Implementation

[shannonlapekas]

I am replacing most of the hardware and software in my company. We are a smaller business with about 40 employees. I am trying to determine if my plan for the new infrastructure will work properly. I currently have 4 servers (Mail, File Sharing, Web, Application). I would like to combine the Mail and File Sharing servers and use Microsoft Small Business Server. The other 2 servers would be running Microsoft 2000 Server. I will be replacing the 30 Winterms with 30 Desktops. I am looking at Dell Optiplex GX260 which are network managed desktops. I would like to run Windows XP Professional on the desktops. The applications that these machines will need to run is Great Plains Dynamics 6.0, Goldmine 5.0, Office 2000 Professional, and Terminal Services Clients. Does anyone have any comments on this setup?

 

[Blutch]

Doesn't look to bad. You are talking SBS 2000 ??

Hardware doesn't look bad either.

Are you planning to implement Active Directory?

Blutch

If it isn't broken, don't fix it

 

[stephenphillips]

shannonlapekas,

The setup looks good to me. Here a few things that you may want to consider if you have not already thought about them:

Database?
Depending on how much activity you have in Great Plains, the database may need its own server. Are you going to use Pervasive.SQL or SQL Server with Great Plains? Setting up Great Plains can be difficult, and you might consider getting some training or finding a consultant to help you install it initially.

Domain Controller
Which server is going to be your domain controller? I think I would make your mail and file server the domain controller.

Terminal Services
Also, do you really need terminal services? If you are buying new desktops, I would think they would have the power to run the applications locally. If you are wanting to keep the applications on one box for administrative purposes, you could consider deploying the applications to the desktops through active directory or using Microsoft's SMS server.

Stephen Philllips

http://www.mis-inc.net

 

[shannonlapekas]

Active Directory

I do plan on implementing Active directory on our server.

Great Plains

I am running Pervasive SQL for my database application. So far we are not in need of a separate server to run the database on. We have been running Great Plains for about 2 years. I am pretty comfortable with setting it up.

Terminal Services

I hadn't thought about running SMS server. It would be a pretty cost effective way to keep control over the applications we are running without having the annoyance of having to run the application using Terminal Services. Which server would you run that on?

Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[stephenphillips]

I am by far not an expert, but I think I would put the SMS server on the domain controller. It seems like it just fits there to me. The domain controller takes charge of security and management, and the SMS would just add an additional tool to that server. Although, I really don't have any experience with SMS right now.

Stephen

http://www.mis-inc.net

 

[Blutch]

Just one remark left!

Remember that with SBS you can only have ONE domain controller. So to fault tolerance,...???

Blutch