Upgrade you old Windows 2003 server

 

Just in case you still have windows 2003, Now it is the time to upgrade.

Windows 2008, 2008 R2 and now 2012 are out, so jumping from 2003 to 2012 could men lot’s of extra work if you use Active directory and Exchange 2003.

There are some very good “how to upgrade” blogs/documents out there, but every case is a case, you my get stuck without any useful answers from those main stream “how tos” when you get some strange errors. Best Approach is to upgrade by steps, 2003->2008R2->2012.

Virtualize your Windows 2003 box and use a test environment to test the upgrade.

Servers for small businesses

There are loads of options from Microsoft to Linux (paid and free versions).

But there is something that you need to take in account before you start. When the system brakes (Hardware or Software)  how fast do you need to have all back up working?

• If you need to have a fast response after a crash (2 to 4 hours) you may need to install a system that you feel comfortable using. One you can start up in recovery mode and have last day backups recovered fast. A good advice is to use Standard Software, so that you or someone that you hire can pick the pieces and start rebuilding your system. Always document were things are, what backup method and software you use and were the files are. Have Serial numbers from the software handy and the media (CD/DVD or ISO files).
• If you need to have access all the time you should use redundant options for the file  server, if one fails you still have another server. There are loads of options for this, you should first know your budget and then search, you can narrow down the options available with the value for the first filter.

You can have your system hosted, in this case you only will have the computers or terminals in your premises along with the printers. This my reduce drastically the value for the solutions because you hare hiring a service. You will have a Service Level Agreement that gives you the worst time scenario for down time.

These days you can have even the phones hosted, with hosted solutions you can grow without the problem of physical solution.