New Server

[Eudora931]

So, (long post alert)!

Been in new NM role since October half term. There is a definite plan to upgrade the server ( currently 2008 R2 running CC4 ) to Server 2012 with the option for Hyper V if required in the future. Also need VLAN capable switches.

Advice please on:

What server make to go for ( I am looking for a rack type that will slot into a cab)

 

What backup options to consider - currently using Windows server backup - not great!

 

What switches to go for - currently have netgear smart switches - which apparently don't do VLAN?

 

Anything else I need to consider - will be able to put through more stuff as part of this project now rather than adding later.

 

We are a large primary school (800+ pupils and 130+ staff and growing ) spread over 2 buildings

Wifi is new (3yrs old - MerAki ) so no need for anything new there.

 

Any help / advice much appreciated

[emoji106]🏼[emoji4]

[witch]

I'd go with HP switches - I've had all sorts and they have been the best.

Dunno about a rack mount server, I have a standalone HP in both schools which have been very reliable.

[Sibrows]

So, (long post alert)!

Been in new NM role since October half term. There is a definite plan to upgrade the server ( currently 2008 R2 running CC4 ) to Server 2012 with the option for Hyper V if required in the future. Also need VLAN capable switches.

Advice please on:

Congratulations on the new role.

 

What server make to go for ( I am looking for a rack type that will slot into a cab) 4]

Your specifications doesn't limit the manufacturers particularly. My current preference is for HP having had some positive experiences with their kit and having a large amount of networking kit with them it gives me a 'one stop shop' for support But this is very subjective.

 

What backup options to consider - currently using Windows server backup - not great!

If your going HyperV have a look at Veeam. You may find their free offering fits your requirements.

 

What switches to go for - currently have netgear smart switches - which apparently don't do VLAN?

I've answered this above but its because of HP's Lifetime warranty on their networking kit.

 

Anything else I need to consider - will be able to put through more stuff as part of this project now rather than adding later.

Make sure your cabinet can take the server (I've seen it on too many occasions someone purchasing a rack mount server to the discover that the rack isn't big enough).

There are many other issues that you may want to consider;

- If your replacing your switching do you have any need for PoE (I'm guessing you have some kind of provision based on having Meraki WiFi)?

- I would investigate what you could move to cloud based service(s) but don't under estimate the strain on your internet connection.

 

I'm not massively keen on RM as I found that when I took over as NM over a year ago we were able to get the same level of service from a local firm with a far better price tag attached by going vanilla but its heavily dependant on your capabilities as our requirements for support are occasional calls for the more technical support. I'm not saying it would/wouldn't work for you but don't rule it out.

[FN-GM]

I've answered this above but its because of HP's Lifetime warranty on their networking kit.

 

Cisco also offer this.

[Sibrows]

Cisco also offer this.

I didn't realise that they did, but I have always been led to believe that your paying quite a premium for Cisco kit

[Eudora931]

I'm not massively keen on RM as I found that when I took over as NM over a year ago we were able to get the same level of service from a local firm with a far better price tag attached by going vanilla but its heavily dependant on your capabilities as our requirements for support are occasional calls for the more technical support. I'm not saying it would/wouldn't work for you but don't rule it out.

 

Sorry , should have said in OP - moving over to Vanilla for more flexibility .

[Eudora931]

Thanks Sibrows

Sorry not worked out how to include quotes on my mobile device !

[Eudora931]

Yes, would need POE as meraki AP 's and phones work off those

[Eudora931]

Thanks witch

[mrbios]

HP switches, will do everything you'll need for a lot cheaper than cisco will. Highly recommend them........or should we start saying aruba switches now?

 

Personally moved away from Dell, HP and so on for physical servers, can't recommend supermicro builds enough! Far cheaper than the premium the likes of HP add on. HP lost me as a customer as soon as they started forcing people to use their own stupidly priced drives with the chip on the drive caddy. Yet to have to use their warranty though so can't comment on whether that's as good as the service HP can provide.

 

Cheaper alternative to veeam in case it falls outside of your price bracket: Arcserve Unified Data Protection (or UDP for short) really good bit of kit. I've been running it for a year and a half now with very little trouble at all. Veeam is the market leader as far as I'm aware, but you also pay a premium for it over alternatives.

