Feedback on adding a new server...

osaddictosaddict London, UK
edited November 2010 in Science & Tech
We want to have Sage working in a server client environment. Rather than use our existing two servers we're keen to re-use an old server (about 4 years old) which we're not using for anything else (not even plugged in!).

The first idea is to install Server 2008, then sage.

This plan sounds ok, I'm assuming (I'll Google for further info) when setting up Server 2008 you can specify the servers role and thus prevent it from doing anything fancy and interfering with the existing two servers.

The second, slightly off the wall, idea: Windows 7 Professional!

If the only use of the server is to run sage for clients to connect to then do we have a benefit from using a server OS vs a Windows 7 install? - I'm sure I'm overlooking quite a few things here, but we would have the benefit of server hardware (raid for example) without the cost of its OS and licences?! Also, no risk of the PC trying to do anything clever.

Perhaps bonkers, let me know your thoughts!

Comments

  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited November 2010
    How many people hitting the box? You're only allowed up to 20 concurrent connections to a Windows 7 machine for File, Print, IIS, ICS, and Telephony services.

    Installing Server 2008 won't cause it to spontaneously take on any roles. It will be essentially a clean OS install as if you setup Windows XP or Windows 7. It's not until you start adding roles/features that it has the ability to get in the way. Specifically, DHCP could cause an issue. That's not installed by default though.
  • osaddictosaddict London, UK
    edited November 2010
    Cyclonite wrote:
    How many people hitting the box? You're only allowed up to 20 concurrent connections to a Windows 7 machine for File, Print, IIS, ICS, and Telephony services.

    Installing Server 2008 won't cause it to spontaneously take on any roles. It will be essentially a clean OS install as if you setup Windows XP or Windows 7. It's not until you start adding roles/features that it has the ability to get in the way. Specifically, DHCP could cause an issue. That's not installed by default though.

    A max of 5 would be accessing it, and typically just one on a daily basis, the others far less frequently.

    I did an install of Server 2008 about 2 years ago and I seem to remember it beign quite wizard based, so as you say, my fears about it muscling in and trying to take over are probably un justified.

    It does make me wonder though - the simplicity of the install and the cost does make Win7 Pro an attractive prospect.
  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited November 2010
    Shoot, I'd go with Windows 7 then. If it doesn't work out, you can always switch it for Server 2008. The licensing costs alone would justify making that decision.
  • osaddictosaddict London, UK
    edited November 2010
    All we want the OS to do is sit there and host Sage so that multiple people can connect to it, and the data is stored in one central location, not on a desktop. It certainly seems like Win 7 fits the bill in that respect - we simply don't need the bells and whistles of Server 2008 at this stage. I'll check there's no plans to have this server do anything else further down the line (it's pretty old) but if not then I think Win 7 may be the choice.

    As you say, if it turns out to be a bad choice it's not a lot of money so Server 2008 and can be purchased anyway!
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