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[cobalt-users] Some Basic Questions from a Possible New User



Hello,

I'm considering purchasing a Qube2 for my small office and have some basic questions I hope someone can help me with.

Currently, the office is just a peer-to-peer windows network with 3 users.  The network shares a cable modem connection via a UMAX Ugate Plus router, which has worked exceptionally well.

My hope was to keep the Ugate and use the Qube as a file sharing device and for inter-office email and certain intranet services.

I'm not at all sophisticated on networking and have these questions:

1. Can I keep my Ugate and just plug the Qube into the network as if it were another user?  I wouldn't use the Qube to share the internet connection at all.  Does this, for example, present a problem if I need to download patches or anything else?  Will the intra-office email, discussion groups, etc. be impacted?


2. I'm a little confused about how the file sharing works.  I want to use Goldmine or some similar program for instance.  Can the Goldmine Db file (for example) be loaded to the Qube and shared on the network when Goldmine operates with the various users?  A shared database.

The Qube manual talks about moving files back and forth from the Qube to the workstation, but it doesn't really say you can run applications from the workstation that uses  files on the network  - like say a Snap Server or traditional file server would do. (I realize this may be a stupid question).

I understand that most of the benefits of the Qube are as a internet/intranet Web server, so I'm not sure if it's file server features are adequate (although besides the goldmine database and some limited documents and images, there won't be that much stored in my case on the server).

3.  Since the Network is so small, I was considering just the 16mb version versus the 32 mb version, but not sure if this makes a big difference - I was told not.  

4. Is there an easy back-up solution - I don't really want to invest in hardware - I'd be willing to schedule transfers of key files to a workstation - but I'm not sure how easy that process is?

5. I was wondering where the best place to buy the Qube2 would be.  Ideally, I'd like to be able to return it if it doesn't work in my particular setup.

6. I assume the product's "low administration"  tout is really a reality. I'd like the system to work like my UGATE - it works so well you basically forget it's there.

7. Is there anything else I need to consider based upon the above description?

Thank you for taking the time in considering my questions.  I know they are basic questions, but your input will really help my decision process.  Thanks.

Gary
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<DIV>Hello,</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I'm considering purchasing a Qube2 for&nbsp;my small office and have some 
basic questions I hope&nbsp;someone can help me with.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Currently, the office is just a peer-to-peer windows network with 3 
users.&nbsp; The network shares a cable modem connection via a UMAX Ugate Plus 
router, which has worked exceptionally well.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>My hope was to keep the Ugate and use the Qube as a file sharing device and 
for inter-office email and&nbsp;certain intranet services.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I'm not at all sophisticated on networking and have these questions:</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>1. Can I keep my Ugate and just plug the Qube into the network as if it 
were another user?&nbsp; I wouldn't use&nbsp;the Qube to share the internet 
connection at all.&nbsp; Does this, for example, present a problem if I need to 
download patches or anything else?&nbsp; Will the intra-office email, discussion 
groups, etc. be impacted?</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>2. I'm a little confused about how the file sharing works.&nbsp; I want to 
use Goldmine or some similar program for instance.&nbsp; Can the&nbsp;Goldmine 
Db file (for example) be loaded to the Qube and shared on the network when 
Goldmine operates with the various users?&nbsp; A shared database.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>The Qube manual talks about <U>moving </U>files back and forth from 
the&nbsp;Qube to the workstation, but it doesn't really say you can run 
applications from the workstation that uses&nbsp; files on the network&nbsp; - 
like say a Snap Server or traditional file server would do. (I realize this may 
be a stupid question).</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>I&nbsp;understand that most of the benefits of the Qube are as a 
internet/intranet Web server, so I'm not sure if it's file server features are 
adequate (although besides the goldmine database and some limited documents and 
images, there won't be that much stored in my case on the server).</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>3.&nbsp; Since the Network&nbsp;is so small, I was considering just the 
16mb version versus the 32 mb version, but not sure&nbsp;if this makes a big 
difference -&nbsp;I was told not.&nbsp; </DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>4. Is there an easy back-up solution - I don't really want to invest in 
hardware - I'd be willing to schedule transfers of key files to a workstation - 
but I'm not sure how easy that process is?</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>5. I was wondering where the best place to buy the Qube2 would be.&nbsp; 
Ideally, I'd like to be able to return it if it doesn't work in my particular 
setup.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>6. I assume the product's "low administration"&nbsp; tout is really a 
reality. I'd like the system to work like my UGATE - it works so well you 
basically forget it's there.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>7. Is there anything else I need to consider based upon the above 
description?</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Thank you for taking the time in considering my questions.&nbsp; I know 
they are basic questions, but your input will really help my decision 
process.&nbsp; Thanks.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Gary</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV></BODY></HTML>