Installing Windows Server 2003 32bits or 64bits

Hi to MCP and the Experience Pros out there,

my company have just purchase a HP Proliant ML350 Server G4p - quad 3.2Ghz
Xeon, 4GB Ram, 2x725Watts power supply, 5X72GB HDD with RAID hardware.

I have to install either Windows Server 2003 with 32 bits or 64 bits, i did
some research for 32 and 64 bits, i found out that 64bits can fully utilize
the physical memory and so on, but overall, i am still blur about it.

1. can any Pros out there give me some advantage and disadvantage of 32bits
and 64bits?
2. this Proliant Server have RAID hardware, from what i heard, it says that
RAID 5 can auto backup and recreate data files if one of the harddisk break
down, can anyone explain to me know how to configure RAID?

thanks in Advance!

Regards,
ViNC3
Server Pros Wannabe

--
Message posted via WinServerKB.com
http://www.winserverkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-server/200803/1

Lanwench
Thu Mar 27 06:45:54 PDT 2008

ViNC3 via WinServerKB.com <u40010@uwe> wrote:
> Hi to MCP and the Experience Pros out there,
>
> my company have just purchase a HP Proliant ML350 Server G4p - quad
> 3.2Ghz Xeon, 4GB Ram, 2x725Watts power supply, 5X72GB HDD with RAID
> hardware.
>
> I have to install either Windows Server 2003 with 32 bits or 64 bits,
> i did some research for 32 and 64 bits, i found out that 64bits can
> fully utilize the physical memory and so on, but overall, i am still
> blur about it.
>
> 1. can any Pros out there give me some advantage and disadvantage of
> 32bits and 64bits?

Well, you can review the differences here:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/evaluate/features/compare.mspx
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/win2003x64_preview.asp


But the real issue is what you're going to use this server *for,* which
nobody here can guess from your post.

> 2. this Proliant Server have RAID hardware,

Good! Much better than "software" RAID managed by the OS.

> from what i heard, it
> says that RAID 5 can auto backup and recreate data files if one of
> the harddisk break down,

It can recover / continue running in the event of one drive failing. It
doesn't recreate data files in the sense that you'd see/use them in your OS.

> can anyone explain to me know how to
> configure RAID?

It's hard to tell you much about how to configure your server -but you
should do some reading up on RAID. Start here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID


>
> thanks in Advance!
>
> Regards,
> ViNC3
> Server Pros Wannabe

dan
Fri Mar 28 12:30:59 PDT 2008


"ViNC3 via WinServerKB.com" <u40010@uwe> wrote in message
news:81c26b73d3457@uwe...
> Hi to MCP and the Experience Pros out there,
>
> my company have just purchase a HP Proliant ML350 Server G4p - quad 3.2Ghz
> Xeon, 4GB Ram, 2x725Watts power supply, 5X72GB HDD with RAID hardware.
>
> I have to install either Windows Server 2003 with 32 bits or 64 bits, i
> did
> some research for 32 and 64 bits, i found out that 64bits can fully
> utilize
> the physical memory and so on, but overall, i am still blur about it.
>
> 1. can any Pros out there give me some advantage and disadvantage of
> 32bits
> and 64bits?
> 2. this Proliant Server have RAID hardware, from what i heard, it says
> that
> RAID 5 can auto backup and recreate data files if one of the harddisk
> break
> down, can anyone explain to me know how to configure RAID?
>
> thanks in Advance!
>
> Regards,
> ViNC3
> Server Pros Wannabe
>
> --
> Message posted via WinServerKB.com
> http://www.winserverkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-server/200803/1

>
Once you have a general idea of how RAID works from the reference Lanwench
gave you, as far as configuring your specific hardware RAID setup, follow
the instructions that come with the hardware RAID controller, or download
them from their website.

ViNC3
Sun Mar 30 18:26:00 PDT 2008

Hi Lanwench,

i have read through the Links you posted, thanks for the info, i think i will
install Windows Server 2003 x64, they all said are the fastest, better
performance and everything, right?

as for the RAID, i am still blur about it, oh well,
i guess i will just install the OS first, and worry about RAID later.

Hi David,
Okay, i follow what you said once i install the OS and stuff.


thanks both your you pros.
i will post for help again if i need it.

