Da Booga

Hi,

Just in the process of getting some prices for a new server for our office. We've had a few quotes & they have varied wildly!

Can anyone give a rough price for a server spec that can do the following:

Up to 5 users
Basic word/excel file usage
2 other main programs, both run locally but pull data from server
MS Exchange to manage emails

Require UPS & basic 2 disk RAID configuration (think that's what it's called!)

How much for server + installation? All work stations & wiring is currently in place.

Ta.

BlkKnight

That's a bit vague.

Do you have the software & licenses in place?

Do you want a branded server with more redundancy than a RAID 0 setup?

Tape backup solution? (how much is your data worth?)

Is the UPS only powering the server + screen? - how long does it need to be "up" for in the event of a power failure.

How intensive are these little applications? Are they client/server or will everyone use the server direct to access them?

How much space do you need (both now & in 5 years) to allow for growth.

Da Booga

Bit more info then

The server will need all licences for SBS & Exchange

I assume Raid 0 is simply using the 2nd drive as an "on the fly" mirror of the main disk? If so that should be more than sufficient.

120Gb Will more than cover the storage requirement (inc. space for the OS etc.)

We will require a tape backup system.

The UPS will only really be required to shut the server down safely in the event of a power cut, not to keep it running. All PC's are in the same building so a power cut would turn these off too.

The programs aren't very server intensive & would only ever be used by 3 people at the same time in very rare cases, usually 1 person per program at once. Both programs are databases, one is ACT (a contact database) the other is a deal database (we are a finance company).

The need for space will only slightly increase in the future & the 120Gb will be more than enough.

HTH.

BlkKnight

I'm not going to go into prices as most people will be able to undercut me anyway! Just going to throw some recommendations to you.

Disks & redundancy - you really don't want to do for RAID0 alone. This offers no redundancy.
My personal preference is RAID 0+1 - this requires a minimum of 4 disks, is still pretty quick, but offers good redundancy.

Although a lot of companies go down the SBS route it's major draw back is that it is a single point of failure. And can often be a complete pig to get up and running again after a disaster. You are also unable easily to expand your server infrastructure with the SBS in place (it'll need to be wiped and reinstalled as a normal server).
- I'd look at running two servers. One with (and only with) Server & exchange. The other with your applications. Should one server fail, you should be able to continue to keep running. If (as part of your backup procedure) you copy data between the two servers, your applications (including exchange) can be reinstalled on the remaining server with minimum loss of time.

Tape backups can be VERY expensive - espcially if you are looking to do that volume of data. (we are taking a couple of grand at least).

David_Wallis

I can

Drop me a mail!

Da Booga

Now then mate, long time no speak

Will drop you an email shortly, what else do you want to know?

Cheers,

Gareth