New Server preparation and network layout

[jamin100]

Im in the process of specing a new server for installation over the next month or two and am just thinking about my current server layout.

We are a primary school with 150 XP clients and around 400 users.

Current setup is as follows;

All Server 2k3
Server 1 - DC, AD, All user/shared storage, Print server
Server 2 - CMIS, DC
Server 3 - Policy Central, Ghost, WDS
Server 4 - Network Apps, Weekly backup of server 1's storage areas, archived data

Now, its intended that next year we make the move to windows 7, so i'm putting one 2008R2 server in now and then another one to replace server 2 next year.

So, ive got a rough spec;

HP ML350 G6
6 GB RAM
146 SAS drive
5 x 500GB Sata Drives
Server 2008R2

Im now pondering how to setup this server and the other servers around it. The head wants this to replace server 1 because we had a power supply break and were without a fully functional network for 1 day and a half. The power supply has now been replaced and the server is fine but the head inststs that it needs to be changed

But i'm thinking about just demoting it to a less vital role than removing it from the network altogether.

So my proposed new layout looks something like this

NEW HP server - DC, Storage, Printers
Server 2 - CMIS,
Server 3 - Policy Central, Ghost, WDS
Server 1 (old server) - DC, Apps, Backup

Server 4 - removed.

Were not looking to virtualise anything but the ultimate aim in 18 months time is to be fully Windows 2008 and Windows 7.

Does the above look ok or would you change anything?

[stevenlong1985]

@jamin100 hey which school are you at, i've got a similar setup, im looking to upgrade the servers and Im looking at Virtualiastion, if you not far from me we can exchange info?

[jamin100]

Yeh sure PM'd

[IanT]

I would set it up like with a couple of DL380 G7's:

Server 01 : Domain Controller, DHCP, DNS (with FSMO roles etc)
Server 02: Management Server (Ghost, WDS, AV, Backup, Hyper-V)
Server 03: Secondary DC (Hyper-V)
Server 04: CMIS Server (Hyper-V)
Server 05: File Server

I wouldn't put too much on a DC, just have 1 pure DC (with FSMO roles etc) and then another secondary DC.