Server configuration question.

[Ruairi]

I am getting ready to do the first install of a client server db program. I just got the packing list for their server and had a few questions about how to instruct the IT department to cofigure the server. Here is the important info about the server:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOFTWARE:
DB: SQL Server 2000 (Not yet installed)
OS: Windows 2000 server, 5 client access liscenses, 4GB partition
HARDWARE:
Dell Poweredge 1400SC, 933MHz/133 256K Cache, P3
256MB RAM, DIMM, 133MHz,
HardDrive, 18Gb, 10K, 68P
PERC2-Dual Channel 64Mb, 1400, 1 Internal/1 External Channel
Intel Pro 100 Plus NIC
HardDrive 18G, 10K, 68P
HardDrive 18G, 10K, 68P

As you can see the system has 3 18Gb harddrives and a RAID controller. My main question is about the RAID setup. From the reading i have done on the subject i think that i want to implement RAID 5 on this system. Is this something their IT people can easily select? how would i tell them to set this up? Is it pretty much pre-set at the factory? as you can see i am very new to this area of server setup/RAID considerations. Is there any other server setup stuff that i can do now to make life easier on me? Thank you in advance for any help or pointers. Ruairi

Could your manufacturing facility benefit from real time process monitoring? Would you like your employees to be able to see up to the minute goal and actual production?
For innovative, low cost solutions check out my website.

http://www.plccontroltechnologies.com

 

[fluteplr]

Dells usualy come with a raid setup utility that will allow you to set the raid level you want. Their techs are also pretty good and will walk you thought this if needed. You need to do the raid setup before you do anything else on the server as it usually will wipe all the other data.

 

[Ruairi]

fluteplr,
Thanks for the response. As i said i've never dealt with this kind of setup before. If i was going to do it myself i'm sure i could figure it out, but the client in this case is a large corporation with their own IT people who will be doing the physical setup of the server. I want to make sure that we get the RAID setup done right the first time. Will it be enough for me to tell them to create me 2 RAID5 volumes for the data (one for the log and one for the database) or will they need more info than that? Will the 3 physical harddrives be enough for this type of setup? How does the OS partition fit in, is that kept seperate from the RAID volumes used for data? TIA for any further assistance.
Ruairi

Could your manufacturing facility benefit from real time process monitoring? Would you like your employees to be able to see up to the minute goal and actual production?
For innovative, low cost solutions check out my website.

http://www.plccontroltechnologies.com