Windows 2003 partition setup

January 11, 2008

I have installed Windows 2003 server on a new Dell 2900. This machine has

a raid 5 config of 500 gig. I took the default c: partition size of 12 gig

when I installed. This machine will be run Terminal server and also act as

a file server. I have now realize with Program Files and Document and

Settings folders on this partition we'll have immediate problem. I'm either

going to have to resize the C: partition *or* reconfigure the system with

these folders on a new drive. There isn't a lot of information on this

subject available. How are the real world admins doing this? My gut

reaction is to simply divide the array right in two 250 gig volumes, C: and

D: This would provide plenty of space for user profiles and program files,

the D: drive would handle file server space exclusively.

TIA

Myron Oakley

PCM

January 12, 2008

RE: Windows 2003 partition setup

I have mine (250gig) set up as a

c: w/ 25gig, which is plenty of room if you manage it. kind of makes you

(without stress) so is good at keeping maintained

d: w/54 gig, for all programs and some documents

K: w/ what is left as file share and media drive

L: w/ 20 for my db files (only) and what have-yous

can't say I have ever had stroage problems of any kind and can schedule

sevices on one at a time :) makes things flow with a bit of ease.

what You want is what will fill Your Needs. Unless you have a large db that

needs space: splint into three or more. C, D, K what ever. a drive per

specific situation would not be off the mark either.

Eric

"Myron Oakley" wrote:

> I have installed Windows 2003 server on a new Dell 2900. This machine has

> a raid 5 config of 500 gig. I took the default c: partition size of 12 gig

> when I installed. This machine will be run Terminal server and also act as

> a file server. I have now realize with Program Files and Document and

> Settings folders on this partition we'll have immediate problem. I'm either

> going to have to resize the C: partition *or* reconfigure the system with

> these folders on a new drive. There isn't a lot of information on this

> subject available. How are the real world admins doing this? My gut

> reaction is to simply divide the array right in two 250 gig volumes, C: and

> D: This would provide plenty of space for user profiles and program files,

> the D: drive would handle file server space exclusively.

>

> TIA

>

> Myron Oakley

> PCM

>

January 12, 2008

Re: Windows 2003 partition setup

In news:OpFJURHVIHA.2368@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl,

Myron Oakley <moakley@pcmli.com> typed:

> I have installed Windows 2003 server on a new Dell 2900. This

> machine has a raid 5 config of 500 gig. I took the default c:

> partition size of 12 gig when I installed. This machine will be run

> Terminal server and also act as a file server. I have now realize

> with Program Files and Document and Settings folders on this

> partition we'll have immediate problem. I'm either going to have to

> resize the C: partition *or* reconfigure the system with these

> folders on a new drive. There isn't a lot of information on this

> subject available. How are the real world admins doing this? My

> gut reaction is to simply divide the array right in two 250 gig

> volumes, C: and D: This would provide plenty of space for user

> profiles and program files, the D: drive would handle file server

> space exclusively.

> TIA

>

> Myron Oakley

> PCM

How many drive in the array? Frankly in your scenario, I would just leave

the whole thing as one large drive because I believe in a drive letter per

spindle.

However when ordering such a machine, for all of our clients, I usually opt

to have a minimum of 5 drives broken down into two RAID1 drives (mirrored)

for C: drive, and 3 or more (depending on budget and the server's physical

capacity) configured in a RAID5 array for data storage.

--

Regards,

Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and

confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,

MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services

Microsoft Certified Trainer

Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations

January 14, 2008

RE: Windows 2003 partition setup

Hi Myron,

I agree with the other comments that have been posted. A 12 GB C: partition

is workable, though I usually opt for 20-25 GB.

Since this is a server, you should have almost no one logging on to it so

the profiles/ Documents & Settings shouldn't be a big issue, right?? If you

are doing roaming profiles or folder redirection, these should certainly be

moved to the other partition. Remember, only OS things, not even apps should

be on that C: partition.

You might have an opportunity to gain some space by moving the Swap, but

this does make it do you can't do a full memory dump. Most people ignore

this warning as by the time they are down to the dump to fix a problem, they

are willing to start over. I will say that is has helped me a few times, and

I prefer to keep it.

--

Ryan Hanisco

MCSE, MCTS: SQL 2005, Project+

http://www.techsterity.com

Chicago, IL

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