Mini Home Project - advice needed

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Hi guys, looking for some advice on how setup a virtual project of mine.

I would like to setup and install the following software:

Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows 7 x2
Exchange Server 2010
Sharepoint Server 2010
SQL Server 2008 R2

At this moment i am complete clueless on how to install and configure Exchange, Sharepoint and SQL. But its a good challenge for me.

What i would like to know is if you have the option, how would you set up the virtual network.

Getting the software is no problem (or any other required software) as i have technet subscription.

Hardware for the virtual network is also no problem.

Dave

 

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Install virtual pc
set up virtual hard drive
download server 2003 enterprise 6 month trial from microsoft or technet and install
configure dc
install xp pro worstations from ms press books after creating more virtual hard drives.

bobs your unckle you have a virtual network.,

 

i just did exactly that but with windows 7. Got it to join the domain so all looking good so far.

Trying to install exchange server 2010 but having no luck. Says need a OS so i take it i have to install exchange ontop of server 2008?

 

Correct, it's a server application, not a server OS.

 

SQL Server, Exchange, Sharepoint are all applications that run on Windows. The server naming is just marketing and also clarifies the part they play in the traditional client-server model.

The apps are comprised of exes, dlls, services, data files etc as normal.

You could run em all on one server but it would tend to be a bad idea in the real world. So you could create three server VM's or just one and turn on and off the services as you please. In a small home lab most of the time they will be sitting there doing nothing anyway.

If you wanna learn the admin stuff you'll need a decent virtual network with more machines as you'll want to test clustering, replication and failover etc.

If you really want to get into sharepoint or sql dev you probably want a native install. SQL Express can install on any windows. You can install developer and standard SQL Server on professional client versions of windows. The other apps require a Server OS, again this is largely marketing and licensing.

 

Definitly want to try some admin of these applications. Especially exchange.

So i need four windows server 2008. Do i need to install AD on all four?

 

I think SharePoint 2010 is 64bit only too.