Guest KenM Posted November 21, 2007 Posted November 21, 2007 I'm replacing a Dell poweredge sc420 that I have used for a server for the past year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience with servers, the SC420 was my first attempt at running SBS2003. I want to make sure that I'm purchasing something that will give me much better performance as well as reliability. My old machine has 2 80gb sata drives on a raid 1. Here is a description of the new machine. It's a poweredge 2900 with a Quad Core Xeon Processor E53352x4MB Cache, 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, I chose 4GB 667MHz (4X1GB), Dual Ranked Fully Buffered DIMMs vs 8x512. I don't know if I was better off with the single ranked 512 or the dual ranked 1gb. I chose a Integrated SAS/SATA RAID 5 PERC 5/i Integrated. I got 3 - 73GB 15K RPM Serial-Attach SCSI 3Gbps 3.5-in HotPlug HardDrives. I will be running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 with SP2 Standard Edition. For a NIC I got Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II5708 GigabitEthernet NIC. I had them put a cd-rw/dvd drive in it. Also getting Redundant Power Supply with Dual Cords for PowerEdge 2900. For backup I will be getting RD1000, Ext USB Drive with bundled SW, and 3- Removable Hard Disk Cartridge for RD1000, 80GB Native/ 160GB Comp. Also purchased Symantec Backup Exec v11d Small Business Server Suite. Now is this a good setup? My network consists of 4 client computers running XP pro, and 3 network printers. All clients access the internet. We also connect to our computers from home using remote access. I plan on adding 2 more clients eventually, but won't ever really need much more. We run Quickbooks in multiuser environment, UPS Worldship, and we use Outlook Office for shared contact list, calendar, etc. Will this be much faster than my old machine which was a Pentium 4. Also, Dell sets the entire thing up on one partition. In the past I had reconfigured (reinstalled) everything to put operating system on C: partition, Data for exchange & fax & other shared files on D: partition, and other program files like outlook, and client apps on e: partition. I know nothing about how raid 5 works. I just finally figured out raid 1. should I leave it the way it comes for now, or would I be better off starting over when I get it and reinstalling? Will it work the same as raid 1? In the past I created array ( build/clear it), then I install sbs, created partitions and then completed install with the above partitions. Also, NIC. Do I want 1 or 2. I'm real confused about the way to go with this. I've been reading the community a lot and I get mixed things. And am I going to have problems with the NIC installed in that computer. Any advise is appreciated. Thanks, Ken
Guest Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] Posted November 21, 2007 Posted November 21, 2007 Re: Server Upgrade KenM <KenM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > I'm replacing a Dell poweredge sc420 that I have used for a server > for the past year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience with > servers, the SC420 was my first attempt at running SBS2003. I suggest you post SBS questions in microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs.... I'm setting up my reply as a crosspost there. Since your network is so small, you may just wish to do a parallel setup/install - but if you wish to keep your AD intact, see http://www.sbsmigration.com. None of the following issues/questions/comments will make any difference where that's concerned. > I want > to make sure that I'm purchasing something that will give me much > better performance as well as reliability. My old machine has 2 80gb > sata drives on a raid 1. Here is a description of the new machine. > It's a poweredge 2900 I've had great luck with those. > with a Quad Core Xeon Processor E53352x4MB > Cache, > 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, I chose 4GB 667MHz (4X1GB), Dual Ranked Fully > Buffered DIMMs vs 8x512. I don't know if I was better off with the > single ranked 512 or the dual ranked 1gb. I'm sure there are good reasons to go with one rather than the other (outside of available slots) but I'm not a serious hardware wonk and have never really noticed/minded either. Note that SBS2003 won't be able to take advantage of 4GB RAM, tho - you'll see about 3.25GB reported. Still fine. Do not use the /3GB switch in your boot.ini as you would on a regular Windows server. > I chose a Integrated > SAS/SATA RAID 5 PERC 5/i Integrated. I got 3 - 73GB 15K RPM > Serial-Attach SCSI 3Gbps 3.5-in HotPlug HardDrives. That's a fine controller & drives, - but in a RAID5 you'll only get 146GB out of that. I'd get more drives now and include them rather than have to deal with this later. I'd personally get 6 total, and use one as a hotspare. You will never have less data than you do now, honest. Adding them in later will not be much fun. > I will be > running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 with SP2 Standard > Edition. For a NIC I got Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II5708 > GigabitEthernet NIC. I had them put a cd-rw/dvd drive in it. Also > getting Redundant Power Supply with Dual Cords for PowerEdge 2900. > For backup I will be getting RD1000, Ext USB Drive with bundled SW, > and 3- Removable Hard Disk Cartridge for RD1000, 80GB Native/ 160GB > Comp. The server itself sounds fine. The backup medium might be OK if