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Help with configuration

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by dojan

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We are running 15 computers with Win2k and are about to buy new server(s). We want to run Win2k, Exchange server, Veritas backup and a firewall or proxy server. Should we get one or two servers????

10 replies

by curacao_dejavu

2 servers,
reason 1: server is a the backup for server 1.
if you have only 1 server and that one goes down, your clients can not login.
reason 2. if you install everyting on 1 server if you need to do maintanance for backup for example (and reboot), the exchange and internet users will get effected.
reason 3. security.
install the proxy on 1 server and the exchange behind the proxy.

(actually i would have another small box just for proxy in a standalone domain, if that one gets hacked, it wont compromise the security of the other (real)domain.
that option is up to you, I will sent the documentation regarding that later.

regards,

Leopold.

by mshavrov

Actually, in addition to answer #1, you should use 3 servers as it was told in #1. But I would recommend to install Firewall (and better to use commerical software). Proxy server has less security ability than real firewall. And this computer shouldnot have installed anything but OS and Firewall. It may be not very powerful computer. If you have some more money install Solaris+Check Point Firewall. It would be more stable and can work on x86 machine. Personally I don't trust Microsoft to be installed as OS for Firewall. Or even install Cisco or Nokia Firewall. And #1 is right that you should have 2 servers to provide backup server for domain information.

Good luck.

by dojan

Thanks for your answers.

I?ve just bought 2 servers. I will run the first as a DC and backupserver with BackupExec and all the agents needed (JESUS they?re expensive). The second will be a BDC and I will also run Exchangeserver, printserver and faxserver. I think I?ll wait a couple of days for a firewall/proxy, I?m not sure what to buy yet.

by mike mullins

For that small a setup. I'd buy a Symantec Velociraptor Firewall Appliance. A 25 user version should cost around $2800. It's stable easy to configure and easy to upgrade as the site grows.

by griz1975

I'd suggest:

1 server for a Domain Controller, WINS, DNS, DHCP, Printer Server, etc functions.

1 server for a Exchange Server (and backup server if you cannot afford a 3rd server).

1 server for backups (if you can afford this, can be a low end system).

Instead of buying a software based firewall solution, I would definately go with a hardware appliance solution. Check out SonicWall, Raptor or Cisco for some solutions. The overall most economical and easiest solution would be a sonicwall. They are great! Think about it...if you have a software driven Firewall, you will also need to support the PC's hardware and OS.

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