Server/Drive Speed

I have taken on a client who had a Dell Precision Workstation (2.x GHz P4
with 1 GB RAM) converted to a server (SBS 2003). They have 2 IDE hard drives
(1 for OS and one for Data).

They seem to be having a lot of random problems with email: Exchange and
SMTP services stopping or not starting, Queues occasionally not emptying, ...

Can hardware speed have effects on such things. I am considering suggesting
that we flatten the server and start over, or that they put it back into
service as a workstation and buy an new "SERVER" with RAID drives, etc.

Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Also they are fairly low budget;
do current SATA drives perform adequately to handle all of the tasks
necessary for domain control and email. My best performing accounts have
SCSI or SAS, but not sure they can swing the extra there.

Thanks
--
Bob Showalter
Packer International

Russ
Wed Jul 09 11:30:33 PDT 2008

There are so many things wrong with this I don't know where to begin
First of course you know that a PC is NOT a Server and Not be Confused with
one.

You don't mention how many users, but I hope VERY little with this
configuration.

I'll answer the issues first are there errors in the logs etc?

I'd First Suggest a NEW Server with RAID1 at least on it.

If no budget now, Then Plan for a new server For the Next Quarter.
2-3K for hardware

And yes hardware can effect things.
THE IDE Drives can slow you down big time, and should be thrown out...
1GB is a Big Slowdown also.

I'm assuming there is only about 5 people on this PC (Cough Cough server)
So Here it goes Since it's a PC you really don't have much to go on.

Since this is a PC and not configured Correctly to begin with I could
probably Assume that there is NO BACKUP
Currently Happening on the Server?
Buy a 500GB USB External Hard Drive and start Backups NOW
(I would suggest more but I'm assuming a near Zero Budget.)
The PC probably has 1.0 USB and I'd suggest a 2.0 USB Drive

Next Bump the PC up to max Memory. (Probably 2 MAX)
Get some from http://www.oempcworld.com

Buy TWO SATAII Drives and a RAID1 Card install them and move everything
over.
(This Can Be difficult because of the RAID Switch and drivers.)

Since you are going to budget new server the next Quarter
Get Two SATAII Drives and a controller card if it needs it and move data
over.

My Best Solution is to Buy a new server that's not a PC
and Move everything over...

But this should get you going.

Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Small Business Specialist
World Wide Remote SBS2003 Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Get Help Now! http://www.crossloop.com/SBITSdotBiz


"BobS" <BobS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F6C8EB4B-ACCA-43EF-A9B3-E8E54B0B253A@microsoft.com...
>I have taken on a client who had a Dell Precision Workstation (2.x GHz P4
> with 1 GB RAM) converted to a server (SBS 2003). They have 2 IDE hard
> drives
> (1 for OS and one for Data).
>
> They seem to be having a lot of random problems with email: Exchange and
> SMTP services stopping or not starting, Queues occasionally not emptying,
> ...
>
> Can hardware speed have effects on such things. I am considering
> suggesting
> that we flatten the server and start over, or that they put it back into
> service as a workstation and buy an new "SERVER" with RAID drives, etc.
>
> Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Also they are fairly low
> budget;
> do current SATA drives perform adequately to handle all of the tasks
> necessary for domain control and email. My best performing accounts have
> SCSI or SAS, but not sure they can swing the extra there.
>
> Thanks
> --
> Bob Showalter
> Packer International

Merv
Wed Jul 09 13:14:42 PDT 2008

Hi Bob,

Thinking out loud...

1 GB is a little light, especially if they are hosting their own Exchange
mail. IDE can be a problem (slow) if one of the drives is put on the same
channel as the CDrom drive. However, I doubt that this is the whole
problem. Sounds more like configuration or software issue. Maybe run SBS
2003 Best Practices Analyzer to see if it can find any problems. (Of
course, also check the event logs).

A wipe and reinstall may be OK but the users' current profiles will go away
on their desktops if you don't take the proper precautions.