you don't have that much data - but I'd have 5 and do a full backup nightly > Also purchased Symantec Backup Exec v11d Small Business Server > Suite. You don't actually need that, but that's fine. Just don't do mailbox/brick-level backups of Exchange data - just back up the info store. > > Now is this a good setup? My network consists of 4 client computers > running XP pro, and 3 network printers. All clients access the > internet. We also connect to our computers from home using remote > access. I plan on adding 2 more clients eventually, but won't ever > really need much more. We run Quickbooks in multiuser environment, If you're using Qbooks 2007/2008, I personally don't like running the Quickbooks 'server' component on my sole domain controller/Exchange server, but you may have no choice if you need multiuser access. > UPS Worldship, That's locally installed on workstations, one presumes. > and we use Outlook Office for shared contact list > calendar, etc. You mean Exchange, I think. > Will this be much faster than my old machine which > was a Pentium 4. Yes, should be. > > Also, Dell sets the entire thing up on one partition. Dell dos a lot of things (sigh) In the past I > had reconfigured (reinstalled) everything to put operating system on > C: partition, Data for exchange & fax & other shared files on D: > partition, and other program files like outlook, and client apps on > e: partition. I That's good. > know nothing about how raid 5 works. I just finally > figured out raid 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID should help. RAID5 is fine for a small office server - it's slow on writes, but you've got good fast drives and this should be sufficient for your SBS box. RAID1+0 is my fave but it's "expensive" as you waste half your disks. should I leave it the way it comes for now, or > would I be better off starting over when I get it and reinstalling? I always suggest reinstalling any pre-installed server you get, from scratch. you can use the Dell setup assistant to make it easier from a driver install standpoint. I'd do a 20/30GB partition for the system volume, one for SQL/Exchange (you'll need to figure out the size - I do 100GB) and the rest for user data. When you get to the SBS setup component, put clientapps, users shared folders on the appropriate volume - Exchange/SQL/MSDE on the appropriate volume. > Will it work the same as raid 1? Well, the OS won't know any different. > In the past I created array ( > build/clear it), then I install sbs, created partitions and then > completed install with the above partitions. Sure. > > Also, NIC. Do I want 1 or 2. I'm real confused about the way to go > with this. I've been reading the community a lot and I get mixed > things. And am I going to have problems with the NIC installed in > that computer. I'm not a fan of Broadcom nics - I'd go for a single Intel Pro. Note that if you are not going to be using Premium with ISA you don't need two - and I don't recommend two. A single NIC with a good firewall appliance (not just a cheap NAT box or your ISP's modem/router combo) is better and easier to use/troubleshoot, in my book. > > Any advise is appreciated. HTH. As mentioned, future SBS questions should really go in microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs. I suggest you try using a news client, such as Forte Agent, Thunderbird, or even Outlook Express, rather than the clunky web interface to the newsgroups. It's a lot easier to do nearly everything that way. You can mark messages to be watched, filter the views so you can see replies to your posts easily, and search. The Microsoft public news server is msnews.microsoft.com and you can subscribe to as many groups as you like; no authentication is required. The following is from a post by MVP Malke ... ------------------------------------------------------- Here's information on Usenet and using a newsreader: http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page3.html#12-09-02 - a brief explanation of newsgroups http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlo...ssnewreader.htm http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...wto/default.asp - Set Up Newsreader http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html http://aumha.org/nntp.htm - list of MS newsgroups microsoft.public.test.here - MS group to test if your newsreader is working properly http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm - how to munge email address http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm - multiposting vs. crossposting Some newsreaders for Windows http://www.forteinc.com/agent/index.php - for Forte http://www.mozilla.org (Thunderbird does newsgroups) http://gravity.tbates.org/ ------------------------------------- > > Thanks, Ken
