[dba-Tech] Server versions

Hi Andy,
I have a few 2003 servers on clients sites.

One network with <20 users and no windows domain/AD. W2k3 Server basically
functions as file/print server (it does a few other mundane tasks) Works
like a charm! Have never had issue with it since Jan 04. Clients include
W98se, W2k, WXP.

Since that went sooo  smooth I recently installed W2k3 Server in another
office - IT is a veritable nightmare. A network with <20 users and W2k3 is
Primary Domain Controller PDC, file server/print server replacing a very
old, slow, on its last legs NT4 server which was doing the same. Clients
include WME, WXP. First off, the migration tools were a joke. Nothing worked
and when it came down to troubleshooting them I decided the time spent would
be better off just starting from scratch. So don't be fooled into thinking a
NT4 to W2k3 migration will work (or at least be easy)

Basically the WME workstations cannot login reliably. About half the time
they try to login they get an error that they cannot be authenticated. The
only thing that seems to work (and I know, this makes NO SENSE considering
they just booted up) they have to shut down and restart, then they can log
in. Because these PCs had a history belonging to a NT4 domain I reloaded ME
from scratch on one of these to see if it made a difference and it did not.

XP never has a problem validating but the login is veryyyy slow. It takes
about two minutes to authenticate. The new XP user work flow: boot up - get
coffee, type password - get coffee, caffeine buzzed - start working! ;o)

I have discussed this with network engineers and they have no solutions. Of
course with WME they just shake their heads and mumble "Many Errors". But
this a non-profit that can't go out and just replace all their ME PCs or
even upgrade them all to XP (which of course would be slow logging in). They
claim XP is validating as a Guest even though the user is a domain client -
they say its something Microsoft did with XP. I haven't been able to find
anything that resolves either of these issues. Oh how I wish I had went with
W2k

The Network Engineers I've talked to advise sticking with W2k server and
clients. W2k3 server is good if your not going to use it as a PDC and if its
not going to part of an W2k server Active Directory Domain. They say W2k3
will try to take over the AD.

Well there's my 2 cents and a lot of beef :o)

John B.

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Andy Lacey
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 4:35 AM
To: Dba Tech
Subject: [dba-Tech] Server versions


Dear all
Your advice is sought.

If a customer was thinking of upgrading from NT4 Server would the consensus
of opinion be to go to W2003 Server or W2000 Server? I ask because he has a
mix of W98 and W2K clients so is familiar with W2K and is therefore drawn to
W2K Server (still just about available to buy). But it will no doubt have a
shorter life than W2003 Server. So that is one point in W2003 Server's
favour, but what are the other pros and cons?

--
Andy Lacey
http://www.minstersystems.co.uk




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