Poll - RM School or Vanilla School

[jamesfed]

Hi all,
I've just been asked by the SLTs to ask everyone what networking server system they are running so here goes in the wonderful poll format-

[dgsmith]

RM CC4 - that isn't a recommendation though (at least not yet, still)..

[Jamman960]

Vanilla all the way especially as any new installs will be CC4 which I've yet to see a positive review of on here.

Server 2003/8 has everything needed to setup a good network and you get to choose all of the components for print/file/user management etc rather than having to use whatever RM decide is best.

[FN-GM]

Server 2008 R2

[speckytecky]

Moving alongside your question Jamesfed I'd be interested to hear feedback from here on the feelings on running Vanilla systems with management add ons such as Ranger over running them directly through AD and GP -if that makes any sense!

Simply, I suppose, do systems such as Ranger bring anything that AD and GP don't?

[jsnetman]

do systems such as Ranger bring anything that AD and GP don't

I guess they afford some simplicity in managing a network, such as user managers and the like of that, and of course ready to use GPO's if ranger uses them.

[sparkeh]

Um, all of the above

[cookie_monster]

Server 2008 SP2 DC's with a mix of 2008 SP2 and 2003 SP2 member servers.

[jsnetman]

jamesfed, I have followed your posts regarding this issue, in my view you would be better off and cheaper with a vanilla network but have you got the experience in house to setup and manage a vanilla setup. Are you putting yourself forward to do this. You have mentioned getting BT in to do it but I would suggest this is not a viable option. You would have to be prepared to set it up and manage it yourself. Contracting it out would be just as costly if not more than RM or Ranger. On the other hand if you want me and my techie to come there over a holiday period we could bash one out for you at a very reasonable price !!!

[cookie_monster]

Simply, I suppose, do systems such as Ranger bring anything that AD and GP don't?

They do provide a uniform look and feel so you know what you get but they don't provide anything that you can’t achieve with a 'little' more work on a vanilla setup.

Speaking as someone who has migrated two schools from RM and Ranger to vanilla setups so I'm familiar with all except CC4.



jsnetman makes a very good point you need to make sure that 'all' of your staff will be comfortable with a vanilla setup and make provisions for if you're off due to unforeseen circumstances something that far to many schools leave themselves open too. Having a support company that you deal with that know your setup can help. Make your vanilla setup something they would be willing to support if you go down that route.

[sippo]

'Vanillia' all the way

[Diello]

Definately Vanilla if you've got the in-house skills. RM CCx is great if you're a school with limited technical skills, Ranger etc., is great if you have some decent skills, but not enough to really build a network from scratch.

As you move up to more ingrained 3rd part network management, you loose flexibility and innovation, but require less skills. So it's basically a trade off.

To us, nothing beats building it from scratch and knowing every inch of it perfectly, but the school has got to be comfortable with knowing it's got the in-house skills to develop and run it.

[Edu-IT]

To us, nothing beats building it from scratch and knowing every inch of it perfectly, but the school has got to be comfortable with knowing it's got the in-house skills to develop and run it.

And the money to pay the staff to do it.

[HullFC]

CC3, CC4 and Vanilla.

Definite thumbs down for CC4. Still not ready and an absolute resource hog. Vanilla Server 2008 is the way to go if you are technical enough, GP prefs making our lives much easier.

[Theblacksheep]

CC3 - cancelled CC4 downgrade.

Now going vanilla 2008r2 and 7.