Advice on Server and Server Software

LazyLion

LazyLion

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Hey guys... Our company has to upgrade our server for Pastel Computing for a 5 station system.

Please see the attached two quotes...
http://www.quickshare.co.za/files/5gsif0se/Server.pdf.html
http://www.quickshare.co.za/files/rh72yrdm/Software.pdf.html

The one is for the server -seems like he is offering us a refurbished server?
Do we really need that Cisco firewall?
Are those prices reasonable?
Then for the software, do we really need the Symantec endpoint protection bundle?
Can we not get away with using MS Security Essentials or AVG Free?

Thanks for your advice.
 
Check the hardware specs for that Server. I would not recommend it.
Also stay away from Symantec products .... they slow machines down horribly.

I have just supplied a machine to my auditors to use as a Pastel server running on Windows 7 64 bit. They have about 20 users connecting into Pastel and are very happy.

If you want PM me your email address and I will mail you the hardware specs for what I supplied which I am sure you can source in Gauteng. Also my solution will be a whole lot cheaper and it works well.
 
The Software quote is a bit rediculous.

I believe Server licenses - was at least so with Server 2003, came with 5 CAL's....

So check on the extra?

Why if he is installing Server 2008 - is he charging you for a 2003 media kit?

At the price for endpoint - i'd rather get a NOD 32 setup...
//personal experience and not liking symantec :P

IIRC the PIX range of cisco is no longer being made - but simply supported for a few more years?

I assume you have 5 pc's you wish to add to the domain?

With regard to using MSE - what OS are you running the 5pc's on?

You cannot simply go by the name... tell him you want specifications on the configuration of the HP.

Last question, is the company intending on growing significantly or expanding? if not - why go with a server at all. A standard pc might suite your needs a lot better....
 
You guys know me. I think of Microsoft users what Microsoft users think of Mac users. Unfortunately I host many gAySP and .NET websites and run the web server edition of 2008 with the latest MS SQL. Its a Plesk server so runs MySQL, mail server as well. It came with Symantec Endpoint installed and honestly its pretty decent. It even picks up when user emails are infected. Its also non-intrusive. Ive never had a good thing to say about Symantec, but my experience with it is that it protects that server well against virus`s. Thats my only experience with that particular product and I am worried but impressed. Still run Panda cloud on work stations.

You dont need that firewall.

For 5 workstation server just get: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/servers/proliantml110/index.html - Theyre under R3000 (were selling for R2000 at one stage).

I setup a 5 pc network recently. It was budget so one 2008 server running Pastel and stuff, 5 workstations all with ubuntu, that use terminal services client to rdp into the server. Theres a terminal servers hack that lets you allow as many RDP sessions as you like :D
 
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Thanks guys! I appreciate the feedback. Any more tips are welcome.

At this stage (and with your advice) I think I will custom build the server by getting quotes from local suppliers.
I will also source the needed software and then ask someone to come in and set it all up for us. We don't mind paying the callout fees for the setup.
That guy estimated 15 hours labour time... is that reasonable?
 
15 hours, could be reasonable - if he was setting up exchange, and migrating everyone onto the domain... more info needed...
 
Installing Pastel and configuration thereof should not be more than 2 hours.

Based on your original quote using 2003/2008 server in a domain configuration would take longer due to the fact the workstations would have to be reconfigured to connect to the domain (which could be a nightmare in itself) and setting up the users on the server etc.

I think the 15 hour labour quote is allowing for unforeseen circumstances .... in the real world 6-8 hours would seem more reasonable.

Looking at how low the labour rate is on that quote, I am bit suspicious. Could be more a case of offer a low labour rate and take ones time for maximum profit. I could be wrong of course and just being my usual cynical self.:wtf:
 
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation @ R1800
Server Tower ProLiant ML110 G6 Pentium Intel G6950 (2.80GHz) @ R3800
Extra Hard drive for mirror @ R500
NOD 32 Antivirus 5 user with RAS @ R1450

Above is what I will do
 
How about MS Small Business Server?
Appropriate hardware.
Don't forget backups! This is their enterprise server and if they lose data the business can die. If using MS Win SBS, I'd recommend Acronis Backup & Recovery SBS Edition, plus an additional 1TB drive in the server and a USB-attach 2.5-inch drive of say 350GB, for off-site backup storage (easily slips into a pocket for easy portability). Every single day of my life I talk to people who lost their data - burglary/theft of entire server/PCs (increasingly common), fire, catastrophic hardware failure, malware, etc. No sound backup strategy is a certain recipe for major pain at some future date.
 
ITCynic said:
Check the hardware specs for that Server. I would not recommend it.
Also stay away from Symantec products .... they slow machines down horribly.

I have just supplied a machine to my auditors to use as a Pastel server running on Windows 7 64 bit. They have about 20 users connecting into Pastel and are very happy.

If you want PM me your email address and I will mail you the hardware specs for what I supplied which I am sure you can source in Gauteng. Also my solution will be a whole lot cheaper and it works well.
Click to expand...

This is really bad advice to install a desktop OS for server use. You probably using a desktop computer as well.
 
TheGuy said:
This is really bad advice to install a desktop OS for server use. You probably using a desktop computer as well.
Click to expand...

Maybe you should find out how Pastel works BEFORE knocking a viable solution.

FYI Pastel uses its application and database engine on the workstation. ie 10 x Pastel users = 10 installations on 10 workstations.

All that Pastel queries on the server is a license key.

So buying an expensive Server OS (10 user MS 2008 Server +/- R 7,500) is something only a misinformed person would do. In this instance, for 20 users, one would spend more than 15K just on the server with licensing.

Are you possibly a dealer who rips people off selling Server OS's when they don't need it ?
 
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