Ideal setup for 20 computer NT network

For starters, I would suggest RAID 5 rather than RAID 0 or 1. Depending on the spec of PDC you buy, you could just use your PDC for everything including File & Print services (especially as you only have 20 users). However, having a BDC can help with things like logon validation, and you could perhaps use the PDC as a File server and the BDC as a print server... Whatever happens though, I do agree that an adequte backup device is essential.

Hi, Raid 5 is a good idea for data fault tolerance, but I also would use Raid 1 to mirror my system partition. If something happened to my boot files, I'd want to be able to boot the server. Be sure to make boot disks to access the mirrored partition. A BDC is a good idea - with 20 machines logons should not be much trouble, but you'd want the read only copy of the SAM so if something happened to the BDC, at least your users could log on (though they couldn't do something like change passwords). Also, the BDC could be promoted to PDC if you had to take the PDC off line for a while
Good backup equipment it crucial and you need not only a backup plan but also a test restore one. Periodically, test your backups to make sure they are okay. A crisis is not the time to test your backups. Also, do not use NTs backup software -- it has had issues with proper restores. Better to go with a third party such as Veritas.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Make sure you use a Hardware RAID solution. I also agree with the above answers that RAID 5 would be more flexable for you, as you can usually add more drives to a RAID 5 array, when more space is required.
Again, even with a good backup, I alwaysrecommend having a BDC in the environment. This guarentees you have a copy of all your security principles (the SAM) and gives you the flexability to distribute the work load on your network.

I would recommend both a PDC and a BDC, both using Raid 5. Also, a tape backup for both is recommended. I would setup the PDC with DHCP and WINS, and use it as a file/application server as needed. Then I would setup the BDC and use it as an exchange server.(You did not say what email you were using) You do not want to run everything on one server, especially if you are going to use exchange. You can use either DC as your print server. Which ever one is going to be your print server, I would add a second NIC and use it specifically for printing, setting up the printers on a 10. network. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me.

Woody

Hi,
Use Cisco 800 Router for Internet access & 24-port Cisco Catalyst Switch 10/100 mbps ethernet lan cards using IP as its main protocol. for LAN, then install..
1. A PDC - a Server class system with Raid5 on 8GB x 3 SCSI HDD & Backup Tape Drive of 8GB or more if required, This will be your file server. Has one lan card having static internal IP & can be your DHCP Serevr as well.
2. One BDC (doubles up as your Print Server & Proxy Server with a Firewall in it& DNS ), it can be a PC having 8 GB (mirored HDD) with 128MB Ram. Has two lan cards.. one for internal LAN & other for external Internet access. This system will be seen on the Internet ONLY !!

3. 20 client systems use Proxy's MSP client for Inetrenta access & DHCP as well.

I am sure this sufices your plan.
Akash

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