Hi - Windows 2000 server - new installation - advice

[billinvegas]

Hi..

I have been charged with looking into establishing a network at my place of business...

It's currently a network of workstations all doing peer to peer with shares...My boss and I would like to streamline this whole process.

It's been some time since I've been in the IT field (i'm now in television production)
I've had some courses in networking, but his was back in the NT 4.0 days...I'm familiar with some of the basics...

here's what I need

- PDC

- Application Server
(correct me if I misunderstand this one...app server will allow a workstation to load apps FROM the app server rather than having the software on each individual workstation, correct?)

- Mail Server

- Network Storage (may actually use a SAN or similar here)
- DHCP server

- Intranet Web Server

we do not do DNS or web in house right now, but may do so in the future, once the basic network is up and running.

the office will be a mix of 2k pro and XP pro workstations,

basic question on hardware:
can one box handle all of the above? If so, what sort of specs should I look for?

I have a line on some secondhand 1 RU servers, however they're in the PIII 1.x gig range. Would these suffice for the individual servers? Could I double up some funtions on some of these and get only 2 or 3 of these boxes?

I do have about 4 RU of space left in a rack, that would be ideal for 4 1ru's if I need to buy multi-boxes...

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The OS

Windows 2k Server...

I'm assuming that the 2k server's licensing works like NT's where you need to calculate the # of clients that will access the server at any given time...
(10 CAL, 20 CAL, etc)

Windows XP pro and W2k pro

not sure, do they offer "multi-packs" of these OS's? or perhaps one set of cd's and multi licenses?

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Resources

Here obviously

but also, any other books, or sites for noobs?
not necessarily a clueless noob, but a noob nonetheless

thanks!

Bill

 

[Billk43]

A lot depends on the number of user in your environment. Generally speaking I would have to suggest getting at least three servers. Build two DC's which could double as application and data servers and build one as your email server.

 

[billinvegas]

probably 20 total users in the building...

at any given time probably no more than 10 using the system

 

[gazzanewpy]

Probably better to run Terminal Services, allowing you to fully control the software being used. MSI installation is a pain at best and fails most often. TS is not of any use if video editing is being used but otherwise is a good solution. It also allows for thin client systems, saving on workstation costs.

XP is better for graphics handling and if you already have it I would not change back, but if it were a new option, WIndows 2000 WS works more in harmony with Windows 2000 Server. As regards licencing, you will require a volume licence (which must include CALs for each workstation).

Mail Server should be solely dedicated (don't make it work any harder than it needs to).

As regards storage, a simple file storage unit (one of the boxes you already have will probably be fine). Though if you go down the TS route you will need a good strong server to handle all of the units (though 10 at a time is nothing at all as regards load).

Your file server could handle DHCP, DNS and all factors relating to login (general services).

 

[crazysal]

i would say you need 2 servers that will provide for a good "backup domain controller configuration"

just use one as your "pdc" and run user files and your SUS your webpage and all that jazz

and for the second server put exchange on it

that way you can reboot one without affecting the other and you can have 2 servers should you want to set up web DNS in the future