Re-Installed Server

[ElijahBaley]

Hi Guys

I am to inherit a NT Server from our corporate office in the states, apparentl this server has been rock solid in the past, so it has been suggested that I note it's set-up before re-installing it as a stand alone server (it is to be a Exchange Server)

What features should I note and try to replicate if it has been so reliable in the past..page file??

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Graham

 

[Zelandakh]

If it is rock solid that is the hardware.

Assuming the HD is big enough, make the usual notes of what it thinks the hardware is and so on and install the member server along side the old installation. Then you can dual boot back to the old server if the new one is not rock solid...

 

[jrdebug]

i agree with zelandakh. you must take note of the identified and installed devices and make sure that you also inherited the media which contains them just in case NT is not able to identify them properly. basically, if you have these driver media available, the server on it's base config, will perform properly.

i also agree with zelandakh that you must be extra sure that the HD is big enough specially since you will be installing exchange in it.

 

[ElijahBaley]

Thanks for the advice,

Absolutely I will check out the devices and ensure that I have correct drivers etc, but I was thinking more along the lines of the cofiguration of settings such as performance options and environment.

If these have been changed from default and work well with this particular Server's hardware then I would be wise record and replicate those in the new installation - my question is are there any other administrator configurable options that may have been changed from default that I ought to check ?

Thanks, Graham

 

[jrdebug]

if the original application running on the server is the same one you are to install, Exchange, then, it is really advisable to replicate the exact environment settings. otherwise, there won't be any need. the OS on its own, will run smoothly with the default settings. it is only when we install applications that we are required to tweak some settings.

having said, take note of the system properties specially environment variables.

hope this helps...

Jeffrey Rebong
Computer Engineer/Network Administrator
jrdebug@yahoo.com

 

[ElijahBaley]

Thanks everyone

Graham

 

[Mubashir]

I hope I'm not too late on this.

Besides hardware, equally commendable is the man who managed your 'rock solid' server.

I use Windows NT Diagnostics report as a way of keeping the 'case history' of all our servers. I get a periodic print out (six months or so) of this report to track down any changes. Though, I have a habit of relying too much on my memory, these reports are nice snapshots of the systems at any given time. Plus they can complement the trouble-shooting process.

In your case, I think it's all you need. Every important aspect of the system is covered in it, including env. variables, memory, IRQs DMA, HD FS, drivers, services, networking etc. etc. What's more, it's either in summary form or a complete report.

If you planning to use it as an Exchange Server, you might have to re-lay the foundations, I mean partitions, file system, pagefile etc, so plan well.

Now it's your turn to make it 'rock solid' and as I said, a lot depends on 'how you manage'.

Hope this helps.
Mubashir
muhammad.mubashir@sbp.org.pk

Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Newton

 

[ElijahBaley]

Not too late - thanks, Mubashir

Graham