just the install is as simple as XP install

Hi TMB - Setting up a server is more complicated than setting up XP. But do you really need a real server like Server 2003?

A real server is good if you need to keep track of users and their logins or if you want to handle specific tasks like email or web hosting or some line-of-business-specific software. From what I'm reading, you just want access to files from the road. You could have a nice XP machine to be your "server" and a www.LogMeIn.com remote access account to do that from a laptop.

You mention you "will be having data coming into the server through the internet". What kind of data? Sounds like you're going to need a firewall and that can be tricky too.

If you really need a server, there are hosted options as well. Then you never have to buy or setup the server software - you pay by the month and all your backups are included too.

Another option - Windows Home Server is coming out soon. It's supposed ot be easier than the typical server - but it's not out yet so who knows

-Ray

Hi Ray,
Here is what is going on... I will be having anywere from 25 to as many as 50/60 clients coming into the server to have there Data backed up. I am pretty sure XP Pro will only handle (at the most) 30 - 40 clients. This is why I was looking at server 2003.

Any suggestions??

Thanks!

Terry

If the clients will depend on that server for their data then you need to have a system with redundancy. If you're not and I.T. pro, then I'd look at a good hosted server company. That way you'll have a server setup correctly, constantly backed up, and located safely in a protected environment.

Ray

and if you still want to keep the server at home, there is more to it than just the install. BTW if you're about to go beyond 50 users do not even look at SBS.
I'd really use linux for such a server, unless you must run some kind of windows-specific software

Yes it is windows specific software. Current the release for Unix/linux is being worked on. Thank you all for your help!!

server 2003 pretty much easy to install. when you finish install it will walk you through steps to set up diff servers and services. by default it disable some non essential services.

Hello all,

This is what it is going to look like:
I am going to be running network (cat5) cable through the walls to set up 5 to 8 ports in the room. These cables will go into a 12 - 24 port patch panel, then from there to a switch, to a router, then to dsl modem.
The server (that will be running Win Serv 2003) will be hooked up to one of the network ports, another port may have a printer, and another port used by a laptop (running XP Pro). I believe what I am looking at is setting it up as a work group. I am going to purchase a domain name for .com, .net.

The amount of customers/clients could be 50+ meaning that their (customers) servers will be sending their data into the server. These client will only have access to their backup files on the server. I was thinking instead of going with 2 500GB hard drive to going with 4 500GB hard drives. I was going to partition one of the drives for just the OS.

Thanks for your help.
Terry

how much space do you need?

Would you think 5GB for the OS is ok? The rest will be set up for each customer based on the amount of space they would need.