Best practices for server services?

[Resolver]

Anyone suggest a good best practices guide to the number of services to run on a server per number of users, per memory available? I've found plenty of "guides" and have read enough text books to know what the services do, but I want good solid numbers to use in laying out a network architecture.

 

I would like to say, "We have 200 users, which may grow to 400 in two years. This server can run Exchange, print services, etc. But past x employees, Exchange will need to be on its own server"..... etc etc.

 

Thanks for any links, or suggestions.

[ricki]

Hi

 

These might be some things to take in mind.

 

Try and have a minimum of 2 domain controller.

Try and have print server on a seperate server as printer drivers crash so only put things on this server that can go offline without being seen link wsus.

Always plan for more space than you think and have the backups space for that. We use nas servers for backup.

 

If I were you I would go with 2 good servers and a virtual server for a printer-server and wsus.

I would try and put a fibre backbone in the network between main cabinates.

Put a nas server on the far side of the network to backup to.

I am sorry I dont know about putting exchange on a virtual server sorry as I have never done that as I have only ever put in on a dedicated server.

 

Richard

[sukh]

1. You shouldnt host Exch with any other applications such as SQL/DC/GC etc.

2. You will run into a lot of issues if you combine the roles.

3. If you want to combine the roles, you may want to consider a SBS server rather than the full blown products.

4. Put Exch on it's own server and think about HA /DR if you want. For 200 users, I'd virtualise Exch (it is supported). NOt sure what verison, I assume 2010?

[Resolver]

Thanks for the input so far. I'm starting to think our desktop slowness is moreso related to networking lag than I'd previously thought. I plan to break out perfmon tomorrow and start checking stats. Any input to which of the many statistics to take a look at? I'm very curious about time spent processing exchange requests, AD requests, and print jobs....all taking place on the same server.