What's the latest on running GP on SBS2003 Premium?

[sqlhotdog2005]

Just checking... we've got a new prospect wanting a network with 15 users, 3-4 Great Plains users and Exchange Server.

We started out telling them that we recommended 3 different boxes for this... then got on the phone with some techs at one of the major hardware manufacturers... and their (emphatic) suggestion was to run SBS2003 Premium on a powerful box (2gb RAM, dual 3.2 xeon processors, RAID 5..) and we would be fine... and save a ton of money.

I've just talked to an existing Great Plains client that swears AGAINST having Exchange and SQL on the same box.

Was his just set up wrong, or is that still a no-no? I've seen other posts here that suggest separating them... Am I naive to assume that if it is set up right, it should run well?

 

[VictoriaYudin]

For larger environments and older OS's I agree, SQL and Exchange should be separated. However, for what you're describing, you should be ok.

My recommendation would be to try it on one box running SBS 2003 Premium. Keep an eye on the server, performance, available resources, etc. Worst case scenario, you may need to get a separate box for GP down the road, especially if they grow. Still cheaper than buying 3 servers right now. But for 3-4 GP users, it really should be ok.

I would put at least 3GB of memory in there, though, maybe even 4GB to be safe. Well worth the money. In my experience what will slow most small networks down is their crappy wiring and such, not SBS running Exchange and SQL on good hardware.

 

[jazgeek]

personally, I would not feel safe having sql on the same box as my internet gateway...



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and they wonder why they call it Great Pains!

jaz

 

[VictoriaYudin]

Jazgeek,

I agree - when we implement SBS 2003 Premium we do not install or use ISA on it and don't use the SBS box as the internet gateway. Instead we use a hardware firewall.