server advice-

[Anonymous]

o.k. so a few months ago i was put in charge of researching and getting a
phone system and a new server -

then when i came in with the quotes i was told that we could wait.... well
now that tax time is here we need it all now- oh joy...

the phone thing is fine but i am in a quandry over the server- we have a
small (10 now- upto 15 within a year maybe) user peer to peer
network. it works fine for the most part but we have had some minor issues-
speed-plotting-backups- etc... so i need a decent "server" type cpu- i would
like it to have a large 20-40 gig tape backup and a cd burner, and at least
40-80 gig of hd space- now whether or not it is scsi or raid i am not sure-
when i go to dell or compaq websites and try to configure one my brains fall
out and i end up getting the price up to $5000.00 and not being sure of what
i am really getting- i need it to be around $3000.00 and i need to be sure
that it will do the job-

also- what software is advisable- at this point can i just keep it peer to
peer and get a "server" with win2k on it? i keep seing these packages with
win2k or small business server with 5 licenses for 6-800 dollars? is it
worth it? what is the difference? god i feel like such an idiot asking such
simple questions-

and lastly- right now i am using 2 netgear 10 port 10/100 hubs for all of us
and not having any real problems- should i go to a switch instead- what is
the difference? i usually know all of this but i am in a tight schedule with
a big project and i have been sick for like 2 weeks so i am just praying to
make it to x-mas and take a long weekend...

thanks to you all for any help you can offer-

jjd

[Anonymous]

> o.k. so a few months ago i was put in charge of researching and getting a
> phone system and a new server -
>
> then when i came in with the quotes i was told that we could wait.... well
> now that tax time is here we need it all now- oh joy...
>
> the phone thing is fine but i am in a quandry over the server- we have a
> small (10 now- upto 15 within a year maybe) user peer to peer
> network. it works fine for the most part but we have had some minor
issues-
> speed-plotting-backups- etc... so i need a decent "server" type cpu- i
would
> like it to have a large 20-40 gig tape backup and a cd burner, and at
least
> 40-80 gig of hd space- now whether or not it is scsi or raid i am not
sure-
> when i go to dell or compaq websites and try to configure one my brains
fall
> out and i end up getting the price up to $5000.00 and not being sure of
what
> i am really getting- i need it to be around $3000.00 and i need to be sure
> that it will do the job-

The type of HDDs you need depend on what you are doing with it.
File Server or Web Server: SCSI RAID (RAID 0 or RAID 0+1)
All others (Budget, if available): SCSI IDE (RAID 0)
I would always suggest RAID 0 (Mirror) for a server. That means you have an
"extra" copy of all the data on the server and if a drive dies, you are not
left with data loss and a missing machine for a week.

As for the processor, a 2.0 Ghz Pentium 4 or 2000+ Athlon XP will do the
trick. I would recommend an Asus motherboard though, for quality.

> also- what software is advisable- at this point can i just keep it peer
to
> peer and get a "server" with win2k on it? i keep seing these packages with
> win2k or small business server with 5 licenses for 6-800 dollars? is it
> worth it? what is the difference? god i feel like such an idiot asking
such
> simple questions-

Windows 2000 Server has all the goodies you need for a File
Server/Webserver. If you want to have User level authentication (MUST log
into network) you need to have the multiple licenses (seats). If you just
plan on keeping it with simple peer to peer, you do not need multiple
licenses.

> and lastly- right now i am using 2 netgear 10 port 10/100 hubs for all of
us
> and not having any real problems- should i go to a switch instead- what is
> the difference? i usually know all of this but i am in a tight schedule
with
> a big project and i have been sick for like 2 weeks so i am just praying
to
> make it to x-mas and take a long weekend...

In this case, if it is not broken, don't fix it. What you are using is fine.

> thanks to you all for any help you can offer-
>
> jjd

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

----------
Ashley Fulks
Production Manager @ www.nisku.ca
Specialized Supercomputers for Inventor
http://www.nisku.ca/autocomp.htm

[Anonymous]

thanks so much for the info-

i needed that-

jjd

[Anonymous]

we've got a dell with a RAID mirror, single processor - capable of 2, i
think it's the 1500sc.
we included a 20/40 tape. It ended up at $5000 something with the OS
software + the veritas backup software. We dropped our hub and went with a
10/100 switch with a single 1000 port to the server. they threw it in for
free. The server should last us for a long time.

we got small business server SBS with it. we're small, 2 sec, 1 boss, 4 cad
and 1 for photoshop. I love SBS cause it gave us Exchange as well as a few
other goodies. It requires you to buy client licenses beyond 5. we're at
15. you can go up to 50 but it's recommended to switch to the full versions
before then. For small businesses it's great cause it gives you lots of
abilities. Having Exchange it nice and we barely use it. Just for email
and shared contacts right now but the secretary loves it cause she can
access the shared contacts for printing address envelopes. You can also
share a calendar and the like.

