NT Server 4.0 Configuration

[CampbellD]

Hi All,

I have a Server running in my organisation that i would like to reconfigure to be more efficient (don't we all)

Firstly i have a PIII 500, 256MB RAM, RAID 5, SCSI Drives which is running currently as a PDC, File and Print, Exchange 5.5, SQL 7, ORacle 8i.

I am getting the feeling that i need to move some of these to new servers.

My Plan is to move Exchange to a new Box, and also move Oracle and SQL to a new box also, thus leaving the PDC and File Print services on this box.

Does anyone have any ideas for specs for the new boxes??

One for Exchange 5.5 and the other as a Database Server with Oracle 8i and SQL 7.

Cheers
Damon

[SubZero]

I would recommend no less than 384MB RAM in each of the new servers, if possible, 1/2GB (512MB). Get RAID's if possible. On your exchange, how many users do you support?

[CampbellD]

Hi There,

I have about 120 users on Exchange, as many on SQL and about 40 on Oracle.

Cheers

[SubZero]

On the exchange we have here, we have about the same number of users, and we have 384MB Ram, and a 12 GB Raid. Our private info store is running at 1/2GB! Our problem is that this server does it all, except the Intranet site (Hosted on an IBM xSeries 220). I'm looking at a split to 3 or 4 xSeries Servers. All of the ones I look at are at least PIII-800Mhz, and some are dual processor capable. You might want to consider dual processors for a database server.

The split that I'm considering(keep in mind these are currently running on the PDC, not the xSeries 220, the BDC):
Exchange/Proxy Server - PDC
File/Print Server - BDC
RAS Server - BDC
Intranet Server - BDC - Implemented 2001, xSeries 220
AS/400 - Does it's own thing!

I'm not an IBM rep, I've just had good luck with IBM machines, not to mention, I'm an AS/400 admin. You could look at Compaq or Dell for similar setups.

Here is the Vitals for the xSeries 220 above:

Model: 8645-42X xSeries 220
Processor: Pent III-933 (1 std/2 max)
Memory: 128MB Std/4096MB Max - I have 256 in the box.
Disk: 18.2GB SCSI (extra disk 00N8205 $399US 18.2GB - 00N8206 $659US 36.4GB)

[condor]

Originally posted by CampbellD:
Hi All,

I have a Server running in my organisation that i would like to reconfigure to be more efficient (don't we all)

Firstly i have a PIII 500, 256MB RAM, RAID 5, SCSI Drives which is running currently as a PDC, File and Print, Exchange 5.5, SQL 7, ORacle 8i.

I am getting the feeling that i need to move some of these to new servers.

My Plan is to move Exchange to a new Box, and also move Oracle and SQL to a new box also, thus leaving the PDC and File Print services on this box.

Does anyone have any ideas for specs for the new boxes??

One for Exchange 5.5 and the other as a Database Server with Oracle 8i and SQL 7.

Cheers
Damon

Okay.. first things first..

you can install a PDC and two BDCs on "client" computers .. (saves money and works just as well, unless you have more than 2000 users): here's a nice config:
any P-III with 128MB RAM, 2x 6GB HDDs (RAID1)-winnt 4 server (sp6a), 100Mbit NIC (preferably Intel)

you can also make the BDCs Wins and DNS..

Same goes for Print server - only make sure it has a lot of RAM (512MB) and Disk space (20GB - no need to RAID)

as for Exchange your current server will do - two tips : get more RAM (512), format the log partition to FAT (much better for improving speed)

as for the databases :
get a good server :
Dual Xeon 866
1 GB RAM
2x10GB Ultra160SCSI RAID 1 (WinNT)
5x30GB Ultra160SCSI RAID 5 (database)

Get at least Two NICs on it and configure in the switch a 400MBit (200Mbit full duplex) connection for that.

that should prove very good solution for a small to medium scale network.

In the case of the "client" Pcs use any maker (just use good hardware)

in the case of the server : Compaq is the best (my opinion, and I work for IBM )