New Server advice

[rocknrollstar]

Hi,

 

We currently have about 64 laptops and 30 odd desktops. They all run Windows XP Pro.

We have 1 server that runs Windows 2000 (Yes, really!). Medium sized Junior School.

 

We need to upgrade our server to 2008, with correct licenses for everything. I'm happy to do imaging of the laptops/desktops, once a base is made, but couldn't setup the server.

 

Can anyone give me a advice on a quote for supplying a server and doing this work? We are based in North Hampshire. Looking to buy from April 1st!

 

Thanks in advance.

[danrhodes]

Try some local companies is prob the best bet?

[dhicks]

I'm happy to do imaging of the laptops/desktops, once a base is made, but couldn't setup the server.

 

Are you sure? If you can work a disk imaging system then you can install Windows Server - you just stick the install CD in, click a few buttons and you're done. Nothing complicated, no need to worry.

 

--

David Hicks

[danrhodes]

He's prob never done one before and wants peace of mind. but really it is very easy, no harder than setting up a normal OS I think.

 

D

[IanT]

Hi,

 

We currently have about 64 laptops and 30 odd desktops. They all run Windows XP Pro.

We have 1 server that runs Windows 2000 (Yes, really!). Medium sized Junior School.

 

We need to upgrade our server to 2008, with correct licenses for everything. I'm happy to do imaging of the laptops/desktops, once a base is made, but couldn't setup the server.

 

Can anyone give me a advice on a quote for supplying a server and doing this work? We are based in North Hampshire. Looking to buy from April 1st!

 

Thanks in advance.

 

contact a company called Lanmark Technical Serivces, they will be able to help you.

 

Lanmark : IT Support, Technical Services, Consultancy, Security, Monitoring, Remote, Hosting and Software.

[K.C.Leblanc]

Have you spoken to your local LEA or tried approaching some local secondaries. Edited March 5, 2010 by K.C.Leblanc

[dhicks]

Can anyone give me a advice on a quote for supplying a server and doing this work?

 

You could always buy the server, see how you get on with it, then pay for some extra help if you need it.

 

We are based in North Hampshire.

 

Where? I'm in Alton, probably not far away.

 

--

David Hicks

[hakko]

Maybe worth trying a *nix box?

[rocknrollstar]

Hi guys, thanks for your help. I can easily clean a machine and install a new OS, I setup a FOG server on Ubuntu, can image machines, install new hardware, do scripting and programming, use AD and GPOs, change network settings etc- fairly competent I suppose. Just never setup a Windows server, or configured it for a network.

 

I guess all I want to do is replicate the IP settings and user settings from the existing Win2K server onto the new server, and then I'll need to setup the GPOs etc.

 

I've got a short list of questions, and I reckon if I can get them answered, I'd be OK to do it myself (and possibly get the money for doing it!). Would it be ok to post them here? IE. anyone willing to help answer them?!

 

Cheers.

[ChrisH]

I will answer any questions you have.

[rocknrollstar]

Awesome, thanks Chris. Will put the kids to bed then write my list

[laserblazer]

To some extent it depends on how much time you have to do it. If you have the place to yourself for the holidays, then go for it. If they expect it up and running over a weekend then I'd get help, if only to have someone else to blame.

 

I got the LEA in when we upgraded from W2000 to 2003 on the admin server. They had all sorts of migration scripts to transfer everything and did it in a morning, leaving me the afternoon to sort out the critical workstations.

[rocknrollstar]

To some extent it depends on how much time you have to do it. If you have the place to yourself for the holidays, then go for it. If they expect it up and running over a weekend then I'd get help, if only to have someone else to blame.

 

I got the LEA in when we upgraded from W2000 to 2003 on the admin server. They had all sorts of migration scripts to transfer everything and did it in a morning, leaving me the afternoon to sort out the critical workstations.

 

Good advice- it would be a holiday job if I did it myself. Thankfully, it's nothing to do with the admin side of things, only the curriculum network.

[rocknrollstar]

Here we go!

 

Setup I would like:

- Windows Server 2008, single server

- Windows XP Clients

- 7 user accounts (admin, teacher, 5 student accounts)

 

1. What licenses do I need to buy? We use Civica as Hampshire have a ‘partnership’ with them, although I’m free to use others. I don’t have a clue about CALs.

 

2. What kind of reasonable spec server machine am I looking at for a junior school of 300 pupils, 120 laptops/pcs in total. Current one is P4 2.8Ghz, 3GB ram, 500GB HD. Does the job! Something like HP ProLiant ML115 G5 Server - Opteron 1354 2.2GHz QC / 1GB / NHP SATA 160GB / 1Yr - Ebuyer, with RAM upgrades?

 

3. What version of Server 2008 do I need to buy?

 

4. Are there any issues having a Win2008 server with XP clients?

 

5. What are the settings that I need to get off the W2k server, to copy onto the new server? IP addresses, domain names etc… This is the bit that I’m unsure of.

 

6. Is it possible to easily transfer the 7 users on the current system to the new system, or best to create new ones?

 

7. What are potential issues of transferring user files over to the new system? Thinking security, permissions, ntfs type stuff.

 

8. Will I need to rebuild all the client machines? Or can I take them off the domain, and then join them to the new one once the server is switched on?

 

9. Are there any definite no-no’s to watch out for?

 

Processes involved (in rough order):

• Backup everything
  
• Buy server, software and licenses
  
• Build the server and install Server 2008 (but not connected to network yet)
  
• Configure Server 2008 with domain and network settings
  
• Remove all pcs and laptops from the current domain
  
• Disconnect current W2k server from network
  
• Connect new server, ensure it’s up and running
  
• Ensure printers, login scripts, GPOs etc are setup
  
• Join laptops and PCs to domain
  
• Rejoice, or reboot…
  

 

Massive thanks for any input

[Danlewis3]

Get server install 2008 premote to pdc and schema master, swap dns and dhcp to the 2008 server.

get standard edition r2

and you will need new cals too.

[pritchardavid]

confused why only 5 students accounts?

 

Also you dont need to reimage the computers, use the same domain name, add the new server in, transfer the new roles etc then demote the old one.

[rocknrollstar]

we use 5 student accounts as each group in the school have their own login. Teachers find it easier to find work done by their children.

 

When you say transfer roles, what roles are these? And does 2008 makes this easy?

[mac_shinobi]

Have you spoken to your local LEA or tried approaching some local secondaries.

 

I think that was part of the reason for posting here as the OP thought that there may be someone on here who might be near by and could possibly offer assistance.

[Danlewis3]

Get your new server install server 2008

add it to the domain

run forest prep on the server 2003

install active directory on the server 2008

get them to sync

go to sites and services and make the 2008 the schema master and PDC

 

disable dhcp on server 2003 and set it up on new server

disable dns and you can create it on 2008 server.