Virtualizing server suggestions

[xxlonewolfxx123]

Hiya,

 

Looking for opinions on how to get the most from our current setup.

 

We have a

 

Dell T620

X2 CPUs

32GB RAM

4 X 278GB in RAID 5

2 X 931GB in RAID 1

 

Running Two Hyper-V VMS (One Print Server and One Miscellaneous)

The Physical server is the only DC and runs DCHP, DNS, MDT/WDS, File Server and uses Windows Server Backup to backup the entire server including VMS to a 2TB USB2.0 HDD.

 

What would your recommendations on this setup be? How would you have it setup?

 

I was thinking running Hyper-V server on the Physical server and having three VMs take the places of the above and possibly moving to VEEAM backup along with a NAS or new USB 3.0 HDDs.

 

I would like a smooth backup/restore operation for if the DC goes down so open to suggestions.

[yac2016]

Defo HyperV it with Server 2016, have a look at Altaro as alternative to Veeam does the same but costs a lot less £350 for unlimited VM's per host.

[xxlonewolfxx123]

Are you suggesting to use Hyper-V Server or just install Hyper-V Feature on Server 2016 and have 3 VMS on that?

[mgs1990]

I replaced our server back in December and visualized everything.

 

I chose to go for a bare metal install of Hyper-v Server, rather than installing server OS and the hyper v role. Once initial setup was done I've barely touched the CLI, as most things are controllable through hyper-v manager on a desktop.

 

The cost we had from VEEAM to cover 6 VM'S was excruciating so that got ruled out very quickly, we ended up getting Naviko as it installed straight on to the WD NAS we have, meaning no software on any of the servers and its a piece of cake to setup & restore machines if needed.

[leegcvcc]

regardless of anything else, i'd certainly provision another DC

[MartinT]

Seconded on 2nd DC, you always need one to be running while servicing the other. For the same reason, each DC needs to be on a different host.

[xxlonewolfxx123]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, am very keen on getting a second DC running however only currently have one physical server. As for the virtualization it sounds like running Hyper-V Server is the best route. Thanks.

[Bedders]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, am very keen on getting a second DC running however only currently have one physical server. As for the virtualization it sounds like running Hyper-V Server is the best route. Thanks.

 

If you're comfortable with the command line, sure! I believe it has a lower resources overhead compared to installing Windows Server 2016 then adding the Hyper-V role to that.

However think about what happens when you're no longer working there. Your school will need to employ someone who can (or can learn to) manage a headless Windows Server.

 

(Also, if you've got a spare PC that has 4GB RAM and a gigabit network card, you could probably spin that up with Server 2016 as a secondary Domain Controller, even if only temporarily.)

[JackCPickup]

If you're comfortable with the command line, sure! I believe it has a lower resources overhead compared to installing Windows Server 2016 then adding the Hyper-V role to that.

However think about what happens when you're no longer working there. Your school will need to employ someone who can (or can learn to) manage a headless Windows Server.

 

(Also, if you've got a spare PC that has 4GB RAM and a gigabit network card, you could probably spin that up with Server 2016 as a secondary Domain Controller, even if only temporarily.)

 

Practically no CLI interaction required. Manage it all from W10 with RSAT same as you would with any Windows Server.

 

Also, installing the other way (Windows Server 2016 w/ Hyper-V role) ties the licence to the hardware whereas Hyper-V Server keeps it free to move as required, which is one of the reasons virtualising is standard practice (licence abstraction).

Edited July 20, 2018 by JackCPickup