Getting startet tips would be nice

[Franky8]

Hi

The company I work at have fired their IT executive because he could not get their systems running right.

I have got the honor of taking over his position, but I have only limited experience with small business server 2003, and the system I am responsible for is runing server 2003 std.

If that wasnt bad enough, the servers keep breaking down at random times, and for random reasons it seems.

Im currently in the process of taking the appropriate certs from microsoft, but it takes some time ofcourse, and in the meantime I will try to run things as best as possible.

We got the following systems running server 2003 standard:

1 DC server
1 file server / backup exec(symantec)
1 exchange server
1 citrix server
1 scala(economy)

and 1 phone server runing server 2000

What should I be most aware of, and do you have any tips for me, taking into account that Im sort of newbie to most of it.

Thanx in advance.

 

[GrimR]

If you have SBS are you running a separate exchange server or is it one server running all of the above. How many users in the organisation.

 

[Franky8]

We are not using SBS at all. But thats the only experience I have with servers.

We have a dedicated exchange server. There is about +-100 people using the systems.

Thanx for reply

 

[GrimR]

sorry misread that. I would then want 2 x separate DC's to backup AD. The rest should be the same as SBS except for citrix, of which I can't help you out on that.

 

[pagy]

Yeah add another domain controller for redundancy;

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms936252.aspx

You say that you are taking the certs so I assume you have some books to read, I always recommend the O Reilly books to people as I think they are very good;

http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/lwinsvr20032/

Ensure that your backups are working!!!!

Paul
MCSE


If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?
Scott Adams

 

[Franky8]

In fact there are already 2 DC's. It seems from the documentation that he left for me, that some of the servers a runing 2 roles.

Pagy - thanx for the tips... cant get enough of them ;o)

Pagy - in fact the backup keeps failing. Its an HP tapedrive, and every 3. day or so, it fails because it needs to be cleaned it says, but I have cleaned it many times.

The company are considering buy a new drive though. We're using symantecs backup exec, is it worth using?

Thanx again for all the feedback, I really need it. )

 

[markdmac]

If the tape unit is a Dell you should try calling them for support. They replace the drives for free all the time because the technology is so problematic.

I would advise you switch to a hard disk or NAS backup device.


I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[GrimR]

Hard disk backup is fine, but in the event of your building or server room burning down you still need to backup to tape or an external device that can be kept off site.

 

[markdmac]

Howdy GrimR, I agree with you, that was why I was specifying the NAS as well. My full time employer has an offering with a NAS that backs itself up to two geographically different storage facilities. Plus the unit itself can virtualize the server(s) it was backing up.

But customers not willing to go that route can still use removable hard disks just like tape.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[pagy]

Symantec backup exec is fine, which version though??

If it is failing saying that the drive needs cleaning then it is a fair bet that the drive is on its way out or the tapes are old, either way you probably should address you backups before anything else.

I'm with GrimR and Markdmac, backing up to disk/NAS is the way to go. Backup exec can do backup to disk;

http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/266377.htm

Or consider Microsoft's Data protection manager;

http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/dpm/default.mspx

Paul
MCSE


If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?
Scott Adams