New server thoughts

[Domino]

The reason you don't have sims and exchange on the same server is simple, SIMS uses SQL server. Exchange and SQL both eat and extremely large amount of computer resources. Generally RAM, of course this won't be an issue if you have only SQL Express, as this will only use 1 core and 1GB ram. So it's just a question of making sure exchange doesn't enter that 1gb ram space nor use that core.

 

NTbackup is still in Windows 2008, I belive its an add-on now, however you can't backup to tape. Which is what you should be doing, if just for SIMS.

 

(Yes, I've just opened the box re backups, but I would always have an encrypted offsite backup of sims on a different media that what it is stored on. It's the safest way. End of).

 

You can run SIMS on a full SQL implemenatation though as well, doesn't neccessarily need to an SQL express instance.

[DAckroyd]

You can run SIMS on a full SQL implemenatation though as well, doesn't neccessarily need to an SQL express instance.

 

I don't think anyone was saying you can't but I'm guessing that as there are only 2 people connecting buying SQL would be a waste of money (only above 25users you need to buy it is it?)

[Butuz]

Thing is - there may be only two people connecting now - but what if in 6 months the school decides to put SIMS on every teacher PC for lesson registration etc.

 

This happened here - went from 10 SIMS users to 100 and I am only now able to replace the poor server that's been working it's littloe boots off.

 

Never spec a server for now, spec it for what you will probbly have in 3 years time.

 

SUN do make excellent servers! Hoping to have several SUN servers and a SUN SAN here soon.

 

Butuz

[matt40k]

setup an upto xcopy script on a memory stick and cycle which one you use - easier to take off site and cheaper than tapes

 

Your joking? You know memory sticks have a limited write before they die? Would never trusted USB pen drive.

 

You can use SQL Express or the full version (standard or Enterprise) it doesn't really matter. The only different is the "hardware" limits. Generally if you have lesson monitor you'll want full, if you had money to burn and got a 2xquad core server with 16gb ram just for sims, yes get full. If your school has say 100 teachers, I would get full as well, thinking long term, you're prob going to have a ~100 users on SIMS