DC, SQL, and exchange on same test server?

[jmorr34]

I was wondering if I would run into any issues if I had sql, exchange, and the domain controller all on one box for a test server?

Also, I wanted to set up a very small test network. Could I do this simply with one server, a router, and a desktop? If not, what would you recommend for a very simple, small setup.

Thanks,
J

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

Utilize VMWare ESXi; its free.

________________________________________
Achieving a perception of high intelligence level can only be limited by your manipulation skills of the Google algorithm!

 

[58sniper]

It's not recommended to install Exchange on a DC. Well documented.

Like Techy said, use VMWare. Or Hyper-V server. Both are free.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[jmorr34]

well lets say, for example, I already have exchange on the dc test server and it was worked fine as far as pulling old emails off of old backups.

AND i want to add SQL to the server to test a crm program. WIll that work?

AND lets also say, besides the virtualization option, will the single server and a desktop work?

Thanks

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

Exchange shouldnt be on a DC much less adding SQL on top of that. Use a virtual envirronment and import your existing machines and then create new vms for the sql app.

________________________________________
Achieving a perception of high intelligence level can only be limited by your manipulation skills of the Google algorithm!

 

[jmorr34]

Ok, I realize it exch and dc should not be on the same server. Lets get past that b/c I dont even really use it.

The desktop will be used to test the client side of the crm software....I just don't know if I have the time to go through the virualization setup and I know nothing about it. I am a full time student so my hours here are limited.

 

[dreamcurse]

I would leave DCs alone and leave them purely as DCs.

 

[jmorr34]

And that is the reason my DCs in my production environment are exactly that, just DCs.

This is just a little test setup on a test server that I wanted to test the functionality of a crm app between the test server and test desktop. Just trying to see if it does a few things I need it to do.

Thanks for all of the responses thus far.

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

I believe if you cram it all on the one DC then you will run in to possible permissions issue trying to run the app backend on a SQL server located within a loked down DC environment. See if you can use SQL desktop edition and run another desktop...

________________________________________
Achieving a perception of high intelligence level can only be limited by your manipulation skills of the Google algorithm!

 

[Zelandakh]

You'll spend more time troubleshooting issues than spending the 10 minutes to get up to speed on virtualisation then deploying straight VMs for each role.

 

[biglebowski]

Just because it's a test machine doesn't mean that you won't get skewed results from this setup. As said before go with esxi it's free and extremely easy to setup.

When I was born I was so suprised I didn't talk for 18 months