Guest Jabez Gan [MVP] Posted November 21, 2007 Posted November 21, 2007 Re: Server Upgrade Reply inline. -- Jabez Gan Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - File Storage "KenM" <KenM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:656ED310-669E-489E-BF7A-9D4F8172A339@microsoft.com... > I'm replacing a Dell poweredge sc420 that I have used for a server for the > past year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience with servers, the > SC420 was my first attempt at running SBS2003. I want to make sure that > I'm > purchasing something that will give me much better performance as well as > reliability. My old machine has 2 80gb sata drives on a raid 1. Here is > a > description of the new machine. > It's a poweredge 2900 with a Quad Core Xeon Processor E53352x4MB Cache, > 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, I chose 4GB 667MHz (4X1GB), Dual Ranked Fully > Buffered > DIMMs vs 8x512. I don't know if I was better off with the single ranked > 512 > or the dual ranked 1gb. Depending on what u going to do with the server, but dual rankedd 1GB offers better performance. I chose a Integrated SAS/SATA RAID 5 PERC 5/i > Integrated. I got 3 - 73GB 15K RPM Serial-Attach SCSI 3Gbps 3.5-in > HotPlug > HardDrives. I will be running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 > with > SP2 Standard Edition. For a NIC I got Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II5708 > GigabitEthernet NIC. I had them put a cd-rw/dvd drive in it. Also > getting > Redundant Power Supply with Dual Cords for PowerEdge 2900. > For backup I will be getting RD1000, Ext USB Drive with bundled SW, and 3- > Removable Hard Disk Cartridge for RD1000, 80GB Native/ 160GB Comp. Also > purchased Symantec Backup Exec v11d Small Business Server Suite. > > Now is this a good setup? My network consists of 4 client computers > running > XP pro, and 3 network printers. For 4 clients, the specs is too good, but it's harmless ;) All clients access the internet. We also > connect to our computers from home using remote access. I plan on adding > 2 > more clients eventually, but won't ever really need much more. We run > Quickbooks in multiuser environment, UPS Worldship, and we use Outlook > Office > for shared contact list, calendar, etc. Will this be much faster than my > old machine which was a Pentium 4. Yes > > Also, Dell sets the entire thing up on one partition. Reconfigure into 2 or 3 partitions. System partition, you can allocate 40GB. Install and configure to use Data on D or E partition. C partition use RAID1. Data partition (D or E) use RAID 5. In the past I had > reconfigured (reinstalled) everything to put operating system on C: > partition, Data for exchange & fax & other shared files on D: partition, > and > other program files like outlook, and client apps on e: partition. I know > nothing about how raid 5 works. I just finally figured out raid 1. > should I > leave it the way it comes for now, or would I be better off starting over > when I get it and reinstalling? Will it work the same as raid 1? In the > past I created array ( build/clear it), then I install sbs, created > partitions and then completed install with the above partitions. > > Also, NIC. Do I want 1 or 2. I'm real confused about the way to go with > this. I've been reading the community a lot and I get mixed things. And > am > I going to have problems with the NIC installed in that computer. Get 2 for better performance in the future. If you only need one currently, have the other one disabled in Windows. > > Any advise is appreciated. > > Thanks, Ken
Guest KenM Posted November 22, 2007 Posted November 22, 2007 Re: Server Upgrade Hi, thanks or all your comments. If you could, help me with the following comment you made: Reconfigure into 2 or 3 partitions. System partition, you can allocate 40GB. Install and configure to use Data on D or E partition. C partition use RAID1. Data partition (D or E) use RAID 5. When you say reconfigure, do you mean a hardware change, or will it be possible for me to have more than one array with what I have? With my old system (which was only raid 1), when I created the array, it used the entire hard disk for the array. I don't think I ever had any option to only use part of it. Will the Raid 5 setup that I am getting allow me to do that? When I created my old array, then I would just create the partitions in disk management. Thanks again! Ken "Jabez Gan [MVP]" wrote: > Reply inline. > > -- > Jabez Gan > Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - File Storage > "KenM" <KenM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:656ED310-669E-489E-BF7A-9D4F8172A339@microsoft.com... > > I'm replacing a Dell poweredge sc420 that I have used for a server for the > > past year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience with servers, the > > SC420 was my first attempt at running SBS2003. I want to make sure that > > I'm > > purchasing something that will give me much better performance as well as > > reliability. My old machine has 2 80gb sata drives on a raid 1. Here is > > a > > description of the new machine. > > It's a poweredge 2900 with a Quad Core Xeon Processor E53352x4MB Cache, > > 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, I chose 4GB 667MHz (4X1GB), Dual Ranked Fully > > Buffered > > DIMMs vs 8x512. I don't know if I was better off with the single ranked > > 512 > > or the dual ranked 1gb. > > Depending on what u going to do with the server, but dual rankedd 1GB offers > better performance. > > I chose a Integrated SAS/SATA RAID 5 PERC 5/i > > Integrated. I got 3 - 73GB 15K RPM Serial-Attach SCSI 3Gbps 3.5-in > > HotPlug > > HardDrives. I will be running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 > > with > > SP2 Standard Edition. For a NIC I got Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II5708 > > GigabitEthernet NIC. I had them put a cd-rw/dvd drive in it. Also > > getting > > Redundant Power Supply with Dual Cords for PowerEdge 2900. > > For backup I will be getting RD1000, Ext USB Drive with bundled SW, and 3- > > Removable Hard Disk Cartridge for RD1000, 80GB Native/ 160GB Comp. Also > > purchased Symantec