New Server Recommendation

[SuffolkComputers]

Hi all, havent done a server install in a few years. Went to dells website to configure one for a client and realized I might be in over my head.

This client has a SBS 2003 running on a gigantic ancient $10k dell server. They need it to preform the following:

• Exchange
• File Server
• VPN access (just for files)
• DHCP
• DNS
• Active Directory

This is their primary computer for a small office of 5 users. They have a second server used for hosting account software.

I was thinking maybe a Dell PowerEdge T320 with :

• Xeon E5-2470
• 8GB UDIMM
• hard ware RAID1 2+2
• First RAID1 will have 2x 500GB SATA for OS
• Second RAID1 will have 2x 2TB for data
• server OS: SBS 2012
• backup: LT03-080 tape backup for offsite backups

Is this overkill? Does SBS2012 support VPN naively? Can I migrate the AD and Exchange services from 2003 to 2012? Currently the server is priced at 5,400...I told the client probably around 3k, haha...oops

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys throw me!

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Not overkill IMO.....
I'd go with 16 gigs of RAM
I hate hate hate SATA drives in a server.....especially in traditional SBS since SBS is typically having SQL and Exchange on there. The 10k SAS drives aren't much more...and give so much better performance and reliability.

However...since SBS is pretty much gone...notice that you'll have Server 2012 Essentials...and Exchange 'n stuff is now not local, but in the cloud with O365...your server is running less. So...for 5 clients....may be tolerable.

Tape? Ewwww. So...floppy drive era! Much cheaper in the long run to at least rotate in a batch of external USB drives like little WD Passports....or set them up on offsite backup. The cost of a tape drive...including media replaced on a yearly basis (because you're supposed to...)..plus cleaning tapes...you're typically at 2 grand for a tape drive and the first years worth of cartridges plus recurring yearly costs of a new box of cartridges.

 

[SuffolkComputers]

So I figured out myself this is probably overkill. Have configured a PowerEdge T320 with specs below:

Xeon E5-2407
8GB DDR3 dual ranked UDIMM
Server 2012 Essentials
Hardware Raid 1 for OS SATA Drives: (2x500GB) Raid1 for data (2x2TB)
powervault RD1000 for offsite backups

The above changes brought the price down to 2700, much more manageable. Question is, will it work?

Thanks!

 

[SuffolkComputers]

Hi Cat, thanks for the reply! I really respect all your posts regarding servers.

I posted the above without seeing your post, the client has a 6mb download, .25mb upload connection, with no chance of upgrading. I wanted to push O365 but I'm scared things will grind to a halt on that connection. The powervault RD1000 is a external SATA dock for backups, think i might nix that and go with your passport idea though.

Their current crappy server is handling all of the above and seems pretty snappy...besides throwing people off the network 3-4 times a day...ill take off the backup system and put SAS drives in the above config.

Thanks again!

Edit: taking away the backup system and adding 2x 300GB SAS for OS, 2x 2TB SAS for data dropped the price from 2700 to 2500