[FN-GM]

I didn't realise that they did, but I have always been led to believe that your paying quite a premium for Cisco kit

 

HP switches, will do everything you'll need for a lot cheaper than cisco will. Highly recommend them........or should we start saying aruba switches now?

 

Don't always assume that. I know of a sixth form college with 1000 students who replaced HP with Cisco when they needed to refresh because Cisco was quite a bit cheaper. Also you have a more advanced feature set with Cisco that other vendors cannot provide. For example EIGRP & GLBP.

Edited January 5, 2016 by FN-GM

[twin--turbo]

I work with HP switches in my job, when we upgraded the cores in the summer we were forced to go with HP as the product specification meant the HP's were cheaper ( purely because Cisco had one cheaper with not enough ports, and one more expensive with too many porst). It's hard to convince a manager with the word's "Because they are better" . Unfortunatly I have had 4-5 situations in the last 6 months where I have had to utter bad words about HP switching...

 

As for Servers, we go Dell. Even our supplier who was always keen to do HP has happliy quoted for them and not been able to match the price/spec with a HP.

 

Personaly, I would go with VMWARE Essentials Plus Kit. It's cheap and gives you all you need to run 3 Host servers.

 

Plan to have as few as possible real physical servers and get everything virtualised.

 

TT

[mrbios]

Don't always assume that. I know of a sixth form college with 1000 students who replaced HP with Cisco when they needed to refresh because Cisco was quite a bit cheaper. Also you have a more advanced feature set with Cisco that other vendors cannot provide. For example EIGRP & GLBP.

 

The small business range are of a similar price bracket i suppose, but i don't imagine you'll get a catalyst switch at the same price as a HP equivalent? Of course correct me if I'm wrong though! I'm in the market for a few switches and struggling to find a 24G, PoE option that fits my needs from anyone other than HP or the cisco small business range (though comparative specs put the HP infront and slightly cheaper)

[FN-GM]

The small business range are of a similar price bracket i suppose, but i don't imagine you'll get a catalyst switch at the same price as a HP equivalent?

 

They are all Catalyst switches not small business

 

The small business switches are not work messing with. Would rather have used Catalyst's

[ICTDirect_Dave]

If I might pop my hat into the ring here, I've got some lovely HP DL380 G7 2U servers that would fit the bill perfectly, we could spec you up something spectacular for a suprisingly small amount

 

Drop me a PM if you want to see what we can do?d

[Sephiroth]

Cisco also offer this.

 

Netgear also offer Lifetime warranty, 3 year NBD onsite service, and lifetime tech support. One of the reasons I considered them.

[john]

HP Rack Servers are the best in my opinion we have LOTS of them and HP Blades around the world and they are great and I used them in my Edu days as well and never let me down.

 

Switching, HP yep, Cisco should be looked at and Juniper as well they are great bits of kit.

[Dos_Box]

Moving to correct forum.

[Alis_Klar]

If I might pop my hat into the ring here, I've got some lovely HP DL380 G7 2U servers that would fit the bill perfectly, we could spec you up something spectacular for a suprisingly small amount

 

Drop me a PM if you want to see what we can do?d

+1 for Refurb HP Server kit. If your worried about hardware failures for these prices you can afford to get two servers and have a failover cluster with hyper-v. Also on backup software would reccommend ALTARO for hyper-v backup. Works flawlessly and is much cheaper than VEEAM.

Edited January 8, 2016 by Alis_Klar

[tomo1095]

In a pretty much identical situation (Moving from CC4 to vanilla), though luckily we already have most of the equipment needed including:

 

HP Procurve switches

HP Proliant servers running VMware

 

For backups I'd definitely look at Veeam.

 

 

The only issue I'm having is finding companies willing to offer support at a reasonable cost, we'll only really be needing them for the high end, technical support. - Anyone any experience with any companies who offer a set amount of support calls for a reasonable price with an option to top them up if needs be?

[twin--turbo]

One thing that realy annoys me at Is that you can't get HP server firmware without a support contract. so maintaining your own ageing servers is more difficult.

 

TT