Backup Exec v11d Small Business Server Suite. > > > > Now is this a good setup? My network consists of 4 client computers > > running > > XP pro, and 3 network printers. > > For 4 clients, the specs is too good, but it's harmless ;) > > All clients access the internet. We also > > connect to our computers from home using remote access. I plan on adding > > 2 > > more clients eventually, but won't ever really need much more. We run > > Quickbooks in multiuser environment, UPS Worldship, and we use Outlook > > Office > > for shared contact list, calendar, etc. Will this be much faster than my > > old machine which was a Pentium 4. > > Yes > > > > > Also, Dell sets the entire thing up on one partition. > > Reconfigure into 2 or 3 partitions. System partition, you can allocate 40GB. > Install and configure to use Data on D or E partition. > > C partition use RAID1. Data partition (D or E) use RAID 5. > > In the past I had > > reconfigured (reinstalled) everything to put operating system on C: > > partition, Data for exchange & fax & other shared files on D: partition, > > and > > other program files like outlook, and client apps on e: partition. I know > > nothing about how raid 5 works. I just finally figured out raid 1. > > should I > > leave it the way it comes for now, or would I be better off starting over > > when I get it and reinstalling? Will it work the same as raid 1? In the > > past I created array ( build/clear it), then I install sbs, created > > partitions and then completed install with the above partitions. > > > > Also, NIC. Do I want 1 or 2. I'm real confused about the way to go with > > this. I've been reading the community a lot and I get mixed things. And > > am > > I going to have problems with the NIC installed in that computer. > > Get 2 for better performance in the future. If you only need one currently, > have the other one disabled in Windows. > > > > > Any advise is appreciated. > > > > Thanks, Ken > >
Guest Jabez Gan [MVP] Posted November 22, 2007 Posted November 22, 2007 Re: Server Upgrade Hey Ken, Allocate 2 hard disks for the C partition (and create a RAID1) and allocate 3 other hard disks and create a D partition with RAID5. ;) -- Jabez Gan Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - File Storage "KenM" <KenM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:C10D45D5-BE99-419F-BACD-96C13D36EBB2@microsoft.com... > Hi, thanks or all your comments. If you could, help me with the following > comment you made: > Reconfigure into 2 or 3 partitions. System partition, you can allocate > 40GB. > Install and configure to use Data on D or E partition. > > C partition use RAID1. Data partition (D or E) use RAID 5. > > When you say reconfigure, do you mean a hardware change, or will it be > possible for me to have more than one array with what I have? With my > old > system (which was only raid 1), when I created the array, it used the > entire > hard disk for the array. I don't think I ever had any option to only use > part of it. Will the Raid 5 setup that I am getting allow me to do that? > When I created my old array, then I would just create the partitions in > disk > management. > > Thanks again! Ken > > > "Jabez Gan [MVP]" wrote: > >> Reply inline. >> >> -- >> Jabez Gan >> Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - File Storage >> "KenM" <KenM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:656ED310-669E-489E-BF7A-9D4F8172A339@microsoft.com... >> > I'm replacing a Dell poweredge sc420 that I have used for a server for >> > the >> > past year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience with servers, >> > the >> > SC420 was my first attempt at running SBS2003. I want to make sure >> > that >> > I'm >> > purchasing something that will give me much better performance as well >> > as >> > reliability. My old machine has 2 80gb sata drives on a raid 1. Here >> > is >> > a >> > description of the new machine. >> > It's a poweredge 2900 with a Quad Core Xeon Processor E53352x4MB Cache, >> > 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, I chose 4GB 667MHz (4X1GB), Dual Ranked Fully >> > Buffered >> > DIMMs vs 8x512. I don't know if I was better off with the single >> > ranked >> > 512 >> > or the dual ranked 1gb. >> >> Depending on what u going to do with the server, but dual rankedd 1GB >> offers >> better performance. >> >> I chose a Integrated SAS/SATA RAID 5 PERC 5/i >> > Integrated. I got 3 - 73GB 15K RPM Serial-Attach SCSI 3Gbps 3.5-in >> > HotPlug >> > HardDrives. I will be running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 >> > with >> > SP2 Standard Edition. For a NIC I got Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme >> > II5708 >> > GigabitEthernet NIC. I had them put a cd-rw/dvd drive in it. Also >> > getting >> > Redundant Power Supply with Dual Cords for PowerEdge 2900. >> > For backup I will be getting RD1000, Ext USB Drive with bundled SW, and >> > 3- >> > Removable Hard Disk Cartridge for RD1000, 80GB Native/ 160GB Comp. >> > Also >> > purchased Symantec Backup Exec v11d Small Business Server Suite. >> > >> > Now is this a good setup? My network consists of 4 client computers >> > running >> > XP pro, and 3 network printers. >> >> For 4 clients, the specs is too good, but it's harmless ;) >> >> All clients access the internet. We also >> > connect to our computers from home using remote access. I plan on >> > adding >> > 2 >> > more clients eventually, but won't ever really need much more. We run >> > Quickbooks in multiuser environment, UPS Worldship, and we use Outlook >> > Office >> > for shared contact list, calendar, etc. Will this be much faster than >> > my >> > old machine which was a Pentium 4. >> >> Yes >> >> > >> > Also, Dell sets the entire thing up on one partition. >> >> Reconfigure into 2 or 3 partitions. System partition, you can allocate >> 40GB. >> Install and configure to use Data on D or E partition. >> >> C partition use RAID1. Data partition (D or E) use RAID 5. >> >> In the past I had >> > reconfigured (reinstalled) everything to put operating system on C: >> > partition, Data for exchange & fax & other shared files on D: >> > partition, >> > and >> > other program files like outlook, and client apps on e: partition. I >> > know >> > nothing about how raid 5 works. I just finally figured out raid 1. >> > should I >> > leave it the way it comes for now, or would I be better off starting >> > over >> > when I get it and reinstalling? Will it work the same as raid 1? In >> > the >> > past I created array ( build/clear it), then I install sbs, created >> > partitions and then completed install with the above partitions. >> > >> > Also, NIC. Do I want 1 or 2. I'm real confused about the way to go >> > with >> > this. I've been reading the community a lot and I get mixed things. >> > And >> > am >> > I going to have problems with the NIC installed in that computer. >> >> Get 2 for better performance in the future. If you only need one >> currently, >> have the other one disabled in Windows. >> >> > >> > Any advise is appreciated. >> > >> > Thanks, Ken >> >>
Guest Hank Arnold (MVP) Posted November 23, 2007 Posted November 23, 2007 Re: Server Upgrade Comments in-line -- Regards, Hank Arnold Microsoft MVP Windows Server - Directory Services KenM wrote: > I'm replacing a Dell poweredge sc420 that I have used for a server for the > past year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience with servers, the > SC420 was my first attempt at running SBS2003. I want to make sure that I'm > purchasing something that will give me much better performance as well as > reliability. My old machine has 2 80gb sata drives on a raid 1. Here is a > description of the new machine. > It's a poweredge 2900 with a Quad Core Xeon Processor E53352x4MB Cache, > 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, I chose 4GB 667MHz (4X1GB), Dual Ranked Fully Buffered > DIMMs vs 8x512. I don't know if I was better off with the single ranked 512 > or the dual ranked 1gb. I chose a Integrated SAS/SATA RAID 5 PERC 5/i > Integrated. I got 3 - 73GB 15K RPM Serial-Attach SCSI 3Gbps 3.5-in HotPlug > HardDrives. I will be running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 with > SP2 Standard Edition. For a NIC I got Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II5708 > GigabitEthernet NIC. I had them put a cd-rw/dvd drive in it. Also getting > Redundant Power Supply with Dual Cords for PowerEdge 2900. > For backup I will be getting RD1000, Ext USB Drive with bundled SW, and 3- > Removable Hard Disk Cartridge for RD1000, 80GB Native/ 160GB Comp. Also > purchased Symantec Backup Exec v11d Small Business Server Suite. I would suggest that you make sure that you have the external tape drive on a separate SCSI card from the RAID. We have a file server that has a RAID card with two external ports. One is attached to a PowerVault storage box and the other was attached to an HP tape drove. Worked great for about a year. However, over a s month period, we lost a RAID array. We were lucky and able to rebuild it w/o losing any data. The second time, the Dell tech suggested that having the tape drive on the same adapter as the RAID array was causing timing problems tat messed up the array. We bought another SCSI (non-RAID) adapter and it's been clean ever since. > > Now is this a good setup? My network consists of 4 client computers running > XP pro, and 3 network printers. All clients access the internet. We also > connect to our computers from home using remote access. I plan on adding 2 > more clients eventually, but won't ever really need much more. We run > Quickbooks in multiuser environment, UPS Worldship, and we use Outlook Office > for shared contact list, calendar, etc. Will this be much faster than my > old machine which was a Pentium 4. > > Also, Dell sets the entire thing up on one partition. In the past I had > reconfigured (reinstalled) everything to put operating system on C: > partition, Data for exchange & fax & other shared files on D: partition, and > other program files like outlook, and client apps on e: partition. I know > nothing about how raid 5 works. I just finally figured out raid 1. should I > leave it the way it comes for now, or would I be better off starting over > when I get it and reinstalling? Will it work the same as raid 1? In the > past I created array ( build/clear it), then I install sbs, created > partitions and then completed install with the above partitions. RAID 5 uses 3 drives to give you the same storage as RAID 1 does with 2 drives. It will be slower, but has better recovery in the event of a single drive failure. Ideally, you should have RAID 1 for the OS, RAID 1 for the log files and RAID 10 for the databases/data stores. That's a total of 8 drives. Each should be on their own RAID channel. That's a lot for a small operation, though. > > Also, NIC. Do I want 1 or 2. I'm real confused about the way to go with > this. I've been reading the community a lot and I get mixed things. And am > I going to have problems with the NIC installed in that computer. I always have 2 NICs in every server. I don't use teaming. I disable the second NIC and keep it as a backup in the event that the one in use fails (and yes, I've had NICs fail). > > Any advise is appreciated. > > Thanks, Ken
