Hi All, new to AUGI
Here to share my knowledge and experiences with 7 years in the architectural industry.
I am after advise on Revit networking solutions for a 20+ firm with the ability to be able to work share remotely either nationally or internationally.
This may be a big read for some :/




I work in a small firm of 10, that is aiming to expand to 20 over the next few years.
Our current NAS system does the job, but I feel it is not the best solution for moving forward.


We are currently on a Synology DS1513 or DS1515 with WD Red Drives (5 Drives, RAID5 5 & 5400rpm).
This NAS system holds all of our live projects (30+) all of our closed-off jobs, our entire library and resources.
We have a physical backup monthly (needs to be weekly) and google drive syncs overnight.


I would like to keep this NAS system as a backup and for our resources once the new build is complete.
My idea of a build would be a Synology as I am used to the system and adding a new drive into the array.
I am open to other suggestions, I am capable of building high-end workstations, $8k render/gaming rigs.
There is no set budget at this time, I am trying to persuade the Directors to spend more money on IT instead of the office build, as IT is the backbone of the business.


Currently our subscription to REVIT is,
2x Full Design Suite 2018
6x Revit, 2018
2x REVIT LT 2018 for our Directors who only need basic use of revit non worksared.
We would be obtaining future REVIT licenses for work sharing ability


Current LAN consists of;
24 port Gigabit switch, I have a 48 switch at home I will give the office.
A 24 port patch
Terrible ADSL with a dodgy belong router
Wired Cat6 cables individually to each workstation


REVIT workshare file setup
Workshared master file
Linked levels and grids
Linked Interiors Model
Linked Site model
Linked neighbouring properties
Links revit links with consultants CAD files
Linked structural models


Future office;
EXISTING 48 poirt switch if it works.. Netgear GS748TP
NEW patch device
NEW Modem for the microwave internet (whatever the installer provides)
NEW At least 2 modems hardwired for wireless connection to the 250m2 office
NEW Cat6 wired to each computer
NEW NAS / Server
Would be interested in some form of a physical firewall


Needs
High speed stable access
Minimal downtime if the RAID or NAS fails
Wireless access for Navisworks on site
Ability to REVIT workshare from home, site, internationally
We would also like to work with other firms either nationally or international via work sharing or linking models
Typically 2 - 3 people working on 1 work shared file at a time.


My Suggested build
Synology DiskSation DS3018xs 6 bay
6x SSD in RAID 1 (1 or 2tb drives) open to thoughts on Hitachi 10k drives
SSD cache if required
10Gbe network if required.


The system is only required to hold our live projects, I foresee this as 2 - 4tb being highly capable


Sorry for the long read, open to suggestions, experiences, problems.
Thank you all, happy Reviting!