HP Proliant DL320 Gen5 to replace an old server win 2000??

[RoisinG]

Hi,
I am new to servers and networking, I usualy work with software so bare with me!
We currently have a windows 2000 advanced server with 8 clients. The main information that is on the server is in the form of TPVplus and Contaplus which are (spanish) sales and accounting software with database files .dbf. The current server is a powerful PC acting as a server.

I have been given the HPProliant a server rack to replace the server that we have. It has come without any server software and before I got it someone installed windows vista enterprise!.

My questions are as follows:
What server software should I put on the server, 2000 or 2003? which would be less complicated?
To start I will have to add the new server to the active directory?
What is the easiest way to swap one server machine for another?
I certainly need advice or some kind of step by step how to for this one.
Any help is very apreciated!!!
Best Regards,
Róisín

 

[Davetoo]

You're going to be best served finding a local consultant that can physically come on site and assist you.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[RoisinAnn]

Hello,
Of course that is the easiest way for anyone to do this, but I am going to set up the server myself. (note that when I say that I am new to this I should probably add that I am a qualified engineer, just havent done much server stuff)
So as before any start up advice or recommended documentation on the subject would be very apreciated.
Thanks,
Róisín

 

[itsp1965]

Roisin even though you are a qualified engineer this is not a simple task for someone who has not worked on servers/networks before. Yes you can probably read a book and try to work your way through it, but if you are looking to do this in a short timeframe you are best served by using a consultant as Davetoo pointed out.

If you are determined to do this yourself, I recommend the following;

1. Download the SmartStart CD that supports your HP hardware (if you don't already have it)
2. Buy yourself a copy of Windows 2003 server and the number of required licenses
3. Go to the HP site and download any documentation relevant to your server on how to install the OS

This will get the OS installed on the server, after that it all depends what you want to do with it.

 

[Davetoo]

Then go to the bookstore and buy every book you can find on the subject and start reading.

Good luck.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[AndrewTait]

Personally, considering you are new to servers and networking, I would go with 2003. The reason for that is that 2000 Server is now in the extended support phase, that is the last phase before all support from Microsoft stops, although this will be around for another 2 years yet.

You will find it hard to get hold of a new 2000 server license, and the books you will undoubtedly need to read will not be available.

As for the best way forward, as itsp1965 says, download the smartstart cd, and install 2003 via this.

I am assuming you have already got an Active Directory (AD), and this will be a member server, rather than a domain controller, and a new AD. This would be a better way of doing things, especially due to your lack of knowledge, the last thing you want to be doing is learning to set up AD in a live environment.

=======================================
I got to the edge of sanity....then i fell off
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[RoisinAnn]

Hello,
Thanks a lot for the advice.
I have ordered windows server 2003 Premium edition and Im in the process of downloading the smartstart CD.
The server currently has one hard drive, a Seagate Barracuda 80gb sata. I have ordered an identical hard drive to add to the server.
I will add this hard drive and set the array to RAID1.
I suppose I should do this before I install the operating system.
Yes I already have an active directory and I am banking on adding my server to it.
The only doubt I have is when I will have to take the other server away?
Certainly off to the book shop today
All suggestions welcome!
Róisín