need advice to replace a small Win2K server with XP or vista

[mcveigh]

I'm out of the computer business except for one friend. He has a company with about 8 networked PC's. 5-6 years ago we setup a Win2K server (running win2K server). It's really overkill for what he needs. The server acts as a print server and shares 3folders for desktop applications. It's also the antivirus server.

dual powersupplies; 2, RAID1 arrays (SCSI); tape backup.

The hard drives are coming to their EOL. I am thinking about getting an XP or vista box instead. raid1 array of SATA drives. eSATA hard drives for backups.
I just have to check with the printer manufacturers if they support vista or not.

Any comments, concerns, ideas?

Anyone using eSATA drives for backups (I was thinking of 3 rotated weekly)

Thanks!

 

[JackMDS]

Under the same circumstances I would wait few weeks to Windows Home Server (WHS) to come out (it was released few days ago to RTM), and make a decision between WHS or Windows 2003SBS.

WHS -

Windows 2003SBS - http://www.microsoft.com/techn...l/sbs2003/default.mspx

WHS - http://www.microsoft.com/windo.../features.mspx?tab=faq

 

[mcveigh]

I like SBS but it's overkill. I'm trying to simplify things. I'll take a look at WHS- thanks for the link!