WIN2K Advanced or regular Win2K server

[TechBoyJK]

Hello,

I am going to be setting up a high volume server farm.

Several of the servers will require Win2K server.

Some will be hosting Coldfusion Enterprise Server, some will be hosting MS SQL server.

Each server will only be hosting that one service.



The servers will have the following specs:

-Intel SR2300 2U with redundant 500 watt power supplies

-Intel Westville SE7500WV2 Dual Xeon Motherboard

-One (1) Intel 1.8GHz Xeon processor

-1gb Total (2x 512mb) PC2100 ECC Registered DDR Memory.

-Dual Intel 10/100/1000 Server Adapters

-Onboard Video Controller

-Dual Channel Ultra 160 integrated

-Intel SRCMRU Raid Controller

-Two (2) 36gb Ultra 160 SCSI Hot Swap Hard Drives

-CD-ROM /Floppy Combo



If we will only be using a dual processor setup, is there any reason to go with Advanced server instead of regular server?? Each server will at most have 4gigs of ram.


Thanks!

 

[bigshooter]

clustering? no offense, but if you dont know this answer yourself, are you qualified to be setting all this stuff up?

 

[bozo1]

From what you described, Advanced Server would be a waste of money as you won't be using any of its features.

 

[IcemanJer]

What's the fundamental difference between Advanced Server and Server, other than the different hardware support?

 

[bozo1]

Advanced is identical to server except it adds support for up to 8 processors (Server supports up to 4) and up to 8 gigs or RAM (Server supports up to 4). Advanced also adds support for 2-node clustering.

 

[IcemanJer]

how about Terminal Service licensing, are there any differences, or is that a separate entity?
What more does AdvServer have? that can't be it, can it?

 

[stash]

In the words of Shrek...

Really, really.

 

[mikecel79]

Here's all the info you'll need to know about the differences between all the Windows Server versions Linky....

But I have to agree with bigshooter. If you didn't know this already (or where to find it, took me 3 minutes to find it on the MS site) then maybe you aren't qualified to be setting all this up. But that's another discussion.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Advanced is identical to server except it adds support for up to 8 processors (Server supports up to 4) and up to 8 gigs or RAM (Server supports up to 4).

I knew that. That is why I pointed out those two facts and only those two facts. I was hoping for reasoning other than those issues. But, I think I failed to word my questions correctly, as it was late. 🙁

Advanced also adds support for 2-node clustering.

I didnt know that. Since I may have several servers doing the same thing, this may be a factor to consider. Does the DataCenter version of Win2K server support more than 2-node clustering? I need to go check the site.

clustering?

What about it?? I understand what clustering means. Beowolf.......

no offense, but if you dont know this answer yourself, are you qualified to be setting all this stuff up

I am studying for my A+, Server+, Network+, E-Biz+, and several other things, and my studies are going rather well. I will be paying a hosting company to do many of the hands on stuff. www.Cybercon.com They have an impressive setup and I really get along with the people. I have the largest vested interest in the project, and I would like to know what is going on with my web site. I started basic programming when I was 5, and not that I am an ultra wiz kid, but I usually get things after the first explanation, especially computer stuff. I can read quickly and thoroughly, but I dont like to read the wrong things or waste my time, just like anybody else.

Thanks for all of the help! And if could, I would use all nix stuff. 80% of the farm is on freebsd or openbsd.

 

[mikecel79]

I didnt know that. Since I may have several servers doing the same thing, this may be a factor to consider. Does the DataCenter version of Win2K server support more than 2-node clustering? I need to go check the site.

Yes you do need to check the site. Datacenter is an OEM only which means you can't get it unless your purchasing the server from HP, Compaq, Dell, Unisys, etc. You can't purchase a retail copy. Datacenter is usually very specialized to specific hardware. 2 node clustering should be more enough if your worried about redundancy. For the servers that are hosting the web pages you should go with network load balancing rather than clustering. You could balance the load out over more than 2 servers this way. Clustering would work well for the SQL servers though.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Thank you very much for your reply. I think Macromedia makes a coldfusion load balancing application, but I'm not certain if its what I need. What other load balancing options do I have?

 

[mikecel79]

There's a few ways to do network load balancing. Here's a short article on a few options. You'll need Advanced Server to do Microsoft's network Load Balancing Service. I like the Cisco one myself.