A new server sounds like the best approach if you have to reinstall (so you
can get away from a "desktop" server). SATA drives will work fine if they
don't have a bunch of users or heavy usage needs. You could get a Dell
PowerEdge with 2-250 GB drives, 2 GB RAM, a dual core Pentium processor,
single NIC, no monitor for about $720 (without tax). You could then do a
swing migration to the new hardware (to preserve Active Directory and take
the workstations out of the equation) or just do a fresh install on the new
hardware asnd migrate the data and profiles.

--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================

"BobS" <BobS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F6C8EB4B-ACCA-43EF-A9B3-E8E54B0B253A@microsoft.com...
>I have taken on a client who had a Dell Precision Workstation (2.x GHz P4
> with 1 GB RAM) converted to a server (SBS 2003). They have 2 IDE hard
> drives
> (1 for OS and one for Data).
>
> They seem to be having a lot of random problems with email: Exchange and
> SMTP services stopping or not starting, Queues occasionally not emptying,
> ...
>
> Can hardware speed have effects on such things. I am considering
> suggesting
> that we flatten the server and start over, or that they put it back into
> service as a workstation and buy an new "SERVER" with RAID drives, etc.
>
> Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Also they are fairly low
> budget;
> do current SATA drives perform adequately to handle all of the tasks
> necessary for domain control and email. My best performing accounts have
> SCSI or SAS, but not sure they can swing the extra there.
>
> Thanks
> --
> Bob Showalter
> Packer International

BobS
Wed Jul 09 14:06:01 PDT 2008

Thanks to both of you (Russ & Merv) for your replies. What you are saying is
nothing I didn't expect. It was the path I am hoping to take (a new server
and then a Swing Migration for the AD).

To answer a few of your questions in case there is something else you feel
is important:

Yes, backups are being done; at least weekly on an external hard drive.

The account has 4 users (5 if you count me for administration)

I will be trying to convince them to go with Xeon, 2G, RAID1 w/ 2 - 250 GB
SATA, 60 GB OS partition, not sure about backup solution yet

There are some errors in the event log that I am trying to trace down to
find the cause such as SMTP service has stopped. Or Exchange Management
Service has stopped. There are other Exchange errors also showing up, but I
can't log on to their server right now so will post those later if you think
they could be pertinent.

Again, thanks for the input and response.
--
Bob Showalter
Packer International


"Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" wrote:

> Hi Bob,
>
> Thinking out loud...
>
> 1 GB is a little light, especially if they are hosting their own Exchange
> mail. IDE can be a problem (slow) if one of the drives is put on the same
> channel as the CDrom drive. However, I doubt that this is the whole
> problem. Sounds more like configuration or software issue. Maybe run SBS
> 2003 Best Practices Analyzer to see if it can find any problems. (Of
> course, also check the event logs).
>
> A wipe and reinstall may be OK but the users' current profiles will go away
> on their desktops if you don't take the proper precautions.
>
> A new server sounds like the best approach if you have to reinstall (so you
> can get away from a "desktop" server). SATA drives will work fine if they
> don't have a bunch of users or heavy usage needs. You could get a Dell
> PowerEdge with 2-250 GB drives, 2 GB RAM, a dual core Pentium processor,
> single NIC, no monitor for about $720 (without tax). You could then do a
> swing migration to the new hardware (to preserve Active Directory and take
> the workstations out of the equation) or just do a fresh install on the new
> hardware asnd migrate the data and profiles.
>
> --
> Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
> ============================
>
> "BobS" <BobS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:F6C8EB4B-ACCA-43EF-A9B3-E8E54B0B253A@microsoft.com...
> >I have taken on a client who had a Dell Precision Workstation (2.x GHz P4
> > with 1 GB RAM) converted to a server (SBS 2003). They have 2 IDE hard
> > drives
> > (1 for OS and one for Data).
> >
> > They seem to be having a lot of random problems with email: Exchange and
> > SMTP services stopping or not starting, Queues occasionally not emptying,
> > ...
> >
> > Can hardware speed have effects on such things. I am considering
> > suggesting
> > that we flatten the server and start over, or that they put it back into
> > service as a workstation and buy an new "SERVER" with RAID drives, etc.
> >
> > Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Also they are fairly low
> > budget;
> > do current SATA drives perform adequately to handle all of the tasks
> > necessary for domain control and email. My best performing accounts have
> > SCSI or SAS, but not sure they can swing the extra there.
> >
> > Thanks
> > --
> > Bob Showalter
> > Packer International
>
>
>

