using SBS 2003 as a workstation & adding it to the domain 1

[WestCoastKid]

Hi Gang,
I need to come up with a way to create redundancy for a workstation that runs a special application. (Raid 1)
Hardware RAID was deemed too expensive.

So because SBS 2003 supports software raid I was wondering if I could install the OS on a regular workstation for the sake of software raid and then add this system to the our current sbs 2003 domain with out issue. Essentially it would be like adding a member server but I'm not sure how to minimize the abilities this system will have (No AD, or DNS, DHCP Etc) I simply want it treated as a subordinate workstation.

Basically I want the software raid ability from sbs 2003 and nothing more, but I also want to avoid any problems of trying to use a minimal install of sbs 2003.

Can someone provide a little direction?

 

[ntinlin]

XP Pro supports RAID 1 as far as I recall, can't see why you would need to use server.

Neill

 

[markdmac]

You can't have more than one SBS server ina domain. So no you can't do that. Your best course of action is to purchase a SATA raid card and use SATA drives with hardware RAID in a workstation.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[WestCoastKid]

I posted a question regarding mirrored volumes in the Microsoft Forums and an MVP responded with:

"Mirrored volumes are not available on computers running Windows XP. You cannot create mirrored volumes or RAID-5 volumes on Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, or Windows XP 64-Bit Edition-based computers."

 

[WestCoastKid]

You can't have more than one SBS server ina domain. So no you can't do that. Your best course of action is to purchase a SATA raid card and use SATA drives with hardware RAID in a workstation.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark"


Really? So what OS do member servers or app servers run?
I don't doubt what you're saying I'm simply surprised to hear so.

 

[markdmac]

A member server would have to be Windows 2003 Server Standard or Advanced.

SBS is marketed for small businesses that will only have a single server. The price is significantly discounted. If you wish to have an additional server be a DC or even just a file server then normal server pricing applies.

You CAN have mirroring or RAID with XP, it must be HARDWARE based not software based. XP does not support software based mirror or RAID. A hardware based solution is OS independent. That is why I recommended the SATA card. It is a hardware solution.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark