Server software for small office

We are currently using linux server software on a pc in our office.  Unfortunately, the volunteer who used to maintain this server for us is no longer available, and I know next to nothing about Linux.  I'd like to move to Windows software--I think I can manage or learn to manage it on my own.  We are a 5 person office using the server mainly to share files.  What software would you suggest. 

Well, depending on what the system has for processor, memory and hard drives, I'd recommend a simple Windows Server installation.  I'm not sure which version would work best for you, but I'm going to assume you could probably run Windows Server 2003.  It has wizards to set up the File sharing Role.  The wizards in Windows Server 2008 are even more comprehensive and easier to use, but Server 2008 has more robust hardware requirements.

You may or may not want to implement Active Directory.  It could make managing the computers easier for you, but the time to implement it well might be prohibitive for you.  since you only have 5 staff it might not be necessary.  Take a look at a couple Active Directory books in your local bookstore before you make the decision on whether or not it would benefit you.  I personally always set it up, but I'm pretty familiar with it.

If you are eligible, I would go with Small Business Server which is offered here on TechSoup. Very easy  to set up and manage. And it has wizards for most of the routine configuration and setup tasks which make it much less painful and time consuming to get things done so that you can get back to your ministry work.

Hardware wise, essentially any PC made within the last couple of years should be sufficient for 5 users. Though you might want to get a beefier machine to handle potential growth. The two main things to look for are hard drive space and memory - both of which a server can never have enough.

At today's prices, perhaps get 2 of the same machine. The second one need not have as much memory or hard drive space, but could serve as a backup machine that could be quickly restored to should your main machine fail.

Also make sure you consider some sort of backup software and a plan for keeping the backups safe.

If all you are going to do is share files, you could also consider a NAS box, which is basically what you have with the Linux server now, but with vendor support. 

Iomega has several products in the line, I'm using one for one of our remote offices to provide file sharing.

If you are just sharing files in a public folder another option is the BSD based

http://www.freenas.org/ storage software.

Again these are not Windows solutions but are options if all you see for the immediate future is file sharing, and it is not based on a "roll your own" Linux server installation.

Dave

Well, Small Business Server 2008 won't install on your server if it doesn't have at least 4GB RAM.  Keep that in mind.  Small Business Server 2003 has lighter requirements.

How much ram would I need for the 2003 version?

As with all things, it depends. According to Microsoft (see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc708075.aspx) it can install with as little as 256mb. But, that's not really practical because by the time you install antivirus software, and perhaps things like DHCP/DNS/printer sharing (?), you probably want at least 768mb. 1-2 mb would be better.

John

We are running SBS 2003. Someone helping me to set it up relied on the book Windows Small Business Server 2003 Best Practices by Harry Brelsford (2005), which says one economizing on SBS 2003, serving up to 20 clients, can run on it a Pentium 4; I don't remember his recommendation about memory. Now, in 2009, it would probably not make sense to use an old P4 for a server.

If you're going to mess with SBS 2003, those "wizards" are really village idiots and will NOT lead you to a successful installation; if you rely on the "wizards," unless you are really lucky, you will regret it. Nor will some of Microsoft's books, that seem to be exactly tailored for the innocent techie, guide you to an easy installation.

If you have only 5 users, and you only want to share files, why not look into Windows Home Server. It takes a "village idiot" to set it up (see last post!

I would suggest purchasing the "MediaSmart Server sold by HP, with Windows Home Server  (WHS)pre-installed. Add a second hard drive for the equivalent of RAID 1 redundancy.

An added benefit is that you can back up each of the 5 workstations - in their entirety - onto the WHS, and it backs up any changes every night!. If one of them self-destructs, you can restore from the WHS (provided it's the same hardware)  operating system, files, programs, desktop wallpaper - the whole shot!. This whole package will cost you less than $700!

BTW, I am using WHS with several of my Small Business Server clients to back up critical workstations.  Already used this twice to rebuild workstations in about 20 minutes vs. 1.5-2 hours to reload XP, load and tweak all programsw, re-build all special mapping, settings, Outlook shortcuts, Internet favorites, etc.

Hope this helps.

Bob Hood

Hood Consulting Group

Hi Bob,

WHS has imaging capability?  Is it using Remote Installation Services or something else?  And why is it only included in WHS?!

WHS doesnt support Domain, GPO, Active Directory etc......

It only run in a workgroup, sharing files, media and printers.  Almost like a NAS with a printer attach.