SuperServer

[iolair]

Is it possible to run an entire network on one very powerful server? The services I have to run are: DHCP, Anti-Virus, Backup, File sharing, Print sharing, and some type of authentication (doesn't have to be AD). Or, are those days gone forever?

Thanks.

Iolair MacWalter
Director of IT

 

[porkchopexpress]

That's not really the idea behind the client server setup that Windows server is based on which is usually more smaller servers. MS recommend you have at least two DC's to provide redundancy for Active Directory and DNS. You could possibly build a large server cluster to emulate a mainframe (or one large server) but then you might as well just have a few servers.

 

[iolair]

Okay, do they have to be very powerful? I've got 40 users, total. Is there a way to split the services so that they're fairly balanced? I guess that depends on my situtation, but, are things usually grouped together? Like, File services and backup services? DHCP and WINS? Anti-virus and print services, etc.?

Thanks very much.

Iolair MacWalter
Director of IT

 

[AP0680]

We are currntly 50 users, we do all this on a single server, but we are running Windows 2003 SBS. That may be the best bet for you.

 

[itsp1965]

Iolair since I am not particulary keen on keeping multiple Windows services on one box (although possible), you could always maintain a "super server" running virtualized version of your Windows servers

 

[iolair]

Well, if I don't need quad processor, 4GB, RAID 5 servers with redundant power supplies, NICs, etc., then I can easily put in three or four servers.

Iolair MacWalter
Director of IT