Server Issues

[underfunded]

Ok. This is gonna be long so please bear with me. Thanks.

Here's the deal. I took ove as the Network Administrator at this company a couple months ago. They are currently running a 30 comp peer-to-peer with a Win98se file server (I can't believe it is running). We are implementing a new software package that highly recommends MS Win NT or 2000. Here is my question: What am I going to be better off using? Win2k server with 30 CAL's, Win NT 4 with 30 cals, any other ideas? We are also currently running the MS mail service which is also less than adaquate. What should I use for our mail server? Exchange 2k standard? Should I go with MS Small Business Server? What are the advantages or disadvantages of the different options? Thanks alot...

P.S. The cost is a MAJOR factor because my boss is a major cheapskate and doesn't like to spend ANY money.

PPS. The network will NEVER grow larger than 45 Computers. all of wich are running Win98se. Thanks Again. Ian.

[jmlozan]

Win98 files server for 30 PCs...scary
First of all small business server is very buggy, not to mention expensive. Since the network will not grow to more than 45 PCs, NT 4.0 server and Exchange Server 5.5 will suffice; however, Win2k Server and Exchange 2000 are nice. Hope this helps.

[Greggio]

I can sympathise about the cost issue with you. We have been pushing to get exchange server for a long time here, but it just isn't happening. It would be nice to get the win2k, but that will cost you. We still NT 4.0 and probably will for some time. What we are going to do, which you may also want to do, is buy the licenses for win2k but use the NT 4.0 until you are ready to upgrade. The win2k licenses will cover your NT 4.0 workstations, and then you are ready to upgrade all you will need is a copy of the media. As for email, I hope you can get exchange, but it is a tough one to pull off. I am hoping that some day soon we will be able to get it, but I am not holding my breath. We are currently using SLMail. It is made by a company called Seattle Labs. Their website is www.seattlelabs.com. It is a regular Pop3 server, and the best part of all is that it is unlimited users. You pay the one price, and then add as many users as you want. You can also configure lists, and it is very easy to maintain. It does not offer all of the extras that exchange server has, but it is much, much cheaper and very reliable. Well, I hope this helped. Let me know if I can be of any more help to you. I know your pain about walking into a nightmare of a network.

Good Luck
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[3fingersalute]

Well if the boss wants cheap, set up a Linux Samba server....no cost whatsoever!!!....No actually, I know where you're coming from, with limited funds, our boss don't want to sink no money into ouyr own equipment either. We're still running almost all p5/233MMX machines and I can't even get him talked into a DSL line!!!

Can you buy Microsoft NFR products? That's how we mananged to get NT Server 4 is by buying the NFR copy!!....It's worth a shot, saves some money and keeps you legal!

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