Regards,
ViNC3
Server Pros Wannabe


Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] wrote:
>> Hi to MCP and the Experience Pros out there,
>>
>[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>> 1. can any Pros out there give me some advantage and disadvantage of
>> 32bits and 64bits?
>
>Well, you can review the differences here:
>http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/evaluate/features/compare.mspx
>http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/win2003x64_preview.asp
>
>But the real issue is what you're going to use this server *for,* which
>nobody here can guess from your post.
>
>> 2. this Proliant Server have RAID hardware,
>
>Good! Much better than "software" RAID managed by the OS.
>
>> from what i heard, it
>> says that RAID 5 can auto backup and recreate data files if one of
>> the harddisk break down,
>
>It can recover / continue running in the event of one drive failing. It
>doesn't recreate data files in the sense that you'd see/use them in your OS.
>
>> can anyone explain to me know how to
>> configure RAID?
>
>It's hard to tell you much about how to configure your server -but you
>should do some reading up on RAID. Start here -
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID
>
>> thanks in Advance!
>>
>> Regards,
>> ViNC3
>> Server Pros Wannabe

--
Message posted via WinServerKB.com
http://www.winserverkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-server/200803/1

ViNC3
Mon Mar 31 00:28:34 PDT 2008

Hi,
i have successfully installed Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition onto HP
Proliant Server.
but the thing is that, how do i install RAID?
i have read through the RAID from wikipedia you posted, but i am still blur
about it,

Can i know how do i install RAID into the server? or how do i configure RAID
in the Server?
i am blur about it, please give any advice.

thanks!!

regards,
ViNC3
Server Pros Wannabe

dan wrote:
>> Hi to MCP and the Experience Pros out there,
>>
>[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>> ViNC3
>> Server Pros Wannabe
>
>Once you have a general idea of how RAID works from the reference Lanwench
>gave you, as far as configuring your specific hardware RAID setup, follow
>the instructions that come with the hardware RAID controller, or download
>them from their website.

--
Message posted via WinServerKB.com
http://www.winserverkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-server/200803/1

dan
Mon Mar 31 04:59:42 PDT 2008


"ViNC3 via WinServerKB.com" <u40010@uwe> wrote in message
news:81f7b05f91071@uwe...
> Hi,
> i have successfully installed Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition onto
> HP
> Proliant Server.
> but the thing is that, how do i install RAID?
> i have read through the RAID from wikipedia you posted, but i am still
> blur
> about it,
>
> Can i know how do i install RAID into the server? or how do i configure
> RAID
> in the Server?
> i am blur about it, please give any advice.
>
> thanks!!
>
> regards,
> ViNC3
> Server Pros Wannabe
>
> dan wrote:
>>> Hi to MCP and the Experience Pros out there,
>>>
>>[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>>> ViNC3
>>> Server Pros Wannabe
>>
>>Once you have a general idea of how RAID works from the reference Lanwench
>>gave you, as far as configuring your specific hardware RAID setup, follow
>>the instructions that come with the hardware RAID controller, or download
>>them from their website.
>
> --
> Message posted via WinServerKB.com
> http://www.winserverkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-server/200803/1
>

As I said before ViNC3, you're going to have to identify your RAID
Controller hardware, and follow the instructions for that hardware to set up
your RAID array on your server. If you're thinking about setting up software
RAID using Windows, don't do it if you're setting up a production
environment. Trust me, software RAID will eventually cause you big
headaches.

Lanwench
Mon Mar 31 07:47:43 PDT 2008

ViNC3 via WinServerKB.com <u40010@uwe> wrote:
> Hi Lanwench,
>
> i have read through the Links you posted, thanks for the info, i
> think i will install Windows Server 2003 x64, they all said are the
> fastest, better performance and everything, right?

It can be, but again, without knowing what you need to use this server for,
it's hard to answer. Why spend the money on x64 if this server doesn't need
it?
>
> as for the RAID, i am still blur about it, oh well,
> i guess i will just install the OS first, and worry about RAID later.

No - that is not an option. You have to configure your RAID first - it's set
up at the hardware level.

If this is not your area of expertise, I'd suggest your company get a
consultant in to help out with the setup.

>
> Hi David,
> Okay, i follow what you said once i install the OS and stuff.
>
>
> thanks both your you pros.
> i will post for help again if i need it.
>
> Regards,
> ViNC3
> Server Pros Wannabe
>
>
> Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] wrote:
>>> Hi to MCP and the Experience Pros out there,
>>>
>> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>>> 1. can any Pros out there give me some advantage and disadvantage of
>>> 32bits and 64bits?
>>
>> Well, you can review the differences here:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/evaluate/features/compare.mspx
>> http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/win2003x64_preview.asp
>>
>> But the real issue is what you're going to use this server *for,*
>> which nobody here can guess from your post.
>>
>>> 2. this Proliant Server have RAID hardware,
>>
>> Good! Much better than "software" RAID managed by the OS.
>>
>>> from what i heard, it
>>> says that RAID 5 can auto backup and recreate data files if one of
>>> the harddisk break down,
>>
>> It can recover / continue running in the event of one drive failing.
>> It doesn't recreate data files in the sense that you'd see/use them
>> in your OS.
>>
>>> can anyone explain to me know how to
>>> configure RAID?
>>
>> It's hard to tell you much about how to configure your server -but
>> you should do some reading up on RAID. Start here -
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID
>>
>>> thanks in Advance!
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> ViNC3
>>> Server Pros Wannabe

ViNC3
Mon Mar 31 18:25:51 PDT 2008

Hi Dan,

This server still under monitoring, they want me to setup and to monitor sees
weather everything is ok, it seem like in the BIOS, the Proliant Server have
actually created and configure RAID 5 by itself when i installed Windows
Server 2003 in it.
but frankly speaking, i am not sure weather what i saw in BIOS is correct or
not.