Guest KenM Posted November 27, 2007 Posted November 27, 2007 Re: Server Upgrade Thanks! I ordered 5 146gb drives instead, I'm going to do the raid 1 for os, and raid 5 for data. Thanks for the help! Ken "Jabez Gan [MVP]" wrote: > Hey Ken, > > Allocate 2 hard disks for the C partition (and create a RAID1) and allocate > 3 other hard disks and create a D partition with RAID5. > > ;) > > -- > Jabez Gan > Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - File Storage > "KenM" <KenM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:C10D45D5-BE99-419F-BACD-96C13D36EBB2@microsoft.com... > > Hi, thanks or all your comments. If you could, help me with the following > > comment you made: > > Reconfigure into 2 or 3 partitions. System partition, you can allocate > > 40GB. > > Install and configure to use Data on D or E partition. > > > > C partition use RAID1. Data partition (D or E) use RAID 5. > > > > When you say reconfigure, do you mean a hardware change, or will it be > > possible for me to have more than one array with what I have? With my > > old > > system (which was only raid 1), when I created the array, it used the > > entire > > hard disk for the array. I don't think I ever had any option to only use > > part of it. Will the Raid 5 setup that I am getting allow me to do that? > > When I created my old array, then I would just create the partitions in > > disk > > management. > > > > Thanks again! Ken > > > > > > "Jabez Gan [MVP]" wrote: > > > >> Reply inline. > >> > >> -- > >> Jabez Gan > >> Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - File Storage > >> "KenM" <KenM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:656ED310-669E-489E-BF7A-9D4F8172A339@microsoft.com... > >> > I'm replacing a Dell poweredge sc420 that I have used for a server for > >> > the > >> > past year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience with servers, > >> > the > >> > SC420 was my first attempt at running SBS2003. I want to make sure > >> > that > >> > I'm > >> > purchasing something that will give me much better performance as well > >> > as > >> > reliability. My old machine has 2 80gb sata drives on a raid 1. Here > >> > is > >> > a > >> > description of the new machine. > >> > It's a poweredge 2900 with a Quad Core Xeon Processor E53352x4MB Cache, > >> > 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, I chose 4GB 667MHz (4X1GB), Dual Ranked Fully > >> > Buffered > >> > DIMMs vs 8x512. I don't know if I was better off with the single > >> > ranked > >> > 512 > >> > or the dual ranked 1gb. > >> > >> Depending on what u going to do with the server, but dual rankedd 1GB > >> offers > >> better performance. > >> > >> I chose a Integrated SAS/SATA RAID 5 PERC 5/i > >> > Integrated. I got 3 - 73GB 15K RPM Serial-Attach SCSI 3Gbps 3.5-in > >> > HotPlug > >> > HardDrives. I will be running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 > >> > with > >> > SP2 Standard Edition. For a NIC I got Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme > >> > II5708 > >> > GigabitEthernet NIC. I had them put a cd-rw/dvd drive in it. Also > >> > getting > >> > Redundant Power Supply with Dual Cords for PowerEdge 2900. > >> > For backup I will be getting RD1000, Ext USB Drive with bundled SW, and > >> > 3- > >> > Removable Hard Disk Cartridge for RD1000, 80GB Native/ 160GB Comp. > >> > Also > >> > purchased Symantec Backup Exec v11d Small Business Server Suite. > >> > > >> > Now is this a good setup? My network consists of 4 client computers > >> > running > >> > XP pro, and 3 network printers. > >> > >> For 4 clients, the specs is too good, but it's harmless ;) > >> > >> All clients access the internet. We also > >> > connect to our computers from home using remote access. I plan on > >> > adding > >> > 2 > >> > more clients eventually, but won't ever really need much more. We run > >> > Quickbooks in multiuser environment, UPS Worldship, and we use Outlook > >> > Office > >> > for shared contact list, calendar, etc. Will this be much faster than > >> > my > >> > old machine which was a Pentium 4. > >> > >> Yes > >> > >> > > >> > Also, Dell sets the entire thing up on one partition. > >> > >> Reconfigure into 2 or 3 partitions. System partition, you can allocate > >> 40GB. > >> Install and configure to use Data on D or E partition. > >> > >> C partition use RAID1. Data partition (D or E) use RAID 5. > >> > >> In the past I had > >> > reconfigured (reinstalled) everything to put operating system on C: > >> > partition, Data for exchange & fax & other shared files on D: > >> > partition, > >> > and > >> > other program files like outlook, and client apps on e: partition. I > >> > know > >> > nothing about how raid 5 works. I just finally figured out raid 1. > >> > should I > >> > leave it the way it comes for now, or would I be better off starting > >> > over > >> > when I get it and reinstalling? Will it work the same as raid 1? In > >> > the > >> > past I created array ( build/clear it), then I install sbs, created > >> > partitions and then completed install with the above partitions. > >> > > >> > Also, NIC. Do I want 1 or 2. I'm real confused about the way to go > >> > with > >> > this. I've been reading the community a lot and I get mixed things. > >> > And > >> > am > >> > I going to have problems with the NIC installed in that computer. > >> > >> Get 2 for better performance in the future. If you only need one > >> currently, > >> have the other one disabled in Windows. > >> > >> > > >> > Any advise is appreciated. > >> > > >> > Thanks, Ken > >> > >> >
