Router or network upgrade recommendation

[Mistgrim]

I work for a small company with around 19 or so users, recently due to dissatisfaction issues the company has decided to part ways with their original IT support, and due to my having qualifications as a repair tech i've been asked to take their place, which is awesome, gained some nice experience and confidence with a string of fixes, and its something i love to do (fun). Now a similar issue has come up with Network maintenance, (seriously don't know whats up with the IT/Networking technicians around here) only thing is that networking was something i wasn't really fond of so my knowledge is basic.

 

We have a linksys e1500 router (300 Mbps) and (2 Mbps) connection which has been fine until we start using drop box which seemed to start some weird symptoms but mostly just slowness. Also its two offices in the same building and users in the second sometimes have wireless connectivity issues. The company flatly refuses to upgrade to a larger package, but i still have to fix it.(less fun )

 

At first i thought to get a newer router and an access point, but after i thought maybe just a good router with a decent antenna and i could save them some money. Also thought i could go the super cheap route and do fixes that require no money at all like changing to a less congested channel or upgrading the firmware, still deciding.

 

 

Real sorry for the long post but i'd appreciate suggestions and ideas, and maybe someone could direct me to a good noob friendly networking knowledge base, thanks

[Redportal]

Is the wireless a needed feature? Just wondering. You could get a wired business router from netgear, comes with loads of security features and options. Great if you have some sensitive data flowing through them dropbox accounts

[Mistgrim]

I wouldn't say needed but all the PCs use wifi and not sure i could get them to go wired

[Redportal]

Valid point, sometimes changing your existing devices can cause more problems than it fixes, I would just go with a decent router but it depends on the distance. If its more than say 20m I would go with a router and AP. But its personal opinion, some would rather go with one device as its less that can go wrong, as some would prefer to go with awesome coverage but spend longer and more money with the setup of the network.

[JohnnyP]

How many users are using drop box and how much is transfered?

[Mistgrim]

all users and its only excel files and such, so a couple MB at most, but it even gives issues with only three people in the office

[JohnnyP]

Why dropbox? Why not a file server? I imagine Internet issue (not the wireless one) comes from the speed and constant use of dropbox as you may already know. I think the fix to that would be a new solution to dropbox.

[Redportal]

Why dropbox? Why not a file server? I imagine Internet issue (not the wireless one) comes from the speed and constant use of dropbox as you may already know. I think the fix to that would be a new solution to dropbox.

Many file /storage solutions can be really expensive for companys, my storage raid array with only 12TB cost me £3000.

[JohnnyP]

I understand. I did IT consulting for small businesses. But it's the cost of doing business. This solution clearly is affecting the productivity of the office as much as they may not want to admit it it cost money to fix problems.

[JohnnyP]

12TB is probably a bit much for the company. I would recommend an Sbs server with a raid 5 configuration. You can setup a domain and then have control over who can access what. You can also bring email hosting in house if you wish. I had a customer do something similar once but their phone system guy also told them the T1 would be faster then the cable connection... costly misinformation.

[Mistgrim]

Thanks guys for the ideas

 

Why dropbox? Why not a file server? I imagine Internet issue (not the wireless one) comes from the speed and constant use of dropbox as you may already know. I think the fix to that would be a new solution to dropbox.

Agree about the file server....though i don't know how long it would take me to convince them of that(they're really fiscally responsible to say it lightly)

 

 

After some thought decided to upgrade the router (think 300Mbps should still be fine for a 2 Mbps connect)to a newer one and the addition of an access point....i think they like the idea of dropbox cause they don't really have to think about it