Windows Server

vogter14 · Joined: 17 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Cincinnati Ohio

Hello Everyone,

I need some advice on my network at work. Let me explain what we have right now. We are running...

* We are running 2 different servers currently each serving their own purpose and the various workstations (15 approx.) are each mapped to the individual servers. All of the servers have windows XP Professional Edition installed on them.

1 Server has Fabritrak32 running on it which is an application that controls our wireless bar coding software for tracking jobs and parts on our shop floor (We are a sheet-metal fabricating job shop).

1 Server which contains all our AutoCAD drawings, an application which transfers programs to our machines, contains data backups for all desktop computers and runs our Accounting software Mas90.

Well before we had the accounting software on a separate server and never had problems. I decided since we were upgrading the software we might as well put it on the new faster server with all the AutoCAD stuff.

The problem I am having now is the XP pro limitations. Only 10 people can be connected to it at a time and people keep getting booted off it because we have more than 10 people at a time that need to access it.

I am unsure how to approach this. My family owns the company and they said they want the accounting software on a separate server, the wireless bar coding on its own server and the AutoCAD and program transferring software on its own server. So they want three servers total.

What would be the wise networking approach for a situation such as this. Our accounting software has been running very slow since I put it on the NEW server. I bought a couple copies of Windows Server 2003 Small Business Standard Edition and built 2 new servers. I am unsure if I should be using a domain, but if I did, how would it be configured, or should I still use a workgroup network as I have been? I know Domains are good for central administration which would be great. I am confused on how to approach this.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Leathal · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 37

You should have asked your question before buying new servers because SBS Servers can not be connected to each other. Thus you have three separate networks in your office. Think of SBS as being the king of the hill, sure you can connect other Windows 2003 Server machines to it and join them to the domain and other domain boxes, but you can't join SBS Servers to SBS Servers.

Your best bet would have been to figure out what each server role is going to be, and figure out what you need. An applications server needs to be beefier I agree but that doesn't mean only run store AutoCAD files on it.

As for 10 workstations at a time, either your CALs on the server is 10 max or your AutoCAD licesnse only allows for 10 users at one time, there is no limitation in Windows XP Pro as to how many XP machines can been connected to the network at once.

Leathal

vogter14 · Joined: 17 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Cincinnati Ohio

Ok, we returned two of the SBS server packs and exchanged them for Server 2003 Standard. So now we will have the SBS Server at the root of the domain and the 2003 Servers I will just add as member servers to the domain correct?

Leathal · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 37

	Windows Server Forum Index -> Small Business Server 2003	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1