SBS is more expensive than just server but cheaper than server and exchange.
It's a little easier to use too. They've added some consoles to help non
trained IT people like i was.

cj

[Anonymous]

i will take that as good advice

thanks

jjd
"CJ Follmer" wrote in message
news:6C1A8924016ADA92C5EB72C4120F2260@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> we've got a dell with a RAID mirror, single processor - capable of 2, i
> think it's the 1500sc.
> we included a 20/40 tape. It ended up at $5000 something with the OS
> software + the veritas backup software. We dropped our hub and went with
a
> 10/100 switch with a single 1000 port to the server. they threw it in for
> free. The server should last us for a long time.
>

[Anonymous]

Ashley

RAID0 is stripe, RAIDI and above is mirror or mirror+. Sorry for the
nit-picking, just don't want any MIS communication if it can be avoided. You
definitely do not want RAIDI on a server, your reliability is reduced.

gcooper


"Ashley Fulks" wrote in message
news:3BBD5345226CDCC62EF2594C08CC9A34@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > o.k. so a few months ago i was put in charge of researching and getting
a
> > phone system and a new server -
> >
> > then when i came in with the quotes i was told that we could wait....
well
> > now that tax time is here we need it all now- oh joy...
> >
> > the phone thing is fine but i am in a quandry over the server- we have a
> > small (10 now- upto 15 within a year maybe) user peer to peer
> > network. it works fine for the most part but we have had some minor
> issues-
> > speed-plotting-backups- etc... so i need a decent "server" type cpu- i
> would
> > like it to have a large 20-40 gig tape backup and a cd burner, and at
> least
> > 40-80 gig of hd space- now whether or not it is scsi or raid i am not
> sure-
> > when i go to dell or compaq websites and try to configure one my brains
> fall
> > out and i end up getting the price up to $5000.00 and not being sure of
> what
> > i am really getting- i need it to be around $3000.00 and i need to be
sure
> > that it will do the job-
>
> The type of HDDs you need depend on what you are doing with it.
> File Server or Web Server: SCSI RAID (RAID 0 or RAID 0+1)
> All others (Budget, if available): SCSI IDE (RAID 0)
> I would always suggest RAID 0 (Mirror) for a server. That means you have
an
> "extra" copy of all the data on the server and if a drive dies, you are
not
> left with data loss and a missing machine for a week.
>
> As for the processor, a 2.0 Ghz Pentium 4 or 2000+ Athlon XP will do the
> trick. I would recommend an Asus motherboard though, for quality.
>
> > also- what software is advisable- at this point can i just keep it peer
> to
> > peer and get a "server" with win2k on it? i keep seing these packages
with
> > win2k or small business server with 5 licenses for 6-800 dollars? is it
> > worth it? what is the difference? god i feel like such an idiot asking
> such
> > simple questions-
>
> Windows 2000 Server has all the goodies you need for a File
> Server/Webserver. If you want to have User level authentication (MUST log
> into network) you need to have the multiple licenses (seats). If you just
> plan on keeping it with simple peer to peer, you do not need multiple
> licenses.
>
> > and lastly- right now i am using 2 netgear 10 port 10/100 hubs for all
of
> us
> > and not having any real problems- should i go to a switch instead- what
is
> > the difference? i usually know all of this but i am in a tight schedule
> with
> > a big project and i have been sick for like 2 weeks so i am just praying
> to
> > make it to x-mas and take a long weekend...
>
> In this case, if it is not broken, don't fix it. What you are using is
fine.
>
> > thanks to you all for any help you can offer-
> >
> > jjd
>
> Good luck and Merry Christmas!
>
> ----------
> Ashley Fulks
> Production Manager @ www.nisku.ca
> Specialized Supercomputers for Inventor
> http://www.nisku.ca/autocomp.htm
>
>

[Anonymous]

RAID 1 mirroring - drives are on the same controller.
RAID 2 duplexing - mirroring drives on separate controllers.

I'd go with RAID 2 or even striping with parity (RAID 5? requires 3 drives
minimum).


