Small Data Center Setup

[GhaffarHunzai]

Dear All,

I am planning to setup a windows domain network most probably in windows server 2016 with about 30 user in main office and about 30 users in 3 different cities. Please suggest me network equipment such as switches, routers, firewall etc. for setting up the network first.

For internet, there is only single ISP available in our area and their service is not remarkable and further I am planning to get internet via satellite for audio and video conferencing only. I want to restrict users, since there is only 2 Mbps bandwidth, from accessing social websites and downloading material on peak times. VPN is not my priority and some connections I might need in future.

I have previously used CISCO ASA 5505 Firewall which is somehow not able to restrict secure websites such as Facebook or YouTube. Your suggestion and recommendations would be highly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ghaffar

[Paul Smith]

I would suggest some Cisco Catalyst switches at each site. Maybe some re-furbished 2960G's? I would like to see some Cisco 2900 integrated services routers at each site and use them to setup some ikev2 ipsec VPN tunnels between each site.

For restricting services, you might want to get a UTM. You can try the Cisco Meraki, Fortinet Fortigate or Cyberoam 50RG.

[GhaffarHunzai]

Dear Paul,

Thank you very much for your reply. The office at the cities have internet connection via the ISP and may be in future I connect with our main office but its probability is very low.

Does your mentioned UTMs will function as firewall for controlling and restricting bandwidth for secure sites aswell i.e. youtube and facebook? also do they distribute internet bandwidth evenly to every user on my domain? Which model of fortinet fortigate would be better in my scenario?

Best regards,

Ghaffar