Any IT Server experts here?

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We're going through a few changes at work right now and the IT bods we're using are recommending a new server.

Current Situation: six users, all XP Pro. One "server" based on an XP Pro box, Raid 5, 2GB ram, P4 3200 processor, I think, could be a 3000. Built in tape drive for nightly backups which are held off site. E-Mail is a problem as everyones account is on their own machine and although we've got a procedure in place for storage centrally it doesn't work properly as it's too fiddly.

Future situation: six users, all XP Pro. One now working from home/on the road, probably with a VPN into the server. Centralised email management via exchange server. We're also getting some software written which will provide a web based system, hosted elsewhere, for customer management and a client portal so we can provide information via our web site.

The issue I've got is with the server they're quoting and I'm hoping someone can explain why we need to go this route.
They're quoting for a top of the range IBM X3200 which as far as I can see is not much more than a PC with a fancy price.

Convince me to spend the best bit of £3K please :D It doesn't end there mind you, there's UPS, hardware firewall, new tape drive etc etc etc. :(
 
I am not, but the better half is :)

Ill point him this way later :)
 
PM me for my mobile # & give me a call. I'm a network admin and will give you as much advise as I can (free).

No, from the sounds of it you don't need that. Just buy a Small Business Server license (abt £400) and get someone to install it. That comes with exchange etc etc, everything you could need. If they're using Outlook you can then import their data files (.pst) into exchange for seemless data migration.
 
Sounds like you've got the help you need, PM me if you still need me :)
 
If exchange is the only reason for getting the server licence it might be worth looking at MDaemon which is a great email server app :thumbs:
 
Yup Dave has the right idea with that solution. SBS would do the job nicely. HP have some good cashback offers on at the moment with double the CPU and RAM. I've just bought in a nice rack mounted GL360 G5 for the same sort of role as you describe.
 
btw, £3k is a bit overkill for 6 users mind.

The server i've just bought is to serve a full educational management system and 32 staff members and it won't even be tickled.
 
Dell were doing a superb deal before xmas - Server for £99. That didn't include an OS though, but even so!

They've got some cracking deals for £199 too atm (again, no OS) But from the sounds of it the existing hardware will be fine :)
 
Thanks guys, some great offers of support/advice received :D
 
Get Windows 2003 SBS (I got Premium as you get ISA2004 Firewall, SQL Server, Exchange Server 2004).

As of SP2, Exchange can hold 75Gb of emails, Firewall is brilliant, SQL server ... just is!

VPN for remote access into the office.

Anti Virus protection on the server which isn't the same as your PC's (always best to run 2 different ones)

I'd suggest Mail Marshal to remove all spam and sh!t. On a seperate server.

ADSL in via a normal DSL Modem which the SBS server controls, mail would then go to Mail Marshal server then into your Exchange Server.

If you need another independent consultant try Ted Walsh, WMY Systems - 01539530272 tell him Carl Ogden put you in touch!

PM me if you want a chat and I'll tell you what I got (more users but same sort of senario) and see if that helps you.

Cheers,
Carl.
 
All very sound advise. A half-decent spec box with SBS2003 and a knowledgeable pair of hands is all you need. I'm also in the "IT for the SME" business so do let me know if any help's required via PM.
 
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