"GCooper" wrote in message
news:66068A86A33B50E45C550F2F5026201E@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Ashley
>
> RAID0 is stripe, RAIDI and above is mirror or mirror+. Sorry for the
> nit-picking, just don't want any MIS communication if it can be avoided.
You
> definitely do not want RAIDI on a server, your reliability is reduced.
>
> gcooper
>
>
> "Ashley Fulks" wrote in message
> news:3BBD5345226CDCC62EF2594C08CC9A34@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > o.k. so a few months ago i was put in charge of researching and
getting
> a
> > > phone system and a new server -
> > >
> > > then when i came in with the quotes i was told that we could wait....
> well
> > > now that tax time is here we need it all now- oh joy...
> > >
> > > the phone thing is fine but i am in a quandry over the server- we have
a
> > > small (10 now- upto 15 within a year maybe) user peer to peer
> > > network. it works fine for the most part but we have had some minor
> > issues-
> > > speed-plotting-backups- etc... so i need a decent "server" type cpu- i
> > would
> > > like it to have a large 20-40 gig tape backup and a cd burner, and at
> > least
> > > 40-80 gig of hd space- now whether or not it is scsi or raid i am not
> > sure-
> > > when i go to dell or compaq websites and try to configure one my
brains
> > fall
> > > out and i end up getting the price up to $5000.00 and not being sure
of
> > what
> > > i am really getting- i need it to be around $3000.00 and i need to be
> sure
> > > that it will do the job-
> >
> > The type of HDDs you need depend on what you are doing with it.
> > File Server or Web Server: SCSI RAID (RAID 0 or RAID 0+1)
> > All others (Budget, if available): SCSI IDE (RAID 0)
> > I would always suggest RAID 0 (Mirror) for a server. That means you have
> an
> > "extra" copy of all the data on the server and if a drive dies, you are
> not
> > left with data loss and a missing machine for a week.
> >
> > As for the processor, a 2.0 Ghz Pentium 4 or 2000+ Athlon XP will do the
> > trick. I would recommend an Asus motherboard though, for quality.
> >
> > > also- what software is advisable- at this point can i just keep it
peer
> > to
> > > peer and get a "server" with win2k on it? i keep seing these packages
> with
> > > win2k or small business server with 5 licenses for 6-800 dollars? is
it
> > > worth it? what is the difference? god i feel like such an idiot asking
> > such
> > > simple questions-
> >
> > Windows 2000 Server has all the goodies you need for a File
> > Server/Webserver. If you want to have User level authentication (MUST
log
> > into network) you need to have the multiple licenses (seats). If you
just
> > plan on keeping it with simple peer to peer, you do not need multiple
> > licenses.
> >
> > > and lastly- right now i am using 2 netgear 10 port 10/100 hubs for all
> of
> > us
> > > and not having any real problems- should i go to a switch instead-
what
> is
> > > the difference? i usually know all of this but i am in a tight
schedule
> > with
> > > a big project and i have been sick for like 2 weeks so i am just
praying
> > to
> > > make it to x-mas and take a long weekend...
> >
> > In this case, if it is not broken, don't fix it. What you are using is
> fine.
> >
> > > thanks to you all for any help you can offer-
> > >
> > > jjd
> >
> > Good luck and Merry Christmas!
> >
> > ----------
> > Ashley Fulks
> > Production Manager @ www.nisku.ca
> > Specialized Supercomputers for Inventor
> > http://www.nisku.ca/autocomp.htm
> >
> >
>

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the correction Gcooper, RAID 0 is striping and RAID 1 is Mirror.

Caution! Typing too fast can cause cramps!

