SBS 2008 Premium Partitioning

"If 2nd server is needed, does it need to be a server or can a standard pc be used?"

Sure it can be a standard pc, but do you really want SQL running on a standard pc?  Maybe?  If you are testing or it's not a big deal if it goes down.  If you do go witha standard pc for the SQL box then make it a brand new pc with at least a morror.

"If Hyper V is needed, is this done on my single server i have? "

Yes, you can install the Hyper-V role on the single pc and have multiple vm's running.  You have nice hardware and multiple resources, so it will handle it fine.  Suggestion: Install 1 or 2 more network cards, it will help.  

tonymike,

Can you explain the need for more network cards?

tonymike,

what about a cheap dell server?
how big would the two drives i am mirroring need to be?

tonymike,

If i go the hyper v route, how much more ram do I need on my server?
I have 8 gig

It all depends on what you have running.  Your main server will use most of the RAM as SBS2008 is a monster, so you might be able to get a few workstation vm's OR maybe 1 server.  I would suggest trying it out and see how slow it is first.  The you always have the option to add more RAM later.  Hope this answers your question!

Yes the server has two ethernet ports.

Perfect, use 1 for the main server and the other for the vm's.  Nice and clean.

tonymike,

I just got the word that the company would foot for a 2nd server if I keep it under $2000.00

So what do you think about putting the sql on that 2nd server instead of hyper v?

Few things:

If you are going to be using SQL the disk I/O is very important.

What RAID controller do you have on the T410? If this is a PERC 6i, I thought these only had a 4 way controller on them?

It does depend somewhat on what the users are doing and how much work the server is going to be getting.

Is the T410 a single or Dual Xeon Server? What CPU does it have? If its single X3430 or similar I think HyperV, SBS + SVR08 & SQL will be much too much even for 8 users.

I would normally recommend 16GB RAM for a small install like this (8GB SBS, 6GB SVR08 & SQL, 2GB HOST). I know some 410s are dual- CPU. Remember you need even amount of RAM between CPU for Hyper-V as well or it wont work.

Ok..
The server that was just bought
 (not what they will allocate the $2000.00 for. That will be what I will have to decide)
is :

Dell T410 with:
8gb Memory
Intel Xeon E5620 2.4 Ghz 12M Cache Single Processor
Perc 6i SAS Raid Controller
Raid1/ Raid1 for Perc/SAS 6ir Perc h200/h700 controller
(2) 1Terrabyte 7.2 rpm Sata 3.5 Hot Plug Hard drives

We have approx 8 users.

The software is SBS2008 Premium

I was hoping the 2nd server I can spend up to two grand on would help with the sql.
The sql is handling a financial database with 8 users , not a real heavy workflow

I think that rather than buying a second server that will spend most of it's time idle, beef up your current server (though I doubt that you need to aside from bumping the RAM to maybe 12 GB). I suggest starting with what you have using virtual machines and if the performance isn't good enough add RAM. If that still isn't enough performance (unlikely), you have add a pair of solid state disks in RAID 1 and put your SQL data on that and it will fly. You only have 8 users, so let's not go overboard here. Better to spend the $$ on a good backup and recovery plan.

Since it's not in this thread, I'll add that you should check with your vendor to see if you can get SBS 2011 Premium instead.

I would go with a second server.  That way you have a backup DC, SQL is on it's own box and you have choices moving forward.  Yes, SQL on the second box makes sense.  Bottom line, you have more choiced with 2 physical boxes and i like choices! I hope I answered all your questions.

Some of these diverse opinions need explanation.
One of you says if you do a 2nd machine let it also be a dc.
Others say don't make it a dc??

Others ignore that I'm will have a learning curve on Hyoer v , yet will not vote for a second machine.

How about this..
Take the fact I already have the abs 2008 premium software and a Dell server with the specs I showed. I WILL get a 2nd server.

What's the best way to configure what I have??

There is not necessarily a correct solution but several solutions.

Kevin - why do you say best not to keep DC off sql?

You do not need separate hdd for exchange logs.

Also is this recommendations for sbs (server1) or second server? As second server isn't going to have exchange.

For a great guide to setup sbs check

blog.mpecsinc.ca/2009/05/sbs-2008-setup-checklist-v111.html

kevinhsieh:

The drives are 7.2k sata's

:You said make the second server a dc as well.
I thought the 2nd one would be a backup dc or THE dc.
Can you explain?

naughtynat:

SBS should be the first server

Hi Nat,

Got an additional 5 beyond the purchase. Ebay purchase...
So the 2nd under premium is 2008 Server i think..
Is that right?
And then I install the SQL on that?

Yes that is correct.

Sbs premium 2008 includes
 Sbs 2008*1
 Server 2008*1
 Sql 2008*1
 5 CALs

Process would be to do sbs server first on server 1
Then setup server 2008 on the second server, then install the sql server on that 2nd server.

Any suggestion on backing up.
We have also purchased dell's RD1000 hard drive cartridge backup.

I would think that would be part of a new question as would need to know server setup.

I always use storagecraft shadowprotect but there is windows based backup software that us included free and isn't too bad but I haven't had much experience with that.

All 20 of his questions have been answered.  So now the author started a new topic in the same post!  I gave up.