because this server were bought second-hand from partner company, it doesn't
have any manual that i cam refer to, and how to set up RAID and so on, and
when i went to HP website, all the information are blur and messy (or maybe i
am too noob to understand what's saying)

by any chance can you teach me how to check within BIOS?

thanks and regards,
ViNC3
Server Pros Wannabe

dan wrote:
>> Hi,
>> i have successfully installed Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition onto
>[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>>>the instructions that come with the hardware RAID controller, or download
>>>them from their website.
>
>As I said before ViNC3, you're going to have to identify your RAID
>Controller hardware, and follow the instructions for that hardware to set up
>your RAID array on your server. If you're thinking about setting up software
>RAID using Windows, don't do it if you're setting up a production
>environment. Trust me, software RAID will eventually cause you big
>headaches.

--
Message posted via WinServerKB.com
http://www.winserverkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-server/200803/1

ViNC3
Tue Apr 01 00:35:13 PDT 2008

Hi Lanwench,

I have installed Windows Server 2003 32 bits,
This server still under monitoring, it seem like in the BIOS, the Proliant
Server have
actually created and configure RAID 5 by itself when i installed Windows
Server 2003 in it.
but frankly speaking, i am not sure weather what i saw in BIOS is correct or
not.

Due to this server were bought second-hand from partner company, it doesn't
have any manual that i can refer to, and how to set up RAID and so on, and
when i went to HP website, all the information are blur and messy (or maybe i
am too noob to understand whats it saying)

by any chance can you teach me how to check RAID Configuration within BIOS?

Regards,
ViNC3
Server Pros Wannabe

Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] wrote:
>> Hi Lanwench,
>>
>> i have read through the Links you posted, thanks for the info, i
>> think i will install Windows Server 2003 x64, they all said are the
>> fastest, better performance and everything, right?
>
>It can be, but again, without knowing what you need to use this server for,
>it's hard to answer. Why spend the money on x64 if this server doesn't need
>it?
>
>> as for the RAID, i am still blur about it, oh well,
>> i guess i will just install the OS first, and worry about RAID later.
>
>No - that is not an option. You have to configure your RAID first - it's set
>up at the hardware level.
>
>If this is not your area of expertise, I'd suggest your company get a
>consultant in to help out with the setup.
>
>> Hi David,
>> Okay, i follow what you said once i install the OS and stuff.
>[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
>>>> ViNC3
>>>> Server Pros Wannabe

--
Message posted via WinServerKB.com
http://www.winserverkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-server/200804/1

Lanwench
Tue Apr 01 05:06:39 PDT 2008

ViNC3 via WinServerKB.com <u40010@uwe> wrote:
> Hi Lanwench,
>
> I have installed Windows Server 2003 32 bits,
> This server still under monitoring, it seem like in the BIOS, the
> Proliant Server have
> actually created and configure RAID 5 by itself when i installed
> Windows Server 2003 in it.

No, this is not possible. I suspect the RAID was already configured.

> but frankly speaking, i am not sure weather what i saw in BIOS is
> correct or not.

But we can't know what you mean by "correct" - there are different
confgurations that are best for for different types of servers.
>
> Due to this server were bought second-hand from partner company, it
> doesn't have any manual that i can refer to,

Right....

>and how to set up RAID
> and so on, and when i went to HP website, all the information are
> blur and messy (or maybe i am too noob to understand whats it saying)

Sure, but you can always call the manufacturer for tech support if you can't
find what you need on their website.... note that printed manuals are rare
these days and it's usually PDFs! :-)
>
> by any chance can you teach me how to check RAID Configuration within
> BIOS?

No,sorry...I won't know your exact model or steps. HP has utilities you can
install/download if you wish to view this information from within Windows.

As mentioned, I really suggest you look at getting someone in to help you
with this, if your company wants to use this as a production server. You can
sit/watch/help/learn.


>
> Regards,
> ViNC3
> Server Pros Wannabe
>
> Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] wrote:
>>> Hi Lanwench,
>>>
>>> i have read through the Links you posted, thanks for the info, i
>>> think i will install Windows Server 2003 x64, they all said are the
>>> fastest, better performance and everything, right?
>>
>> It can be, but again, without knowing what you need to use this
>> server for, it's hard to answer. Why spend the money on x64 if this
>> server doesn't need it?
>>
>>> as for the RAID, i am still blur about it, oh well,
>>> i guess i will just install the OS first, and worry about RAID
>>> later.
>>
>> No - that is not an option. You have to configure your RAID first -
>> it's set up at the hardware level.
>>
>> If this is not your area of expertise, I'd suggest your company get a
>> consultant in to help out with the setup.
>>
>>> Hi David,
>>> Okay, i follow what you said once i install the OS and stuff.
>> [quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
>>>>> ViNC3
>>>>> Server Pros Wannabe