Leythos
Wed Jul 09 14:28:48 PDT 2008

In article <A33D2399-67D4-4F6D-838C-DC0250C941AA@microsoft.com>,
BobS@discussions.microsoft.com says...
> I will be trying to convince them to go with Xeon, 2G, RAID1 w/ 2 - 250 GB
> SATA, 60 GB OS partition, not sure about backup solution yet

3GB would provide the most performance for the cost, 4GB if you are also
running SQL on the same box.

--
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

Merv
Wed Jul 09 14:31:55 PDT 2008

Yep. Might as well post all the errors so we can see if we can find any
answers.

--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================

"BobS" <BobS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A33D2399-67D4-4F6D-838C-DC0250C941AA@microsoft.com...
> Thanks to both of you (Russ & Merv) for your replies. What you are saying
> is
> nothing I didn't expect. It was the path I am hoping to take (a new
> server
> and then a Swing Migration for the AD).
>
> To answer a few of your questions in case there is something else you feel
> is important:
>
> Yes, backups are being done; at least weekly on an external hard drive.
>
> The account has 4 users (5 if you count me for administration)
>
> I will be trying to convince them to go with Xeon, 2G, RAID1 w/ 2 - 250 GB
> SATA, 60 GB OS partition, not sure about backup solution yet
>
> There are some errors in the event log that I am trying to trace down to
> find the cause such as SMTP service has stopped. Or Exchange Management
> Service has stopped. There are other Exchange errors also showing up, but
> I
> can't log on to their server right now so will post those later if you
> think
> they could be pertinent.
>
> Again, thanks for the input and response.
> --
> Bob Showalter
> Packer International
>
>
> "Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Hi Bob,
>>
>> Thinking out loud...
>>
>> 1 GB is a little light, especially if they are hosting their own Exchange
>> mail. IDE can be a problem (slow) if one of the drives is put on the
>> same
>> channel as the CDrom drive. However, I doubt that this is the whole
>> problem. Sounds more like configuration or software issue. Maybe run
>> SBS
>> 2003 Best Practices Analyzer to see if it can find any problems. (Of
>> course, also check the event logs).
>>
>> A wipe and reinstall may be OK but the users' current profiles will go
>> away
>> on their desktops if you don't take the proper precautions.
>>
>> A new server sounds like the best approach if you have to reinstall (so
>> you
>> can get away from a "desktop" server). SATA drives will work fine if
>> they
>> don't have a bunch of users or heavy usage needs. You could get a Dell
>> PowerEdge with 2-250 GB drives, 2 GB RAM, a dual core Pentium processor,
>> single NIC, no monitor for about $720 (without tax). You could then do a
>> swing migration to the new hardware (to preserve Active Directory and
>> take
>> the workstations out of the equation) or just do a fresh install on the
>> new
>> hardware asnd migrate the data and profiles.
>>
>> --
>> Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
>> ============================
>>
>> "BobS" <BobS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:F6C8EB4B-ACCA-43EF-A9B3-E8E54B0B253A@microsoft.com...
>> >I have taken on a client who had a Dell Precision Workstation (2.x GHz
>> >P4
>> > with 1 GB RAM) converted to a server (SBS 2003). They have 2 IDE hard
>> > drives
>> > (1 for OS and one for Data).
>> >
>> > They seem to be having a lot of random problems with email: Exchange
>> > and
>> > SMTP services stopping or not starting, Queues occasionally not
>> > emptying,
>> > ...
>> >
>> > Can hardware speed have effects on such things. I am considering
>> > suggesting
>> > that we flatten the server and start over, or that they put it back
>> > into
>> > service as a workstation and buy an new "SERVER" with RAID drives, etc.
>> >
>> > Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Also they are fairly low
>> > budget;
>> > do current SATA drives perform adequately to handle all of the tasks
>> > necessary for domain control and email. My best performing accounts
>> > have
>> > SCSI or SAS, but not sure they can swing the extra there.
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> > --
>> > Bob Showalter
>> > Packer International
>>
>>
>>

