I have a client with 5-6 users running Sage Peachtree Quantum. Currently it's connected peer to peer with one system hosting the files while other systems are connected to it via Mapped Network Drive.
Should I run a centralized server running Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 or continue running it as a workstation with Windows 7 x64?
Last edited by 0pTicaL; 04 Apr 2012 at 21:04.
The problem is, the client believes and insists his network will be better off running as a server than a workstation.
I told him it's unnecessary but he believes it's a solution to his problem. His problem is software related and has nothing to do with hardware.
Is the installation process of Windows Server the same as Windows 7? Just install OS and drivers?
The installation process is identical, but in my experience getting everything set up afterwards can be a learning experience. Server is designed with security in mind and if you think UAC is a pain - what until you try and do something as simple as googling "tips for windows server" from IE. That was the very first thing I did and I immediately encountered a message telling me that for security reasons I couldn't visit Google.
It gets easier once you get the knack of giving yourself permission to do stuff, but that may not happen right off the bat. It's not as simple as merely clicking "Allow" and going forward from there.
Hello,
In addition to great suggestions, having a server needs maintenance by someone that knows Windows Server and networking well. Is the Server going to be a Domain Controller or just part of the Workgroup? If everything is playing nice right now, you don't have to have a Windows Server. If you are a Consultant I am sure that you'll be able to assist your Client with any server issues just in case.
I have setup a Domain network with less than 10 employees for a Small Business. I've installed Quickbooks Enterprise in a Windows Server 2008 R2 and things are going well for them. Issues will come up no matter what and there's always a solution.
I hope that this helps as well.
Last edited by 2xg; 05 Apr 2012 at 00:09.
Hello,
In addition to great suggestions, having a server needs maintenance by someone that knows Windows Server and networking well. Is the Server going to be a Domain Controller or just part of the Workgroup? If everything is playing nice right now, you don't have to have a Windows Server. If you are a Consultant I am sure that you'll be able to assist your Client with any server issues just in case.
I have setup a Domain network with less than 10 employees for a Small Business. I've installed Quickbooks Enterprise in a Windows Server 2008 R2 and things are going well for them. Issues will come up no matter what and there's always a solution.
I hope that this helps as well.
It will be setup as part of a Workgroup. It's basically a Workstation that's not connected to the internet with the main Peachtree files stored on it with all other machines connecting to it.
The Server would work in a Workgroup setup even if it's not connected to the Internet. Having a Gig Network Switch and Gig NICs might help whether or not you will be using the Server or just another Win 7 computer.
Another thing to consider is how your backing up at the moment. Windows Server 2008 comes with its own backup software (Windows Backup) which allows imaging an entire disk. Does the workstation get backed up?
I 100% agree on the gigabit network. Sage recommends gigabit for its products.
The client maybe better off using a server in certain conditions. For example, if the workstation PC is hosting files and printers etc, then a server maybe better suited for this. I cant see there being much difference in performance to Sage just by changing to a server OS. Just bare in mind that there is a limit of 20 Concurrent connections in windows 7. If you are going to end up getting a server then it would be easier to implement whilst you dont have a massive amount of staff.
Another Con is that it will take an Techy to maintain it correctly.
Dave
What problems does he have? If we know that, we might be able to give you a few more good reasons why it's not necessary to move to server hardware.
@ 2xg Yes, I have the current setup on a Gigabit switch.
@ Dave Atkin The main workstation is being backed up using Acronis TIH 2010 on a daily basis and it's also configured as RAID1. The client is currently running Peachtree Quantum and recently purchased Sage ERP MAS200. He wants to convert everything over to MAS200, since he's upgrading to MAS200 he wanted to know if it was a good idea to run a server. I told him it's unnecessary since he has 5 stations and no more than 2-3 users on at the same time. I told him a Workgroup peer to peer is more than sufficient.
@kegobeer
The problem that is annoying the crap out of my client is after he upgraded to Peachtree Quantum 2011 from 2010 whenever he opens up Sell Invoicing and starts punching in the item number it takes around 3-4 seconds for the item to show up.
It's like Google Instant when doing a Google search the second you start typing in letters it starts searching/guessing what you're trying to search. The problem with Peachtree Quantum 2011 is that when he starts typing in numbers it takes the software 3-4 seconds to guess the remaining numbers whereas in Peachtree 2010 it was instantaneous.
Peachtree tech support kept giving me the runaround, they either said it was a problem with his hardware or how he has too big of a inventory or his previous years didn't close, which all doesn't make any sense because on his old XP machine running Peachtree 2010 everything was running smoothly.
I asked tech support if there was a way to go back to 2010, and of course, being more of a "sales support" they told me there was no way to convert the database back to 2010. I'm sure there is a solution but I don't work accounting software frequent enough to dig for a solution and obviously their "paid" tech support is a joke.
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