Server guidance...

My office is replacing the current server. Currently there is a linksys that is actually controlling the IP assigning, and doing poorly at it. There are constantly IP Conflicts on the network. There are about 30 computers that will be saving files to the server and accessing from the server. Multiple monitors throughout the office access the server for photo slide-shows.


I am unsure on the type of processing and ram requirements and various other details that this server will require.

What we desire:
-The server controls IP Assigning (30 computers)
-all internet will be handled by server
-Accounts for accessing file space
-Will be hosting quickbooks, virus definition updating, and file hosting for everyone to access.
-Space for backing up changed data nightly.

Go get a Dell Business server, get one that has Windows Server 2003 - Small Business Server as the OS. Make sure you specify 30 (more if you want room for expansion.)

This will give you (up to 50 licenses) MS server (which has a DHCP server you can configure, Active Directory, and Microsoft Exchange for email. Perfect for businesses under 50 employees.

Thanks for the reply. I am also interested in hardware details so I have the ability to look around a bit more.

I made an attempt to talk to dell representatives before coming to these forums and they just wanted to pass me around like a Frisbee and take down every bit of office and my own info that had nothing to do with the type of server we'd need, just to do with emailing offers and mailing offers annnd etc. When all I wanted was an answer to ONE question... that's why I reverted to forums.

I'm with AdamPI, get a Dell. Visit www.dell.com and review their servers in the small business section, I'm sure you can find one that will suit your needs. It doesn't sound like you need a lot of horsepower, you'll probably want to spend more time thinking about your storage architecture and backup strategy.

Yeah, don't deal with the reps there until you know what you want to buy. The way I used to do it is go and spec out the server I wanted to buy, save it, email it to my rep and say "Let us know on final pricing (in case of special discounts) and we'll get you a PO number."

If you want, spec out a system, post it back here and we'd be happy to let you know if it's OK and any tweaks or thoughts on it. Also post a FULL list of all functions with the specs so we can get a full picture.

my advice would be to split the roles onto two servers.
Leave the ADS, DHCP and file sharing to one server (this server doesnt need to be as powerful)

Throw the Applications to another server .. this one will require alot of Ram and CPU power....

If your going with the windows ADS structure for your network, these machines need at least Dual Pwntium 4's and 4+GB ram.

Depending on what your file server needs for storage room is up to you... you might get buy with a few 72Gig HArdrives, with Raid.. But if your doing photography ... might want to buy a storage array (NAS) and get 1 terrabyte +...

I recommend running FreeBSD on your servers, and Using Samba for your file server...

With unix, you dont have the overhead of licensing.
Unix is more stable, (no rebooting one a week) and doesnt use much for resources (i think our freebsd fileserver right now idles on <100MBs ram...
Its up to you.. if your admin is good with Unix, id go that route.. otherwise ADS will get the work done.

Happy hunting

For 30 computers though? No, you really don't need to have them split up. DHCP will run pretty infrequently as well as most of any AD requests.

*nix is great but requires a solid knowledge on using it. Same can be said for Windows, but it all comes down to doing what you know. There's some serious advantage for going with the Win Server 2k3 SMB Server because of all the features you get for a reasonable price.

Bottom line, do your research and get what you're comfortable with.