spectrum48k

We currently have a single Win2k Server on the LAN, generally used for 2 roles on the network:

1. domain controller, user login, DHCP, DNS
2. user storage for work related files eg. spreadsheets, docs, etc...

Q1. Is it worth getting Win2k3 Server as the OS or the new version?

Q2. If its within budget is it best to run the OS off 2no drives in RAID1 and run the user storage of another 2 drives in RAID1 ?

Q3. I suppose it would be best if these were hot swappable, although it's not imperative. Do you pay a big premium for hot swap ?

Q4. What's the best type of backup media these days ? Server will contain no more than 100GB of data.

ChrisB

Is the new server going to run alongside the existing server or replace it?

I'm not sure if you can still get 2003 R2 OEM. You might end up with 2008.

I would always look to have data on a seperate logical RAID drive from the OS. Then if your OS gets really buggered, you can kill the OS partition and be reasonably sure your data is safe. So 4 HDs in two RAID1 pairs is a good way to start.

A low cost entry level server wouldn't be hot swap for HDs, but I'd want it for 25 users.

We've standardised on Ultrium over our customer sites for backup but you could also considering disc-to-disc-to-offsite hardware/services (eg SonicWall CDP Appliances).

spectrum48k

thanks Chris