Russ
Wed Jul 09 14:36:15 PDT 2008

Agree 3GB because WSUS 3.0 is worth the Extra install
and 4GB is kind standard if you even want to look at SharePoint 3.0
and why 250GB Drives? when you can get 500GB Drives for a song more?

More Mem and HD will cost you $100 and be worth it in the long run IMO.

Russ

--
Russell Grover - SBITS.Biz
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Microsoft Small Business Specialist
World Wide Remote SBS2003 Support - http://www.SBITS.Biz
Get Help Now! http://www.crossloop.com/SBITSdotBiz


"Leythos" <void@nowhere.lan> wrote in message
news:1215646024_159978@news.usenet.com...
> In article <A33D2399-67D4-4F6D-838C-DC0250C941AA@microsoft.com>,
> BobS@discussions.microsoft.com says...
>> I will be trying to convince them to go with Xeon, 2G, RAID1 w/ 2 - 250
>> GB
>> SATA, 60 GB OS partition, not sure about backup solution yet
>
> 3GB would provide the most performance for the cost, 4GB if you are also
> running SQL on the same box.
>
> --
> - Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
> - Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
> drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
> spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

BobS
Wed Jul 09 15:47:01 PDT 2008

Concerning a new server; the last time I configured SBS 2K3 on a Dual Core
Xeon system it said that the OS could only handle 2 processors. Is that
still the case? I only ask because I saw a free upgrade option today going
from a single dual core Xeon to dual quad core Xeons.

Thanks
--
Bob Showalter
Packer International


"BobS" wrote:

> I have taken on a client who had a Dell Precision Workstation (2.x GHz P4
> with 1 GB RAM) converted to a server (SBS 2003). They have 2 IDE hard drives
> (1 for OS and one for Data).
>
> They seem to be having a lot of random problems with email: Exchange and
> SMTP services stopping or not starting, Queues occasionally not emptying, ...
>
> Can hardware speed have effects on such things. I am considering suggesting
> that we flatten the server and start over, or that they put it back into
> service as a workstation and buy an new "SERVER" with RAID drives, etc.
>
> Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Also they are fairly low budget;
> do current SATA drives perform adequately to handle all of the tasks
> necessary for domain control and email. My best performing accounts have
> SCSI or SAS, but not sure they can swing the extra there.
>
> Thanks
> --
> Bob Showalter
> Packer International

Leythos
Wed Jul 09 16:02:12 PDT 2008

In article <FE6F4295-5E24-4DD6-9FCE-8A2DCA394A89@microsoft.com>,
BobS@discussions.microsoft.com says...
> Concerning a new server; the last time I configured SBS 2K3 on a Dual Core
> Xeon system it said that the OS could only handle 2 processors. Is that
> still the case? I only ask because I saw a free upgrade option today going
> from a single dual core Xeon to dual quad core Xeons.
>
It's limited to 2 CPU's - that's PHYSICAL CHIPS, cores doesn't matter,
but it will complain, just ignore it.

--
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

SuperGumby
Wed Jul 09 16:00:43 PDT 2008

CPU count is 'physical CPUs' so yes, 2*Quad core is OK.

There is a problem during the installation of ISA because the base media
doesn't like the CPU count, however one of the ISA SPs (2 or 3) rectifies
the problem. If installing ISA make sure you have the latest SP handy (on
CD) 'coz you will lose internet.

