Any tips for installing WIN SBS2k3 R2 on a new Server

[bracph]

Hi Guys,

I am about to start installation of Win SBS 2k3 R2 on a new server.. and before i start anything, I would like to make sure that there wont be anything that I may have overlooked and configure the Server improperly.

IF you guys can share the best practices from HD partitions to the OS setup, mail exchange, VPN, and other components are really appreciated.

I have a server with 2 Quad Core Xeon processor, 2 500GB HD, 2 Built in Lan cards, and about 4GB Ram.

Do i need to partition the HD? any advisable capacity per partition?

 

[gavm99]

Hi,

I think you will find everyone has their own view on a generic setup.

First off ensure you have any drivers you will need handy.

Personally I would go with the disks in RAID1 configuration or Mirrored if you don't have a RAID card. I would have 25GB as the OS partition and the rest as the Data partition. I would move the Exchange databases to the Data partition once installed. VPN - straight forward Routing and Remote access configuration as a Remote Access Server.

That is very breif I know but will hopefully point you in the right direction.

Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

 

[mofusjtf]

Is your server a white box or a brand name? If you have a Dell or HP you should use their provided server installation media that will guide you through the Setup of the server and include the drivers. If not, find the drivers from the motherboard manufacturer.

Like Gavin said, you will find everyone has their own 'best practices'.

I like to setup a 48 GB OS partition and the rest for data. Typically I use a RAID 5+1 for greater reduncancy and it helps exchange because (according to MS) exchange likes hard drives (or spindles as they said). I typically install all applications to C and put all data paths (user shared folders, client apps, exchnage, etc.) on the D partition. I think ideally you would setup a RAID1 for the OS and a RAID5 for data but that can be expensive especially if you use SAS drives.

I also hight recommend using the wizards on your to do list. SBS has very tight integration between the components and the wizards are the better way of configuring the server after the initial sBS install is completed.

It would also be a good idea to start your own checklist of your SBS install processes so you can have it as a reference point on your next install. You will find that you will learn knew configurations that you can incorporate into the isntall process.

Good luck.

 

[wahnula]

My shred of advice would be to avoid built-in SATA RAID controllers. Start with good add-in cards (3Ware, Areca, Adaptec), SATA is OK but SAS and SCSI are MUCH better. I've had nothing but problems with on-board SATA RAID controllers.

Here's a good Setup article that covers set-up of a typical SBS network. I followed it and everything worked out fine.

Tony

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