Need help with new Server

[witch]

I have some money left in the budget and I really want to buy a new server so I can upgrade to 2008R2. However, there is no way that I have the expertise to sort it out alone, especially being part-time and I wondered - a long shot I know - whether anyone knew someone down this way, or a small company, who would come and help me with it.
My normal company is charging an astronomical amount as they insist on upgrading and imaging all my machines (most of which are W7, but some are XP and I really cant see why they cant just be joined to the new domain?) and I am not sure this is really necessary (unless someone can tell me different?)
I have about £5500 for the server and install combined and it isnt enough. The worry is that I will NEVER have this amount of cash left in the future so I really need to do it now.

I currently have an HP Proliant ML150 G5 with 4GB RAM running 2003R2 and I am looking to go up to the best HP I can afford.
Any advice - except the stuff saying "oh yeah, you can do it alone", gratefully received.

[plexer]

If they are allready on a working domain no need for a new one. Whoever does it should just add the new server as a domain controller and can then demote the other one if needed.

Ben

[saundersmatt]

Do you have any contacts at local secondary schools? We do installs for feeder primaries well within that budget.

Matt.

[hit]

I wouldn't go down the new domain route, it's not necessary. Install 2008 on the new server, dcpromo it, make it the operations master. You now have 2 DCs on your domain. Then migrate any shares from the old server to the new one and make sure that any software still works. Once it's all done, trash the old server and install 2008 on that and you then have a backup DC.

Your client machines shouldn't see any difference and no domain changes are necessary.

[nephilim]

Hit is right but if you lack the skills to do it, a fresh install and domain may work better for you personally.

I'll see if I can knock something up for you by way of a server and costings.

[elsiegee40]

If they are allready on a working domain no need for a new one. Whoever does it should just add the new server as a domain controller and can then demote the other one if needed.

Ben

That's what we did (didn't demote the existing 2003 server though)

just hunted back through my email to find our quote for the summer of 2010:

Everything, i.e. the hardware (Server, 2TB NAS for backups, UPS), Server 2008 R2 license, and hired help for installation and configuration cost all together was under £4500 including VAT.

CALs came extra.

[nephilim]

Was going to say..

Server hardware ~£1700
NAS Backup Hardware ~£100
UPS ~£300
Windows Server 2008R2 (depends on your licencing but no more than £27 if using EES/SLA)
Installation over 2-3 days (max) ~£500 per day

Total should be near to £4000

[Mr.Ben]

Check with the Local Authority - I can only speak for B&NES, but the Server Pricing I got from them was almost £1000 less than my usual suppliers - So obviously I bought it through them.

Personally I've both upgraded a domain (moving over roles to a new server (2000-2003)) and done a fresh install. A fresh install got rid of the residual problems that I couldn't fix, but I was also imagining the whole site to Windows 7 at the same time it made sense to do this - in your situation I would go down the upgrade route.

[michael2k6]

I know of a company down your way that I can personally recommend, but I don't think theyre on the forum, I don't want to do any unauthorised advertising, but I've sent you a PM about it.
Mic

[edutech4schools]

You could always take this opportunity to learn how to do the install. I did my first install in very small chunks. you can leave the old server running for most of the job and can always back out if you have a problem. I don't want you to do something your not happy doing but we can all help and advise you at each stage.

Simplified list of stages

Check old server for errors
setup raid on new server
install 2008r2 (only takes about 15mins)
install all windows updates
Join new server to domain (same as any workstation)
Give the new server fixed ip
Run dcromo on new server and leave for a while (makes the server a DC and copies DNS, GPO's, AD, Sysvol)
If it is going to have sims / fms install sql sims + fms
Move sims / fms data to new server
move files to new server
copy DHCP settings to new server
up to this point you always have the choice to switch off the new server and continue to use the old one.

DCPROMO old server to demote it from DC to a standard server
point dns on new server to itself.

Job done. Well the list is slightly more in-depth but does give you a basic overview.

[IanT]

I've just some some server consultation for a company I help and recommended a DL380 G7 and some bits:

Server: HP ProLiant DL380 G7 X5650 2U Rack Server | Ebuyer.com

UPS: APC Smart-UPS RackMount Line Interactive 750VA UPS AC.. | Ebuyer.com

OS: Windows Server Standard 2008 R2 w/SP1 x64 English 1pk.. | Ebuyer.com

[witch]

This is where being part-time and alone really kicks in. You're right, I could probably have a go myself but with no-one there to bounce things off, and also my own job to do, I really don't feel confident. I understand the process, up to a point, but I don't have the skills to sort out things when they go wrong, which no doubt they will.
Currently I am looking at the following quote from a local company:
HP ML350 2.4GHz quad core 8GB RAM 5 x 500GB SAS drives (RAID 5 with spares): £2340
I don't know if this is good or bad?
(my current server is an HP ML150 G5)
Installation etc is a whopping £2500

I don't need a UPS luckily as mine is newish but I will need a decent back-up solution

*It's the hired help I need!!

[pooley]

Surely there's an edugeek local to you that could hold your hand through the install? Move Devon closer to south Wales and I'll pop across

[SYSMAN_MK]

If they are allready on a working domain no need for a new one. Whoever does it should just add the new server as a domain controller and can then demote the other one if needed.

Ben

What he said.

So far have migrated 3 primaries from W2K3 to W2K8 R2 on only a day a week, so it is doable part time. Thing to do would be to purchase your kit and then plan it in stages. Ok it will take longer doing it part time but seeing as your current set-up is fine that shouldn't be a problem.

[nephilim]

The only issue I can forsee is if @witch is being asked to get it done ASAP in which case, part time may not cut it. It might require someone on site to do the whole migration/DCPromo etc