Guest KenM Posted November 27, 2007 Posted November 27, 2007 Re: Server Upgrade Thank you! Ken "Hank Arnold (MVP)" wrote: > Comments in-line > > -- > > Regards, > Hank Arnold > Microsoft MVP > Windows Server - Directory Services > > KenM wrote: > > I'm replacing a Dell poweredge sc420 that I have used for a server for the > > past year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience with servers, the > > SC420 was my first attempt at running SBS2003. I want to make sure that I'm > > purchasing something that will give me much better performance as well as > > reliability. My old machine has 2 80gb sata drives on a raid 1. Here is a > > description of the new machine. > > It's a poweredge 2900 with a Quad Core Xeon Processor E53352x4MB Cache, > > 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, I chose 4GB 667MHz (4X1GB), Dual Ranked Fully Buffered > > DIMMs vs 8x512. I don't know if I was better off with the single ranked 512 > > or the dual ranked 1gb. I chose a Integrated SAS/SATA RAID 5 PERC 5/i > > Integrated. I got 3 - 73GB 15K RPM Serial-Attach SCSI 3Gbps 3.5-in HotPlug > > HardDrives. I will be running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 with > > SP2 Standard Edition. For a NIC I got Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II5708 > > GigabitEthernet NIC. I had them put a cd-rw/dvd drive in it. Also getting > > Redundant Power Supply with Dual Cords for PowerEdge 2900. > > For backup I will be getting RD1000, Ext USB Drive with bundled SW, and 3- > > Removable Hard Disk Cartridge for RD1000, 80GB Native/ 160GB Comp. Also > > purchased Symantec Backup Exec v11d Small Business Server Suite. > > I would suggest that you make sure that you have the external tape drive > on a separate SCSI card from the RAID. We have a file server that has a > RAID card with two external ports. One is attached to a PowerVault > storage box and the other was attached to an HP tape drove. Worked great > for about a year. However, over a s month period, we lost a RAID array. > We were lucky and able to rebuild it w/o losing any data. The second > time, the Dell tech suggested that having the tape drive on the same > adapter as the RAID array was causing timing problems tat messed up the > array. We bought another SCSI (non-RAID) adapter and it's been clean > ever since. > > > > > Now is this a good setup? My network consists of 4 client computers running > > XP pro, and 3 network printers. All clients access the internet. We also > > connect to our computers from home using remote access. I plan on adding 2 > > more clients eventually, but won't ever really need much more. We run > > Quickbooks in multiuser environment, UPS Worldship, and we use Outlook Office > > for shared contact list, calendar, etc. Will this be much faster than my > > old machine which was a Pentium 4. > > > > Also, Dell sets the entire thing up on one partition. In the past I had > > reconfigured (reinstalled) everything to put operating system on C: > > partition, Data for exchange & fax & other shared files on D: partition, and > > other program files like outlook, and client apps on e: partition. I know > > nothing about how raid 5 works. I just finally figured out raid 1. should I > > leave it the way it comes for now, or would I be better off starting over > > when I get it and reinstalling? Will it work the same as raid 1? In the > > past I created array ( build/clear it), then I install sbs, created > > partitions and then completed install with the above partitions. > > RAID 5 uses 3 drives to give you the same storage as RAID 1 does with 2 > drives. It will be slower, but has better recovery in the event of a > single drive failure. > > Ideally, you should have RAID 1 for the OS, RAID 1 for the log files and > RAID 10 for the databases/data stores. That's a total of 8 drives. Each > should be on their own RAID channel. That's a lot for a small operation, > though. > > > > Also, NIC. Do I want 1 or 2. I'm real confused about the way to go with > > this. I've been reading the community a lot and I get mixed things. And am > > I going to have problems with the NIC installed in that computer. > > I always have 2 NICs in every server. I don't use teaming. I disable the > second NIC and keep it as a backup in the event that the one in use > fails (and yes, I've had NICs fail). > > > > > Any advise is appreciated. > > > > Thanks, Ken >
