Writing by 1call on Sunday, 7 of February , 2010 at 10:00 am
Are you looking for where you can save some of the money you have to help your business? Would you consider improving the main servers running your business? A new server, better spam and virus filtering firewall, gigabit high speed switches, network monitoring tools are a few productive improvements.
If your server is 3-5 years old and out of warranty it is time to migrate to a new server. Why?
When you pick the time to upgrade the server your business will avoid the major disruption of a server crash and data recovery. The best practice is to upgrade while everything is still working.
Enjoy the benefits of new server capabilities.
Some business owners have said things are fine believing this saves money but it does not. The cost of migrating after a server crash is four times as much because of disaster recovery also required to get your business data, quickbooks, databases and files from backups. Losing business and employees not being able to work simply compounds the cost of doing nothing.
A new server does a business good and technology purchases have some of the highest returns of investment! A good checkup on your server is advised.
We are available to discuss your office needs. Phone 9 7 2 – 4 1 8 – 2 0 0 0
Sphere: Related Content
Category: Servers, Tech
- Tags in this Article
- Tags: computer service dallas, dallas computer parts, dallas server support, database server, emergency server help dallas, firewall, indexing server, network monitoring, onsite repair, onsite support, quickbooks support dallas, raid server rebuild, remote monitoring service, remote support, replace server drive, server backup, server crash
Writing by 1call on Sunday, 1 of June , 2008 at 8:30 am
It is safe to dive into the new server, Windows 2008!
Microsoft has a new server in town. Yes, we realize you did not notice as has been the case for many business people. So decisions are needed, do you review the new server or add another Windows 2003 server to your mix? Let’s start with some summary statements then you can decide if you want to read the rest of this article series.
Windows Server 2008 comes in several flavors, which by now everyone is getting used to full versions and less featured or just plain crippled versions. So if you are using your server behind a firewall and only use file and print service then there isn’t a good reason to move forward unless your server is aging and now is the time you planned to upgrade. If you do not use Microsoft Exchange and don’t plan to then again no need to upgrade. Contact us if you want a robust alternative to Exchange.
We like the new server but approach the subject in a “justify it” approach. If we can’t justify it then we cannot recommend windows server 2008 for the sake of having the latest server in the back office.
Windows Server 2008 comes with significant changes but most users won’t notice running XP or Vista Business. Ok, if you read this far and decided you are not going to buy a server with windows server 2008 and will either stay with Windows 2003 server or will install Windows 2003 server then you don’t need to spend any more time reading on the subject..
We will greatly simplify the Windows Server 2008 offering. Microsoft has review documents on thier site and the “short version” is only 116 pages long. We don’t call that a short enough version. We don’t know of any executive that could stomach a 116 page presentation on a server or “infrastructure platform” as the term goes. At the time of this writing some of the features touted are actually in BETA even though the Windows Server 2008 product has been released to manufacturing.
Breat it Down! Summary feature with commentary.
Setup. The server uses the Vista install routine with the ability to read raid drivers from USB drives instead of floppies. Anyone want to buy a stack of old floppies? Microsoft has a server core install only option that reminds old gear heads of Novell or Unix which also used a command line management console which pretty well kept users from meddling with the server. There will some tools and 3rd party scripts to help manage a core install.
Server Roles. Configuring services from the new server manager is a great educational tool as Microsoft has added lots of explanations for what things do and this will help admininistrators learn about the server.
Copying Files. Copying files has been improved but still won’t do much for XP users. Microsoft updated the SMB (file copying for the lay person) protocol which means multiple connections and instructions simultaneously. If you don’t have a GIG switch in the server closet contact us.
IIS 7.0 A new version of web server. Touted as allowing hosting of applications and lowering costs. Same message they gave us for Windows server 2003 and IIS 6.0. A server core installation will not support IIS 7.0.
Security. Network access protection. Microsoft told us we had this in 2003 but didn’t get it right. This is improved but with the new network stack included will it be more secure? Pinging IPv6 addresses is not the same old ping.
Active Directory. Improved ability to delegate who can manage services. It is more complicated but a good team can make it very simple for average users to manage things once only dreamed about. A small office under 75 users won’t use the new features or will not have the resources to implement the new features. That is where Dallas Computer Service can come in and help however.
Virtualization. Virtual machine support is now built in but we prefer VMware since the integration services only support windows server 2003 or 2008 guest operating systems. Enough said.
We told you this was going to be brief with 100 plus pages boiled down to just a few. The new server has an emphasis on security and seems stable from the community buzz just don’t upgrade until your lifecycle plan says to upgrade and then you will still have to decide on 2003 or 2008. Most standard users should go for 2008 and SBS users should really consider 2003 instead of SBS 2008 still in the works.
