Server for a small business

[RobD]

Hi All,

 

A friend of mine runs a small business (around 20 people) and is looking for a new server to run as a file server, exchange server, print server and also run a small application (to replace their SBS 2003 server that does the same).

 

I've been looking at Dell servers which seem pretty good but they don't sell small business server any-more meaning we wouldn't have Exchange built in.

 

Does anyone have any options on what I should do i.e. buy a server with server 2012 and tell them to use 365 or just buy exchange?

 

Thanks

[Michael]

I'd do exactly that - buy 2008 R2 or later Standard edition (for the local domain), then subscribe to Office 365.

[FN-GM]

What else do they need from the server apart from Exchange?

[computer_expert]

Have a look at Server 2012 Essentials/2012R2 Essentials as I think this is what replaced SBS.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Send him to me! We do all kinds of lovely servers for nice and cheap

[RobD]

What else do they need from the server apart from Exchange?

As I said, file server, print server, DC, VPN host, and to host a application.

 

Send him to me! We do all kinds of lovely servers for nice and cheap

Happy to get a quote, looking for a server with RAID 5 (4 1TB drives), Server 2012 something (maybe essentials), enough CALS for 20 users/devices. Something meaty enough to last 5 years ish Edited May 23, 2014 by RobD

[Oaktech]

I'd get an HP ml350 or similar, run a copy of windows SBS2011 or 2012 essentials on it. Maybe even put a free copy of VMware on it...

[Ephelyon]

Dave, I'd be interested to see what you'd do something like this for actually as there's a potential consulting opportunity I may have over the summer where I might suggest switching from a workgroup to a domain-based environment. Not education though, firm of lawyers.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

My services are purely hardware based, so you'd have to source your own OS. But that said you'll get some pretty great pricing from me for the HW

 

Usually for business based deals we hand off to the other side of our company who deal b2b but don't offer warranty. However anything thats comes to us through EG gets all the aftercare we provide to schools. Come have a chat with me at next week's conf if you like and we'll see what we can do

[ICTDirect_Dave]

As I said, file server, print server, DC, VPN host, and to host a application.

 

Happy to get a quote, looking for a server with RAID 5 (4 1TB drives), Server 2012 something (maybe essentials), enough CALS for 20 users/devices. Something meaty enough to last 5 years ish

 

Hardware is the only area I can quote on but i'd be happy to point you towards a supplier you can get your CALS from and give you a great quote for a server:)

 

Drop me a PM with your ideal requirements and I'll put something together.

[krisd32]

We use 2012 r2 standard with the essentials plug-in. This will auto-magically integrate with office 365, azure and in-tune. plus it will set up remote PC access for you. fantastic piece of software, i really like it anyway.

And if you use the standard version with the essentials plugin your not restricting your user count.

[Ephelyon]

Does the Essentials plug-in cost extra?

[krisd32]

No it comes as part of server 2012 r2. You have to add server essentials experience as a role.

Windows Server Essentials Experience Overview

Edited May 23, 2014 by krisd32

[Norphy]

I would also suggest getting an Office 365 subscription. For up to 25 users, it's £8.40 per user per month if you buy an annual subscription plus that gets you Office, SharePoint and Lync thrown in as well. The version without Office is £40 per user per year. Whereas Exchange alone would cost about £1000 for the server license with five CALs, about £70 a CAL for the additional users plus whatever the server it runs on costs (Prices got from Google Shopping, may vary between resellers!)

 

A small business would be insane to buy Exchange and Office licenses without Office 365 these days imo.