Is a second server necessary?

[CM]

Hi, Can anyone comment on the following set up? On a small network of 30
clients we have one server which is an 800Mhz CPU with 256MB of RAM and three hard disks which are 60GB each, only a small fraction of which is being used. The server runs 2K server with XP Pro on the clients. There are approximately 750 user accounts. We want to run Exchange Server to provide email for the user accounts. The minimum system requirements for Exchange seem very low but we have been advised to get a new server. The server is providing file storage and an Internet connection for the clients and I'm not aware of any issues relating to slow network connections. Also, is Exchange a difficult piece of software to set up and use?



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Cody Morgan

[j_sanborn]

I would set up a separate server for the Exchange.
It will be more efficient in the long run and allow you to increase the number of clients in the future.
E-Mail Servers can carry a big load, so there is no need in bogging down
your main server, plus if your main server goes down all of your services will be lost...apps., files, e-mail, etc.
Just my opinion.

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("If at first you don't succeed, suck harder, then you will succeed!" cited Curly Howard of the 3 Stoogies)

[Ghost_Hacker]

I agree that you should not install Exchange on a Domain controller ( Which I assume your lone Win2k server is). It can be done but isn't recommended.

is Exchange a difficult piece of software to set up and use?

No, not really. But you might want to pick up a book on administering Exchange anyway as there are many options and features you may want to configure.

You might find it hard to connect the exchange server to the internet depending on how you "share" your internet connection. As you know, your Exchange services must be avaiable from the internet and DNS entries will need to be created that point either to the "gateway" box(IE: your Win2k server which would be setup to "foreward" the request on to the exchange server) or to the Exchange server directly.

Good Luck http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[CM]

Thanks to both of you for your informative replies.

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Cody Morgan