Win2k server setup

[Antimatter]

We've been asked to give a quote for setting up a Windows 2000 server for a school. As we haven't really delved much into this area much I thought it would help to see how others deal with charging for this type of thing and recommended system setups.

The setup will be 30 Workstations with up to 5 users on each, requiring internet and email access through an ADSL Router(running through the server I would prefer).

Hardware wise I'd like to recommend RAID 1 as a minimum with tape backup besides.

Most likely we'll need to set up M$ ISA server as well as exchange and some kind of antivirus.

We're looking at charging a basic setup charge for getting the system up and running on the network. We're a little unsure as to how to charge after the basic setup. Should we give a quote for setting up exchange with basic users or just charge at an hourly rate for admin type stuff?

Any other ideas or issues we might run across would be appreciated.

[3fingersalute]

Hourly is the best way to go, it will help you cover your *ss.......although, remember, never relay any unfamiliararity to the customer!!!!!!!

[ephmynus]

never relay any unfamiliararity to the customer!!!!!!!

Well said. That's a good way to be underpaid. There is a good chance that they will suggest paying you per machine. Make sure you try to hit the hourly rate. There is always something not thought of.

[Kymera]

Definitely hourly for the whole thing, especially if you're going to be working with the ISP. Believe me, you want to be paid while you're hanging out on hold.

3FS is right though, if you don't know it, the customer won't either. Make something up if they ask you something you don't know . . . then come here and "research" the answer.

[cyberhh]

As a school they may require a bid to be posted if the estimated ammount is over $5000, to that effect you may wish to provide them bids on server, software and setup labor seperately - anything you prepare a written bid for needs to be enclusive in the specification of the bid expectations. In other words - spell out EXACTLY what you are doing for the money - otherwise you can get into trouble with the school and loose them as a customer, or end up giving away free labor.

[Antimatter]

Cheers Guys. That's what I needed. A different perspective always helps.

Just one more thing. If you had the choice within a set price, would you go for the dual processor board or RAID 1?

[TheoneDKS]

Raid array no question

[kannibul]

why raid 1?
why not raid 5...
it is worth the extra performance.

another tip is to not make a joe-shmo built machine as a server.
By a name that they can recognize as a server, like maybe a compaq ML- series
this way if it breaks, you get a hold of compaq, and they take care of it, not you...

another thing is to remember that they get an educational discount, so things like windows 2000 server, ISA Server, and Exchange server will be something like half off. www.insight.com
thing with ISA Server - the more RAM the better, as with Exchange, but putting them both on a machine is stupid.
the machine will be a DC (PDC emulator), the only server with active directory (so if it toasts the disk controller, your f*cked) and hosting web services, exchange services, ISA proxy services, DNS, and probably wins.
for 30 people, and that kind of setup, you would need at least a dual 800, 3gb ram, and at least 3x 9.1gb u160 in raid 5.
good luck getting that under $5000

[Antimatter]

Originally posted by kannibul:
why raid 1?
why not raid 5...
it is worth the extra performance.

When you're stuck trying to fit inside a price you have to give the best feasible option.

another tip is to not make a joe-shmo built machine as a server.
By a name that they can recognize as a server, like maybe a compaq ML- series
this way if it breaks, you get a hold of compaq, and they take care of it, not you...

I couldn't agree more. But as I say cost is a big factor. This has come to us third-hand
and it looks like they had some kind of idiot consultant who gave a ridiculous server specification(PIII 667, 256mb ram, 30Gb hdd and tape backup). It looks like the suggested sytem was not supposed to do any firewall activity at all(ADSL Router plugged straight into hub).

thing with ISA Server - the more RAM the better, as with Exchange, but putting them both on a machine is stupid.

We're trying to give a system spec. that will provide some kind of internet firewall and internal mail service. Any suggestions if not ISA and exchange? I've mostly dealt with NT Server, MS proxy server and exchange 5.5. Working on Win2k MCSE at the moment so it's all good experience. I'm tempted to give a quote for setting up a Compaq server but we'd probably price ourselves out of it.

[ShadowKing]

Actually for 30 users, a decent server class machine should do fine, though it would REALLY be nice to have another DC, even if it was substandard, just to keep a dynamic backup of AD. You could also offload some of the FSMO roles onto it...