Ashley


"Joe Melton" wrote in message
news:0CED6F9751BA8D51AEA62357037EF2F6@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> RAID 1 mirroring - drives are on the same controller.
> RAID 2 duplexing - mirroring drives on separate controllers.
>
> I'd go with RAID 2 or even striping with parity (RAID 5? requires 3
drives
> minimum).
>
>
> "GCooper" wrote in message
> news:66068A86A33B50E45C550F2F5026201E@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > Ashley
> >
> > RAID0 is stripe, RAIDI and above is mirror or mirror+. Sorry for the
> > nit-picking, just don't want any MIS communication if it can be avoided.
> You
> > definitely do not want RAIDI on a server, your reliability is reduced.
> >
> > gcooper
> >
> >
> > "Ashley Fulks" wrote in message
> > news:3BBD5345226CDCC62EF2594C08CC9A34@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > o.k. so a few months ago i was put in charge of researching and
> getting
> > a
> > > > phone system and a new server -
> > > >
> > > > then when i came in with the quotes i was told that we could
wait....
> > well
> > > > now that tax time is here we need it all now- oh joy...
> > > >
> > > > the phone thing is fine but i am in a quandry over the server- we
have
> a
> > > > small (10 now- upto 15 within a year maybe) user peer to peer
> > > > network. it works fine for the most part but we have had some minor
> > > issues-
> > > > speed-plotting-backups- etc... so i need a decent "server" type cpu-
i
> > > would
> > > > like it to have a large 20-40 gig tape backup and a cd burner, and
at
> > > least
> > > > 40-80 gig of hd space- now whether or not it is scsi or raid i am
not
> > > sure-
> > > > when i go to dell or compaq websites and try to configure one my
> brains
> > > fall
> > > > out and i end up getting the price up to $5000.00 and not being sure
> of
> > > what
> > > > i am really getting- i need it to be around $3000.00 and i need to
be
> > sure
> > > > that it will do the job-
> > >
> > > The type of HDDs you need depend on what you are doing with it.
> > > File Server or Web Server: SCSI RAID (RAID 0 or RAID 0+1)
> > > All others (Budget, if available): SCSI IDE (RAID 0)
> > > I would always suggest RAID 0 (Mirror) for a server. That means you
have
> > an
> > > "extra" copy of all the data on the server and if a drive dies, you
are
> > not
> > > left with data loss and a missing machine for a week.
> > >
> > > As for the processor, a 2.0 Ghz Pentium 4 or 2000+ Athlon XP will do
the
> > > trick. I would recommend an Asus motherboard though, for quality.
> > >
> > > > also- what software is advisable- at this point can i just keep it
> peer
> > > to
> > > > peer and get a "server" with win2k on it? i keep seing these
packages
> > with
> > > > win2k or small business server with 5 licenses for 6-800 dollars? is
> it
> > > > worth it? what is the difference? god i feel like such an idiot
asking
> > > such
> > > > simple questions-
> > >
> > > Windows 2000 Server has all the goodies you need for a File
> > > Server/Webserver. If you want to have User level authentication (MUST
> log
> > > into network) you need to have the multiple licenses (seats). If you
> just
> > > plan on keeping it with simple peer to peer, you do not need multiple
> > > licenses.
> > >
> > > > and lastly- right now i am using 2 netgear 10 port 10/100 hubs for
all
> > of
> > > us
> > > > and not having any real problems- should i go to a switch instead-
> what
> > is
> > > > the difference? i usually know all of this but i am in a tight
> schedule
> > > with
> > > > a big project and i have been sick for like 2 weeks so i am just
> praying
> > > to
> > > > make it to x-mas and take a long weekend...
> > >
> > > In this case, if it is not broken, don't fix it. What you are using is
> > fine.
> > >
> > > > thanks to you all for any help you can offer-
> > > >
> > > > jjd
> > >
> > > Good luck and Merry Christmas!
> > >
> > > ----------
> > > Ashley Fulks
> > > Production Manager @ www.nisku.ca
> > > Specialized Supercomputers for Inventor
> > > http://www.nisku.ca/autocomp.htm
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

Very true.

Hey, when can we see some bench marks of the Autocomp? I'm really
interested. I need some ammo for my workstation negotiations. I need some
conclusive evidence that RAID0 and dual processors would increase my ability
to produce.

