Hi guys. Need some advice! Currently managing a small MAT with two schools. Current Broadband and filtering contract ends 2017. Looking to use this as an opportunity to change provider and provide better network services for our schools.
Current situation:
Two schools each with their own isolated network, running own AD, File/Print, MIS. 10mb internet.
I really want to centralise services as much as possible and want to investigate
Hosting some services with Azure and /or
Co-location of central services in a data centre.
My initial thought is:
Move to internet provider with 100mb bearer for each school and MPLS network, allowing the schools to talk to each other, talk to HQ and add other schools quickly to network if we expand.
Firewall at internet breakout point on MPLS network.
Filtering – unsure. Cloud or on-premises?
Build a single domain for the MAT. Host the primary DC(s) either in co-located data centre or in Azure.
Host centralised applications such as finance in co-located data centre or in Azure.
Rebuild servers at each school. Single server at each school / node running hyper-v with 4 VMS. DC, File/Print, Applications (MDT, WSUS, AV, School apps), MIS. Separate OUs for each school.
Schools backup to local NAS and then trickle off backups to data centre / Azure using Veeam or similar.
Migrate additional services such as File / Storage to data centre / Azure once network is built and stable.
Questions:
Is it realistic to use Azure to host services such as AD / Domain Controllers?
Is it realistic to use Azure to host MIS (SIMS)?
Is there a method to accurately predict Azure costs?
Any recommended providers for broadband / MPLS network / co-location? Education experience preferred.
Is the single domain option realistic? I like the idea of a single pane to manage AD.
Grateful for some input while I’m gathering my thoughts / getting together a plan of action. Anyone have any similar experiences in their MAT?
