Hey guys got a few questions for ya:

1.I am running a dedicated server w/Apache 2.0.44 and an FTP server so my friends can all work on their sites (using vhosts to host multiple sites) So here's my question. Assuming I am hosting 20 sites that each get a hit every minute, would 30k's per second of upload bandwidth be enough? (I am on an ADSL line with 612/256. IS there a chart or something any of you know of that shows the amount of bandwidth required to comfortably host x amount of sites?

2.On the FTP server end of things, how can people use their ftp clients to ce=onnect w/out actually having to use my IP... Can they just type ftp://bryan.shacnet.na? How can they use my domain (graciously provided by dyndns) to connect, as I have a dynamic IP and would like not to have to keep everyone updated w/ my current IP every time it changes...

3.In a few weeks I will be helping a friend rebuild and upgrade his LAN at work. It is a 10-15 node LAN, (Ethernet) and we are hoping to upgrade to Fast Ethernet. We also want to install a remote fileserver for keeping nightly backups in a separate location for data safety, and we want to install a local fileserver. He wants to have all the nodes connect to the net through a proxy (for security and cache reasons). He is on a 1/4 T1 line. I am not very experienced with building networks but I am a fast learner and I have two weeks to come up with a game plan. What do you think I should consider while planning this project? (O.S., hardware, protocol, structure recommendations, P2P vs. Client/Server, etc...)
Main issues are ease of administration, security, reliability, and secure data backup. Cost is an issue as well. We are trying to do this as economicly as possible so newegg.com will definitely be in the picture. What other online vendors would you all recommend? Also what other sites have proven indispensible in your networking ventures? Thanks.

Also, I have a lot of disk space if anyone wants to have a site on my server. Just let me know what type of site you have and what you need.

Apparently your link don't work the way it's setup. Also surprised this thread hasn't been moved.

That would be because I typed the URL wrong http://bryan.shacknet.nu woops

That'll Do

Easy: W2K PDC with W2K clients. Exchange(maybe a little over the top for 15 users) for email(IMAP). MS proxy and your away. Easy to set up and admin. Keep it all behind a decent firewall and you should be pretty secure as well. But costly.

Hard(if you dont know how to do it): Linux all round. Whatever for email(IMAP again). Squid for proxy. A bitch to configure and a bitch to admin if youve never used any of the software before. But all software would be free.

The actuall networking is easy. Just use static IP's. Dont buy the cheapest switch you can find.

It all depends on how much you have to spend and what the clients need to be able to do.