"BobS" <BobS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FE6F4295-5E24-4DD6-9FCE-8A2DCA394A89@microsoft.com...
> Concerning a new server; the last time I configured SBS 2K3 on a Dual Core
> Xeon system it said that the OS could only handle 2 processors. Is that
> still the case? I only ask because I saw a free upgrade option today
> going
> from a single dual core Xeon to dual quad core Xeons.
>
> Thanks
> --
> Bob Showalter
> Packer International
>
>
> "BobS" wrote:
>
>> I have taken on a client who had a Dell Precision Workstation (2.x GHz P4
>> with 1 GB RAM) converted to a server (SBS 2003). They have 2 IDE hard
>> drives
>> (1 for OS and one for Data).
>>
>> They seem to be having a lot of random problems with email: Exchange and
>> SMTP services stopping or not starting, Queues occasionally not emptying,
>> ...
>>
>> Can hardware speed have effects on such things. I am considering
>> suggesting
>> that we flatten the server and start over, or that they put it back into
>> service as a workstation and buy an new "SERVER" with RAID drives, etc.
>>
>> Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Also they are fairly low
>> budget;
>> do current SATA drives perform adequately to handle all of the tasks
>> necessary for domain control and email. My best performing accounts have
>> SCSI or SAS, but not sure they can swing the extra there.
>>
>> Thanks
>> --
>> Bob Showalter
>> Packer International

Merv
Wed Jul 09 16:05:23 PDT 2008

Multi-processor support in Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003
http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2007/08/17/multi-processor-support-in-microsoft-windows-small-business-server-2003.aspx

...Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 supports 2 physical
processors. These processors can be single-core, multi-core, or hyper
threaded.

--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================

"BobS" <BobS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FE6F4295-5E24-4DD6-9FCE-8A2DCA394A89@microsoft.com...
> Concerning a new server; the last time I configured SBS 2K3 on a Dual Core
> Xeon system it said that the OS could only handle 2 processors. Is that
> still the case? I only ask because I saw a free upgrade option today
> going
> from a single dual core Xeon to dual quad core Xeons.
>
> Thanks
> --
> Bob Showalter
> Packer International
>
>
> "BobS" wrote:
>
>> I have taken on a client who had a Dell Precision Workstation (2.x GHz P4
>> with 1 GB RAM) converted to a server (SBS 2003). They have 2 IDE hard
>> drives
>> (1 for OS and one for Data).
>>
>> They seem to be having a lot of random problems with email: Exchange and
>> SMTP services stopping or not starting, Queues occasionally not emptying,
>> ...
>>
>> Can hardware speed have effects on such things. I am considering
>> suggesting
>> that we flatten the server and start over, or that they put it back into
>> service as a workstation and buy an new "SERVER" with RAID drives, etc.
>>
>> Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Also they are fairly low
>> budget;
>> do current SATA drives perform adequately to handle all of the tasks
>> necessary for domain control and email. My best performing accounts have
>> SCSI or SAS, but not sure they can swing the extra there.
>>
>> Thanks
>> --
>> Bob Showalter
>> Packer International

Brian
Thu Jul 10 04:22:48 PDT 2008

"BobS" <BobS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A33D2399-67D4-4F6D-838C-DC0250C941AA@microsoft.com...
<snip>
> There are some errors in the event log that I am trying to trace down to
> find the cause such as SMTP service has stopped. Or Exchange Management
> Service has stopped. There are other Exchange errors also showing up, but
> I
> can't log on to their server right now so will post those later if you
> think
> they could be pertinent.

Those errors are probably key, I suggest you work on eliminating (or
discounting) them so do post them. Hardware causes are possible, but only if
something is failing, other than your spec being light on RAM it should be
perfectly adequate for the job (although clearly there would be advantages
in newer hardware).
--
Brian Cryer
www.cryer.co.uk/brian