gcooper


"Ashley Fulks" wrote in message
news:7CC8C3BDEC71D810DD8E84B7431C5630@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Thanks for the correction Gcooper, RAID 0 is striping and RAID 1 is
Mirror.
>
> Caution! Typing too fast can cause cramps!
>
> Ashley
>
>
> "Joe Melton" wrote in message
> news:0CED6F9751BA8D51AEA62357037EF2F6@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > RAID 1 mirroring - drives are on the same controller.
> > RAID 2 duplexing - mirroring drives on separate controllers.
> >
> > I'd go with RAID 2 or even striping with parity (RAID 5? requires 3
> drives
> > minimum).
> >
> >
> > "GCooper" wrote in message
> > news:66068A86A33B50E45C550F2F5026201E@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > Ashley
> > >
> > > RAID0 is stripe, RAIDI and above is mirror or mirror+. Sorry for the
> > > nit-picking, just don't want any MIS communication if it can be
avoided.
> > You
> > > definitely do not want RAIDI on a server, your reliability is reduced.
> > >
> > > gcooper
> > >
> > >
> > > "Ashley Fulks" wrote in message
> > > news:3BBD5345226CDCC62EF2594C08CC9A34@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > o.k. so a few months ago i was put in charge of researching and
> > getting
> > > a
> > > > > phone system and a new server -
> > > > >
> > > > > then when i came in with the quotes i was told that we could
> wait....
> > > well
> > > > > now that tax time is here we need it all now- oh joy...
> > > > >
> > > > > the phone thing is fine but i am in a quandry over the server- we
> have
> > a
> > > > > small (10 now- upto 15 within a year maybe) user peer to peer
> > > > > network. it works fine for the most part but we have had some
minor
> > > > issues-
> > > > > speed-plotting-backups- etc... so i need a decent "server" type
cpu-
> i
> > > > would
> > > > > like it to have a large 20-40 gig tape backup and a cd burner, and
> at
> > > > least
> > > > > 40-80 gig of hd space- now whether or not it is scsi or raid i am
> not
> > > > sure-
> > > > > when i go to dell or compaq websites and try to configure one my
> > brains
> > > > fall
> > > > > out and i end up getting the price up to $5000.00 and not being
sure
> > of
> > > > what
> > > > > i am really getting- i need it to be around $3000.00 and i need to
> be
> > > sure
> > > > > that it will do the job-
> > > >
> > > > The type of HDDs you need depend on what you are doing with it.
> > > > File Server or Web Server: SCSI RAID (RAID 0 or RAID 0+1)
> > > > All others (Budget, if available): SCSI IDE (RAID 0)
> > > > I would always suggest RAID 0 (Mirror) for a server. That means you
> have
> > > an
> > > > "extra" copy of all the data on the server and if a drive dies, you
> are
> > > not
> > > > left with data loss and a missing machine for a week.
> > > >
> > > > As for the processor, a 2.0 Ghz Pentium 4 or 2000+ Athlon XP will do
> the
> > > > trick. I would recommend an Asus motherboard though, for quality.
> > > >
> > > > > also- what software is advisable- at this point can i just keep
it
> > peer
> > > > to
> > > > > peer and get a "server" with win2k on it? i keep seing these
> packages
> > > with
> > > > > win2k or small business server with 5 licenses for 6-800 dollars?
is
> > it
> > > > > worth it? what is the difference? god i feel like such an idiot
> asking
> > > > such
> > > > > simple questions-
> > > >
> > > > Windows 2000 Server has all the goodies you need for a File
> > > > Server/Webserver. If you want to have User level authentication
(MUST
> > log
> > > > into network) you need to have the multiple licenses (seats). If you
> > just
> > > > plan on keeping it with simple peer to peer, you do not need
multiple
> > > > licenses.
> > > >
> > > > > and lastly- right now i am using 2 netgear 10 port 10/100 hubs for
> all
> > > of
> > > > us
> > > > > and not having any real problems- should i go to a switch instead-
> > what
> > > is
> > > > > the difference? i usually know all of this but i am in a tight
> > schedule
> > > > with
> > > > > a big project and i have been sick for like 2 weeks so i am just
> > praying
> > > > to
> > > > > make it to x-mas and take a long weekend...
> > > >
> > > > In this case, if it is not broken, don't fix it. What you are using
is
> > > fine.
> > > >
> > > > > thanks to you all for any help you can offer-
> > > > >
> > > > > jjd
> > > >
> > > > Good luck and Merry Christmas!
> > > >
> > > > ----------
> > > > Ashley Fulks
> > > > Production Manager @ www.nisku.ca
> > > > Specialized Supercomputers for Inventor
> > > > http://www.nisku.ca/autocomp.htm
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

I will second that advice. We have a Dell PowerEdge 1300 and we are running
SBS. I love it. Your server will become absolutely central to your
business, so I would not skimp on it at all. Get a good tape backup. We
have RAID 5 as it is more cost effective and Mirroring, and still gives the
same security. I think our setup was about $6000 including hardware,
software, and additional CAL's for SBS. The more people who are dependant
on the server for their work, the more money any downtime will cost you.
With 10 employees using it, and 15 possible, I think you will find it more
expensive to have it fail than to buy a high quality box that is less likely
to have problems.

Robert


"jd-drafter" wrote in message
news:228DA28D50E2BE0DE92C13F31ACEFD81@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> i will take that as good advice
>
> thanks
>
> jjd
> "CJ Follmer" wrote in message
> news:6C1A8924016ADA92C5EB72C4120F2260@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > we've got a dell with a RAID mirror, single processor - capable of 2, i
> > think it's the 1500sc.
> > we included a 20/40 tape. It ended up at $5000 something with the OS
> > software + the veritas backup software. We dropped our hub and went
with
> a
> > 10/100 switch with a single 1000 port to the server. they threw it in
for
> > free. The server should last us for a long time.
> >
>
>
>