setting up 2008 File server

[Pants]

I've got 2008 installed in a VM. Going to set up the file server just to do some experimenting.

Before I break into the setup tutorial, can someone tell me what the advantage is for using Windows Server File Server, instead of sharing files from a workstation?

Aside from the licensing, what advantage is there?

 

[nlinecomputers]

If is just a file server not much. A simple NAS unit will do you better. If you have great security needs then Active Directory can be used to restrict, monitor, and log access. Don't want the sales guys looking at the books. Also Volume Shadow Services is more robust on the server software and that lets you keep revisions of files so if someone accidently trashes a file you can restore a past version without having to retrieve it from the full backup. Also it is assumed that server software is installed on server hardware which is by design able to retrieve files faster then a simple workstation.

And most businesses have somekind of LOB application so your file server is often also really a DB server as well. If the client is big enough then you need a server performing each function or a big single unit running separate VMs for AD, File management and the Database.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

*Control of the network....users, workstations, deploying software, group policy, granular file permissions down to the gnats arse, scripts, batch files, print deployment, network management, ......

*Performance. Servers are tuned for back ground services and "server stuff". Desktops are not..they are tuned for foreground applications. Yes there's a "switch" that can adjust that...a little bit...

*Concurrent users in shares. Used to be 10, raised to 20 in Win7...but...say you have a network with more than 10 users that need file/folder/print shares from the "server".

*Of course server grade hardware....that's a whole 'nother story.

 

[Pants]

I'm not going to support the other roles in Windows Server, at least for a while. I wanna get use to providing the services that I know I can provide. There came a point the development of this business that I realized I was trying to spread my skill set out too much, so I'm holding off on that stuff. I've set up and used AD in 2003 in my house...got use to AD basics...ie DNS/DHCP setup, Group policy and security groups... but didn't use it enough to be comfortable touching a client's system.


Thx for the tips

 

[Pants]

*Concurrent users in shares. Used to be 10, raised to 20 in Win7...but...say you have a network with more than 10 users that need file/folder/print shares from the "server".

Does a single user connected to a file share and printer simultaneously count as one license used, or two?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Does a single user connected to a file share and printer simultaneously count as one license used, or two?

Technically it's 2x connections...when it comes to using resources of a desktop operating system.
For Windows Server...a single user CAL or device CAL would cover endless connections.

 

[Markverhyden]

The way I look at it is if the site needs network level services there other options. Printers with NIC's are cheap. So get a NIC equipped printer and use a NAS for file sharing. You can also get a WD4000DX. I believe they support up to 25 connections.