Please help me, I've spent well over 40 hours trying to figure this out. I think many other small businesses may have similar questions.
I own a small business with a small network (wordprocessing/in house office accounting). I would really appreciate some advice on upgrading my hardware, that would be nt 4 server compatable. Sorry this is so long, but I guess defining my current system and needs is important. For the impatient, please skip to my target system and Qs at the end of all this.
We currently run a server with 5 workstations. It was assembled in 1997. The basic hardware is as follows:
Server
WIN NT 4.0 SP4 server
-atrend vx chipset motherboard & P 166 processor and 64 k ram
-adaptec 2940u scsi controller
-4.3 quantum Ultra narrow scssi HD
-3com NIC
-seagate 24000n DAT 4GB tape backup with
execview 6.0
-SMC3616tc 12 port hub
workstations
Win 95 OS
-atrend atrend vx motherboards & 133 to 166 processor with 16 to 64 meg ram
We only run wordproccesing, client management, and accounting software (it's fairly complicated accounting with time/billing, ledgers for about 18 bank accounts, finacial statemtns etc). The programs are on the workstations, and shared data files on the server.
I'm about to install a shared cable internet connection through a router.
My problems with the system are these.
1. On the workstations, the 2 or 3 programs are usually open, and they often crash (but only rarely does the win 95 os crash.)
2. The accounting program runs are slow to processing any type of data.
3 The server has rarely if ever crashed. It is on 24/7 for four years. Our data is cricial, as is keeping the system going. If it were to be down for more than a couple hours on a weekday it would be a disastor.
I hate the idea of having to change hardware, then be told it will only run with WIN 2000 or XP OS, and then be told the application programs must be upgraded to run on a new os. I don't need nor want state of the art today, but maybe something that was outstanding 1 or 2 years ago.
I plan to upgrade the workstaions to NT workstation, on a motherboard based on the sis 630 chipset so all is fully integrated (ASUS cusi m or fx), with 128 meg ram, and put in new 10 gig hardrives (the old ones are slowley crashing and only programs and tiny bits of data files reside on the workstations). I understand this is a reliable setup, on which I could one day install WIN 2k pro or xp if I had to.
For the server, I'm having difficulty. The NT compatabilty list at microsoft seems either to only deal with much older hardware, or only tests newer hardware on WIN 2k/XP.
I want reliability, redundancy, and speed knowing it is only word processing/accounting. I would like to be able to change the OS to WIN 2k server or xp down the road. I really want value, and although I can stratch the budget if I had to, I think I can stay in the 1000 - 1500 range. I rather take the money home.
I think I only need a processor of about a P III 700 to 1.0 g. Would ram of 256k - 512.
Can't decide if scsi is neccesary, I understand todays IDE harddrives are faster than my old scsi HD.
Here's what I'm thinking.
I want reliability, redundancy, and speed knowing it is only word processing/accounting. I would like to be able to change the OS to WIN 2k server or xp down the road. I really want value, and although I can stratch the budget if I had to, I think I can stay in the 1000 - 1500 range. I rather take the money home.
I think I only need a processor of about a P III 700 to 1.0 g. Would ram of 256k - 512.
Can't decide if scsi is neccesary, I understand todays IDE harddrives are faster than my old scsi HD.
TARGET SYSTEM: reliable 24/7 with redundancy
Here's what I'm thinking.
BX chipset, on a first class motherboard. ASUS CUBX-E or something.
256 meg SDRAM at 100 hz.
Dual 30-40 gig IDE Harddrives mirrored with a Promise raid ATA 100 card. Maybe go to scsi down the road 3-6 months.
D-link busmaster 10/100 NIC
Use old tape backup system (seagate 24000n DAT 4GB tape backup with execview 6.0)
New 300 watt ATX 19" case
UPS of about 1200w.
Could someone please advise about the following:
1. Will NT 4.0 run on the CUBX-E motherboard. Is there another more modern motherboard (top name board with tons of ongoing support)that NT will run on, that might support PC133 SD RAM without overclocking. I would buy one with even a P IV processor, if I knew that WIN NT would run on it. Than down the road could run WIN 2kxp server. I don't mind spemding an extra 100-200 on the motherboard/CPU combo, if it's NT compatable.
2. what make Hardrives are extremley reliable that will be recognized by NT server.
3 if anyone runs a good reliable server within my needs, please post or email your full configuration for me.
4 I know advertising is not on, but if a dealer wants to advise me here or privatley, thats cool to.
Thankyou to anyone who managed to read this, and could please comment.