering if there is anybody on the forum who can point me in the direction of somebody in Dubai or Abu Dhabi who can help. Although I would prefer to buy Apple, I cannot justify spending thousands of dollars on server equipment if I know now that I will have nobody to support my network. Even if I could learn to be a network administrator, I simply do not have the time to do it.
Thanks,
DXB Law

Answer 1

Hi DXB Law,
I think you may have more luck in finding a person who can help in your locality if you post in the OSX Server Mailing list at http://lists.apple.com/mailman/listinfo/macos-x-server
Or you should post in macintosh Managers mailing list over at http://mac-mgrs.org/
I don't think you want to hear this but... you seem pretty competent on the desktop side. It is not a big jump to install & configure a server, particularly if you do it the Apple way, ie. follow their manuals exactly. Once configured there should be little to do on the day-to-day side unless you have a particularly dynamic environment in terms of staff changes, network changes, etc.
If you want an idea of what is involved with initial configuration take a look at the Getting Started guide at http://www.apple.com/server/documentation/ Appendix B has a step-by-step setup scenario, pretty similar to what you want to do.
If you are not able to find a consultant who can help, I suggest you try it yourself as follows:
- give yourself a flexible timeframe for the project
- take it slow & phase in different services each week (eg. week 1, file services, week 2 mail, etc) to give time for problmes to shake out
- post here when do you have specific issues/problems
- do not set your users (or your) expectations too high (at least initially)
If you decide to go with a PC server you could be opening up a whole other can of nastiness for yourself
Good luck,
b.