Server consolidation: WINS/DHCP/IIS/SUS/AV

[SF18C]

Server consolidation: WINS/DHCP/IIS/SUS/AV

When I got this job of network manager I noticed a few problems, one of the biggest being that we have about 7 workstations with NT4 or W2K server loaded and being used for “network infrastructure” type services. One is a WINS box (NT4), 2 are DHCP servers (W2K), 1 Norton Antivirus server (NT4), and a few internal web servers (NT4). Well I complained that this was kind of a Mickey-Mouse set up and that these services needed to be on a proper server, low and behold management shows up with a “brand new” server. It is a HP with dual 750MHz processors; gig of RAM and 3 each 36GIG SCSI HDD. Now if they had asked me first I might have requested something a bit different, but in this place you take what you can get. And since I bitched the most, I get to make it happen.

My current train of though is WINS and DHCP on separate drives, adding IIS5.0 (same drive as the OS) to consolidate the internal web pages and also allowing me to load and use System Update Server. Then finally throwing Norton on as a last item if there is space and speed.

Drive C: WIN2KServer/IIS/SUS
Drive D: WINS/Most of the Webpage’s
Drive E: DHCP/NortonAV

So here are my questions:
1. What would be the best setup on this server with all the services I’m currently running on workstations?
2. Do you think that this server will be over taxed? I have about 3000 users in a (STILL) NT4 domain, most WKST are 2KPro, and the web sites have very limited access (all together maybe only 200 people have access to any/all sites)
3. Has anyone got comments (good or bad) on SUS as far as system intensity?
4. This server will have gig fiber network card straight into the communities distribution layer switch, so I’m not to terribly troubled about network connectivity, but am I being to over confident in this?

I think that most of these services are low end in processor and memory with a bit of read-write time from the drives. If I can combine all these into one box it will make back ups and maintenance easier, and once I hook’em on ONE server in a few months I will start to cry about needing a back up to that one for redundancy!

I am not really a server admin type, more of a switching/routing person, but I have “dabbled” in to the MS foray so I think I’m on track but be gentle if I sounded like a complete boob.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestion or advice?!?!?!?



SF18C
CCNA, MCSE, A+, N+ & HPCC

"Tis better to die on your feet than live on your knees!"

 

[mattjurado]

That server is definitely going to be busy... 3000 users... One server... Good luck.

The server may have a kick a$$ network interface, but what about your workstations and hubs? They're going to bottleneck it big time. If you're talking 3000 machines, your bandwidth is going in the toilet. How is your segmenting setup? You really need multiple servers for that many users. I mean, you can run all those services for 30 users, 100 maybe, but 3000? With an organization of that size, you need someone to administer and backup full time, its not going to be easy.

Matt

 

[tcambridge]

Are you limited to just that one server? If not, I would reuse some of the other servers and split your server roles into three like you have them on the drives, with some modifications:

Server 1: DHCP/WINS
Server 2: IIS/Webpages
Server 3: NAV/SUS

You didn't mention anything about your domain controllers and DNS servers. Are they going to be a part of this migration or are they on different servers altogether?

Also, I would look at using the older servers as backups and purchasing additional drives for the new server for contingencies.

Good Luck!

Tim
Certified AND Qualified

 

[SF18C]

Tcambridge thanks for info.

That is what we fianlly ended up doing after a bit of ASKING for more equipment. By the way the WINS/DHCP server is runnig great and the NAV/SUS is doing well also. I still need to push reg hacks to point all the clients to that for NAV and Win Updates!!!

Again Thanks

SF18C
CCNA, MCSE, A+, N+ & HPCC

"Tis better to die on your feet than live on your knees!"