Guest Si Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 Re: Server Upgrade Hi Just as a side note have you managed to implement this configuration. I am in the process of designing a similar configuration the only problem is the compatibalility of the Dell RD1000? Have you had any problems with this backup device? Does DPM 2007 recognise it and can you back up to it OK? "KenM" wrote: > Thanks! I ordered 5 146gb drives instead, I'm going to do the raid 1 for > os, and raid 5 for data. Thanks for the help! Ken > > "Jabez Gan [MVP]" wrote: > > > Hey Ken, > > > > Allocate 2 hard disks for the C partition (and create a RAID1) and allocate > > 3 other hard disks and create a D partition with RAID5. > > > > ;) > > > > -- > > Jabez Gan > > Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - File Storage > > "KenM" <KenM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > > news:C10D45D5-BE99-419F-BACD-96C13D36EBB2@microsoft.com... > > > Hi, thanks or all your comments. If you could, help me with the following > > > comment you made: > > > Reconfigure into 2 or 3 partitions. System partition, you can allocate > > > 40GB. > > > Install and configure to use Data on D or E partition. > > > > > > C partition use RAID1. Data partition (D or E) use RAID 5. > > > > > > When you say reconfigure, do you mean a hardware change, or will it be > > > possible for me to have more than one array with what I have? With my > > > old > > > system (which was only raid 1), when I created the array, it used the > > > entire > > > hard disk for the array. I don't think I ever had any option to only use > > > part of it. Will the Raid 5 setup that I am getting allow me to do that? > > > When I created my old array, then I would just create the partitions in > > > disk > > > management. > > > > > > Thanks again! Ken > > > > > > > > > "Jabez Gan [MVP]" wrote: > > > > > >> Reply inline. > > >> > > >> -- > > >> Jabez Gan > > >> Microsoft MVP: Windows Server - File Storage > > >> "KenM" <KenM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > > >> news:656ED310-669E-489E-BF7A-9D4F8172A339@microsoft.com... > > >> > I'm replacing a Dell poweredge sc420 that I have used for a server for > > >> > the > > >> > past year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience with servers, > > >> > the > > >> > SC420 was my first attempt at running SBS2003. I want to make sure > > >> > that > > >> > I'm > > >> > purchasing something that will give me much better performance as well > > >> > as > > >> > reliability. My old machine has 2 80gb sata drives on a raid 1. Here > > >> > is > > >> > a > > >> > description of the new machine. > > >> > It's a poweredge 2900 with a Quad Core Xeon Processor E53352x4MB Cache, > > >> > 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, I chose 4GB 667MHz (4X1GB), Dual Ranked Fully > > >> > Buffered > > >> > DIMMs vs 8x512. I don't know if I was better off with the single > > >> > ranked > > >> > 512 > > >> > or the dual ranked 1gb. > > >> > > >> Depending on what u going to do with the server, but dual rankedd 1GB > > >> offers > > >> better performance. > > >> > > >> I chose a Integrated SAS/SATA RAID 5 PERC 5/i > > >> > Integrated. I got 3 - 73GB 15K RPM Serial-Attach SCSI 3Gbps 3.5-in > > >> > HotPlug > > >> > HardDrives. I will be running Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 > > >> > with > > >> > SP2 Standard Edition. For a NIC I got Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme > > >> > II5708 > > >> > GigabitEthernet NIC. I had them put a cd-rw/dvd drive in it. Also > > >> > getting > > >> > Redundant Power Supply with Dual Cords for PowerEdge 2900. > > >> > For backup I will be getting RD1000, Ext USB Drive with bundled SW, and > > >> > 3- > > >> > Removable Hard Disk Cartridge for RD1000, 80GB Native/ 160GB Comp. > > >> > Also > > >> > purchased Symantec Backup Exec v11d Small Business Server Suite. > > >> > > > >> > Now is this a good setup? My network consists of 4 client computers > > >> > running > > >> > XP pro, and 3 network printers. > > >> > > >> For 4 clients, the specs is too good, but it's harmless ;) > > >> > > >> All clients access the internet. We also > > >> > connect to our computers from home using remote access. I plan on > > >> > adding > > >> > 2 > > >> > more clients eventually, but won't ever really need much more. We run > > >> > Quickbooks in multiuser environment, UPS Worldship, and we use Outlook > > >> > Office > > >> > for shared contact list, calendar, etc. Will this be much faster than > > >> > my > > >> > old machine which was a Pentium 4. > > >> > > >> Yes > > >> > > >> > > > >> > Also, Dell sets the entire thing up on one partition. > > >> > > >> Reconfigure into 2 or 3 partitions. System partition, you can allocate > > >> 40GB. > > >> Install and configure to use Data on D or E partition. > > >> > > >> C partition use RAID1. Data partition (D or E) use RAID 5. > > >> > > >> In the past I had > > >> > reconfigured (reinstalled) everything to put operating system on C: > > >> > partition, Data for exchange & fax & other shared files on D: > > >> > partition, > > >> > and > > >> > other program files like outlook, and client apps on e: partition. I > > >> > know > > >> > nothing about how raid 5 works. I just finally figured out raid 1. > > >> > should I > > >> > leave it the way it comes for now, or would I be better off starting > > >> > over > > >> > when I get it and reinstalling? Will it work the same as raid 1? In > > >> > the > > >> > past I created array ( build/clear it), then I install sbs, created > > >> > partitions and then completed install with the above partitions. > > >> > > > >> > Also, NIC. Do I want 1 or 2. I'm real confused about the way to go > > >> > with > > >> > this. I've been reading the community a lot and I get mixed things. > > >> > And > > >> > am > > >> > I going to have problems with the NIC installed in that computer. > > >> > > >> Get 2 for better performance in the future. If you only need one > > >> currently, > > >> have the other one disabled in Windows. > > >> > > >> > > > >> > Any advise is appreciated. > > >> > > > >> > Thanks, Ken > > >> > > >> > >
Recommended Posts