Network Segregation?

Question

I have 150 systems in my network. I am going to use 50 systems for some other purpose at one shift. In the remaining two shifts I am going to use all 150 systems. The network will be the same. When I am using 50 systems alone I will disconnect the link between that particular switches with other switches. When I am going to use all 150 systems I will reconnect the switches. So that I can use all 150 systems.

This is the scenerio. Now I have to do this manually (unplug and replug the interlink between the switches) at every time.

Now I would like to know is there is any possibility to do this automatically in any manner without doing it manually at each and every time.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Have you considered splitting the power lines between the two seperate groups of computers? Place 50 on one, and the 100 on the other. Then, when you wish to only use the 50, simply switch them on, leaving the others off. When you wish to use all of them, simply switch both groups on.

This might take a bit of configuration of your power lines, linking them to the switching boxes, but it seems the simplist method of achieving your goal.

You could also use Group Policy to control which computers can be logged onto at certain times. This is actually the best method, but it does take some configuation and learning of how to create GPO, and applying them to the proper systems. Once you have it setup though it is good to go. Consider having a professional IT individual come in and design your Group Policy for you. It wouldn't hurt for you to learn it yourself, and by hiring somebody to get it off the ground right away, you can ask questions and get answers.

Microsoft has some great Group Policy learning tools at the technet website. Go there and look up the Group Policy on-demand webcasts. They are free and as of my last look at them, there are thirteen videos. Ten are in a group, and three another group. I reccomend you view the group of three first as an overview, and then dive into the ten. A lot of great information is available, and you can purchase books on this subject that will allow you to learn at your own pace and in your own time.

With Group Policy you can do far more than control log ons and offs. You can stop software usages, install software for certain users as needed, apply updates, and lock down systems in many different areas. You can create groups which have certain privileges, and others with less or more as needed. You can keep employees out of things they have no reason to be in, and control about every aspect of the use of your systems.

Here is a link:

http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/grouppolicy.aspx

Good luck and much success in your achieving your desired configuration.

Answer 2

Sounds like you have a large flat network. i would look at creating vlans and trunking them at a router. This will reduce your collision domain and enhance your routing capability. Of course this also depends on your equipment. If you have cisco gear then you can create vlans on the switches remotely, but you will have to change your subnets to match. It's doable but i would suggest bringing in a consultant to create the plan (If you are in the states I would be happy to suggest someone local). TX

Answer 3

the term for this is subnetting.

You need to put your 1 group on 1 subnet, and the 2nd group on another subnet, then you can use an open source routing solution such as IpCOP or DD-WRT to control which subnets have network access and at what times.