rchobbs
asked on
Small Business Server Setup
Hello,
I would like some advice on how to best configure a small workgroup (15-25 users) using the best integration methods with what is on hand. Here is the situation: the company already has 3 servers, a PE 2600 (5 yrs old) that runs SBS2003, another Terminal Server box that runs TS and Backup (Windows Server 2003), and lastly a new PE 2900 with no OS. I would like a recommendation for moving forward. The PE 2900 is the newest and I would like it to be the backbone. Here are my questions:
How should my DC, DNS and DHCP be separated and which machines should run what OS?
What is the best configuration for IIS and Exchange (same machine or separate)?
Which box should run SQL and my mail filtering programs?
Ideally I would like your best recommendation and how you would setup this small network for redundancy and performance.
Thank you in advance!
Brandon
I would like some advice on how to best configure a small workgroup (15-25 users) using the best integration methods with what is on hand. Here is the situation: the company already has 3 servers, a PE 2600 (5 yrs old) that runs SBS2003, another Terminal Server box that runs TS and Backup (Windows Server 2003), and lastly a new PE 2900 with no OS. I would like a recommendation for moving forward. The PE 2900 is the newest and I would like it to be the backbone. Here are my questions:
How should my DC, DNS and DHCP be separated and which machines should run what OS?
What is the best configuration for IIS and Exchange (same machine or separate)?
Which box should run SQL and my mail filtering programs?
Ideally I would like your best recommendation and how you would setup this small network for redundancy and performance.
Thank you in advance!
Brandon
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ASKER
Thank you all for your responses. I like the idea of migrating all data to my new server, but there are a few questions/issues I have.
As of right now I have a primary server with 4 IDE hot swap drives running SBS2003. My new box, a PE2900 has 4 500GB SATA hot swap drives... How would you suggest the migration? I planned on cloning the hard drives from the old server and using acronis universal restore to boot from the cloned disk on the new server. any ideas since the hard drives are incompatible ?
also, i have the option of using windows server 2003 ent on the new server (already installed-will be wiped) or buying sbs 2008 and installing that. Any recommendations on os?
lastly, you can't have a dhcp server on two machines correct? unless one is a backup?...
thank you!
new server details: Dell Power Edge 2900 Xeon Quad core Processor 3.0 ghz 1333mhz with 4 gb ram, and 4 500gb hard drives
As of right now I have a primary server with 4 IDE hot swap drives running SBS2003. My new box, a PE2900 has 4 500GB SATA hot swap drives... How would you suggest the migration? I planned on cloning the hard drives from the old server and using acronis universal restore to boot from the cloned disk on the new server. any ideas since the hard drives are incompatible ?
also, i have the option of using windows server 2003 ent on the new server (already installed-will be wiped) or buying sbs 2008 and installing that. Any recommendations on os?
lastly, you can't have a dhcp server on two machines correct? unless one is a backup?...
thank you!
new server details: Dell Power Edge 2900 Xeon Quad core Processor 3.0 ghz 1333mhz with 4 gb ram, and 4 500gb hard drives
I would built the new server from scratch, I wouldn't go with cloning or any other imaging technologies.
You can have 2 dhcp servers on the network.not a problem I can't find the link its 70/30 are something like that.
You can have 2 dhcp servers on the network.not a problem I can't find the link its 70/30 are something like that.
ASKER
What OS would you run?
I would still go with SBS2003, SBS 2008 is new so wait for couple of months for service pack 1 then you can deploy it in the production.
If you testing SBS and E2k7 in the test environment and you are comfortable then go for sbs2008 otherwise sbs2003.
If you testing SBS and E2k7 in the test environment and you are comfortable then go for sbs2008 otherwise sbs2003.
ASKER
Is the migration from SBS2003 (old server) going to be at all possible... This could get scary!
Why not?
You deply a another SBS2003 on the network AD would replicated installe AD integrated DNS.
With exchange just move the mailboxxes.Only thing is you need to do this with in 7 days.
You deply a another SBS2003 on the network AD would replicated installe AD integrated DNS.
With exchange just move the mailboxxes.Only thing is you need to do this with in 7 days.
ASKER
Would you suggest installing SBS2003 then migrating to SBS 08 or straight to 08 and then make the transfer of data?
Thank you for your help.
Thank you for your help.
Yeah I would say install SBS 2003 and then may in 6 months or in a yr migrade to SBS 2008 with exchange 2007 as well.
ASKER
OK, perfect. However, I would like to maintain the same name for the new server (RCH)... is this possible on a fresh install?
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ASKER
Ok very good. So what would you recommend I do with my old SBS2003 box? Should it be just a backup server for data as well as a backup DNS, AD, DHCP? I have three total servers: One PE 2900 (NEW), PE 2600 (OLD DC, EXCH, DNS, AD, Etc) and a PE 1800 (Terminal Server, Backup server, and GFI mail filter)
Any recommendation on reconfiguring?
Any recommendation on reconfiguring?
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I would make the old SBS server as additional DC,DNS,(I assuming this has got oldest hardware) and use the third box for TS,SQL or any other apps.
http://www.smallbizserver.
http://www.sbsmigration.co