Shall I buy a basic server for the 270?

Discussion in 'Windows Server 2003 / 2008 / 2012 / 2016' started by beaumontdvd, Feb 9, 2010.

  1. beaumontdvd

    beaumontdvd Kilobyte Poster

    487
    3
    32
    Hi everyone, Im studying the 270 and dont have to much excperience on servers so I was thinking should I buy a cheap one? If so does anyone have any good ideas of price ect..
    Can I still setup permissions ect for other pcs using the server if it runs server 2003?

    Thanks advance,

    Dave
     
    Certifications: 070-271, 070-272, (MCDST)Level 1,2,3 NVQ
    WIP: 070-270, A+, N+, S+,MCDST 7 Upgrade
  2. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

    6,281
    85
    174
    hi,

    I would suggest a good spec machine and run the server software as a virtual machine. You can apply for an actionpack (or whatever they are called these days!) and use virtual pc.

    servers need to be kept cool, use lots of electricity and generally noisy.

    let us know how you get on!
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  3. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

    5,257
    220
    236
    Congratulations on your MCSA mate! :rolleyes:


    JK! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCTS, i-Net+, CIW CI, Prince2, MSP, MCSD
  4. Shinigami

    Shinigami Megabyte Poster

    896
    40
    84
    Yup, you don't need dedicated server hardware to run a copy of Windows 200x Server Edition for testing purposes when studying for MCP's.

    The 270 especially will only skim the surface when it comes to servers, so it's not like you need to shell out tons of cash at this point.

    These days almost any of the cheapest machines you can find on the market will install a copy of 2000/2003 just fine, but you may be left with driver issues. So like Boycie mentioned, make a virtual machine instead using Virtual PC and you'll be doing just fine.

    A semi-decent machine with enough RAM to run 2-3 virtualized machines is all you really need. If you really wanted to go nuts, you could get hold of 2-3 netbooks worth a hundred quid (give or take... even less if you hunt ebay), and make a set of dedicated machines on a private lan (and hopefully manage to "push" the XP drivers to the 2003 installation), but you don't need anything elaborate in the beginning :)

    Maybe your current machine is enough to run a virtualized guest? What's the specs and what's the current ram usage?
     
    Certifications: MCSE, MCITP, MCDST, MOS, CIW, Comptia
    WIP: Win7/Lync2010/MCM
  5. beaumontdvd

    beaumontdvd Kilobyte Poster

    487
    3
    32
    Ok mate will do. The pc I will use is 3.4ghz dual core 2gb ram is that enough? Also I have a 1.8ghz desktop and 1.8ghz laptop maybe I could network them together? Thanks for everyones help.

    Repped :biggrin

    Dave
     
    Certifications: 070-271, 070-272, (MCDST)Level 1,2,3 NVQ
    WIP: 070-270, A+, N+, S+,MCDST 7 Upgrade
  6. Bongo_Fury

    Bongo_Fury Bit Poster

    24
    0
    14
    Maybe increase the ram to 4Gb? Windows 2003 server likes about 1Gb - on VM Ware anyway :)
     
    Certifications: A+ MCDST
    WIP: N+
  7. Shinigami

    Shinigami Megabyte Poster

    896
    40
    84
    Sounds like you got plenty of machines... If you have half a gig of free ram you'll run a 2003 machine just fine.
     
    Certifications: MCSE, MCITP, MCDST, MOS, CIW, Comptia
    WIP: Win7/Lync2010/MCM
  8. beaumontdvd

    beaumontdvd Kilobyte Poster

    487
    3
    32
    Yeah ok :) is it better to run the client pcs on the same O/S?
     
    Certifications: 070-271, 070-272, (MCDST)Level 1,2,3 NVQ
    WIP: 070-270, A+, N+, S+,MCDST 7 Upgrade
  9. beaumontdvd

    beaumontdvd Kilobyte Poster

    487
    3
    32
    Ok, thanks I have server 03 running virtually upstairs when I was playing about 8) So I will reset and use that. I will let you know how it goes, Thanks again mate,

    Repped
    Dave
     
    Certifications: 070-271, 070-272, (MCDST)Level 1,2,3 NVQ
    WIP: 070-270, A+, N+, S+,MCDST 7 Upgrade
  10. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

    6,281
    85
    174
    no prob's, have fun!
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  11. derkit

    derkit Gigabyte Poster

    1,480
    58
    112
    Beau - for info, I have a 2.1Ghz laptop with 4Gb of RAM sat in it - I'm currently running 2x 2003 servers and 2x XP Pro clients - as well as a pdf open, Mind Manager and this window! All this is running on a XP Pro base - plenty of RAM left to throw around.

    I had the opportunity to grab a load of old laptops from work to do this purpose - after not having all the drivers for 2003 on them (obviously as who would install a server OS on a laptop?!) I ditched this idea and just beefed up my own laptop.

    I use VMWare workstation and the "Tools" ie drivers support anything that I've thrown at it so far.
     
    Certifications: MBCS, BSc(Hons), Cert(Maths), A+, Net+, MCDST, ITIL-F v3, MCSA
    WIP: 70-293
  12. beaumontdvd

    beaumontdvd Kilobyte Poster

    487
    3
    32
    Thanks for the info mate, I am currently running server 03 and two xp pro workstations virtually, Just playing about with the disk quotas for users and warning msgs as I have never done this on a server before. Seems to be going alright though. Thanks for the advice.

    Regards,

    Dave
     
    Certifications: 070-271, 070-272, (MCDST)Level 1,2,3 NVQ
    WIP: 070-270, A+, N+, S+,MCDST 7 Upgrade
  13. supernova

    supernova Gigabyte Poster

    1,422
    21
    80
    Technet would be the appropriate subscription
     
    Certifications: Loads
    WIP: Lots

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.