Sphere: Related Content
Category: Maintenance, Servers, Windows Server 2008
Writing by 1call on Thursday, 22 of May , 2008 at 3:48 pm
Receive the benefits of your very own IT department without the overhead or upkeep of creating your own.
Your computer systems have developed into a daily part of your business operations and maintaining those systems is essential to prosperity and growth. Perhaps you have begun to realize the importance of an IT staff but are apprehensive about creating your own IT department within your business. Do you cringe at the thought of providing permanent office space, vacation, insurance and sick days to an IT staff? Dallas Computer Service has a better way…
The Dallas Computer Service “Smart Choice”
Dallas Computer Service provides regularly scheduled on-site network maintenance, monitoring management, pc support, remote support, training and consulting to maintain your network and computers. We understand your need for experienced professionals to provide reliable cost effective solutions to your desktop, network, Internet and user training needs. Value based services!
The Benefits
- No overhead that comes with maintaining your IT department
- Year round service prevents problems
- Eliminate service call charges
- Dedicated and experienced staff working to strengthen your business
- IT consultant dedicated to your account
- Continuous management and monitoring of the corporate office computer equipment.
- Answer user questions, provide available information requested by users and troubleshoot user-related problems.
- Coordinate, investigate and document resolution of server system problems.
- Act as liaison between users and outside vendors, if appropriate.
- Support local users including data backup, spyware and virus problems.
- Perform additions/changes/deletions as requested by local administrators.
- Check backup logs noting errors, if any.
- Periodically check backup media and verify restore process.
- Restore applications or available data if requested by administrators.
- Ensure mail is routing properly and check for dead mail.
- Ensure server databases are replicating as scheduled.
- Check server logs for communication problems.
- Monitor servers disk space usage.
- Perform operating system disk, check when appropriate.
- Reboot server to de-fragment memory pools, when appropriate.
- Identify and archive old data as required.
- Perform hardware diagnostics and inspections on system hardware, when appropriate.
- Perform workstation maintenance to include hard disks. memory and disk space.
- Periodically scan and defrag workstation hard drives.
Call 972-418-2000 to setup an appointment!
Sphere: Related Content
Category: Maintenance, Servers
- Tags in this Article
- Tags: compaq, dell, desktop, hp server, Internet, IT department, low cost server, maintain, Maintenance, managed server, monitor, network, Servers
Writing by 1call on Thursday, 22 of May , 2008 at 3:36 pm
The release was official February 2008 and the new server improves on some basic features while greatly implementing new capabilities. Microsoft takes of lot of shots about Linux and Open Source but there is no question they provide a platform that has value. When your next server upgrade comes it will be beneficial to hear how the new features will improve your business while hiding the complexity of what the server is doing for you.
Servers are the heart of the business network. All computers access and share files from the servers with some dedicated to specific needs like accounting or marketing. We work with all the top vendors for Servers. Dell, HP, Compaq, IBM/Lenovo and powered INTEL or AMD.
We used to always recommend Dell but found that by purchasing INTEL direct you get a 3 year warranty out of the box without an extra charge. Dell and others usually buy INTEL direct and charge extra for a 3 year warranty at a cost of couple hundred extra dollars per server. We now compare the current offers available from Dell, HP, Compaq, Lenovo to see what is the best value. We deliver custom INTEL servers, the industry standard. Superior server solutions at a value price. By using INTELor AMD you are buying the industry standard server components and steering clear of proprietary issues.
You won’t have to spend 4 hours trying to figure out the glitzy name brand website and 30 minute offers. We are INTEL Product Dealers and AMD partners giving you a wider range of choices so your company benefits with the very best solution to your server needs. We will clearly show you the best value and then follow through with installation and staff training so you have a reliable computing environment!
The market for servers is moving into multiple core technology which is really good for buyers. What is Dual Core or Quad Core? This can best be explained by thinking about a car. A single engine car is fine but if you could stuff 2 or 4 engines in the same space under the hood then your car would be much more capable. That is the essense of multi-core processor technology driving servers. Stuffing more engines in the same space! This results in a production cost savings so buyers get more power in the same footprint in the computer room or data center.
The opportunity provided by the advances in processors and Windows Server 2008 means your business can consolidate and simplify your network environment while getting the latest software to run your business! Stand alone or virtual servers are just a call away.
Contact a MICROSOFT WINDOWS SERVER SPECIALIST at 
direct.
Sphere: Related Content
Category: Servers
