What are the basic Windows 7 pro configuration to be a server?

Hi, this is my first thread. apologize in advance for any mistake.

I have IBM server installed with Win 7 pro, i plan to use this as a server and will be connected by 10 PCs.
Need a help what are the basic configurations because this is my first time work with server. I believe they are few different configuration compare with personal usage.

Your advice is much appreciated. Please bug me if u need further info.

thanks

Hi there
The fact that the HARDWARE is called a server doesn't mean that it's operating as a server -- what it tends to mean that it's a SERVER CLASS machine which usually has better quality hardware more suited to RUNNING as a server rather than exists in typical home computers with cheaper components installed.

Windows 7 PRO is a SINGLE USER OS -- this means essentially that ONLY ONE PERSON at a time can use it on the machine the OS is licensed to run on.

What you need is a SERVER OS with sufficient licences for the number of Clients (remote PC's) who will be using it.
Currently your best choice IMO if you want to use Windows on your server is to use Windows 2008 R2 server or Windows 2012 Server -- your choice. Remember also that if you use things like Office that will be run from the SERVER then you will need client licenses for the number of clients you expect to use the service.

It's not CHEAP setting up a commercial server - even for a smallish business. -- My advice in this situation for a small business would be to see what you need to be on the SERVER and what the users could run LOCALLY.

You might find it far cheaper for the users to use their own machines (Known as BYOD or Bring Your Own Device) and simply install something like LINUX (plenty of FREE LINUX server stuff around) if you just need to supply your client machines with Internet, and simple file / printer sharing with some collaboration software.

Make in another post exactly what you need to do -- what the Server needs to supply and what the client computers need to have on their machines -- for instance it might be cheaper in the case of things like Office to install on the client computers things like USE AT HOME where the software only costs a few dollars for each client.

Without more info one can't design a sensible business strategy -- but you need to LOOK CAREFULLY as wrong choices at a server level can cost a HUGE amount of money that doesn't really need to be spent.

Cheers
jimbo

archer said:

Hey oranje,

try this page. hope this helps.

System Requirements for Team Foundation Server

Hi Archer,

thanks for the info, but what i need is the basic configuration and mine is just contain a small network.

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
The fact that the HARDWARE is called a server doesn't mean that it's operating as a server -- what it tends to mean that it's a SERVER CLASS machine which usually has better quality hardware more suited to RUNNING as a server rather than exists in typical home computers with cheaper components installed.

Windows 7 PRO is a SINGLE USER OS -- this means essentially that ONLY ONE PERSON at a time can use it on the machine the OS is licensed to run on.

What you need is a SERVER OS with sufficient licences for the number of Clients (remote PC's) who will be using it.
Currently your best choice IMO if you want to use Windows on your server is to use Windows 2008 R2 server or Windows 2012 Server -- your choice. Remember also that if you use things like Office that will be run from the SERVER then you will need client licenses for the number of clients you expect to use the service.

It's not CHEAP setting up a commercial server - even for a smallish business. -- My advice in this situation for a small business would be to see what you need to be on the SERVER and what the users could run LOCALLY.

You might find it far cheaper for the users to use their own machines (Known as BYOD or Bring Your Own Device) and simply install something like LINUX (plenty of FREE LINUX server stuff around) if you just need to supply your client machines with Internet, and simple file / printer sharing with some collaboration software.

Make in another post exactly what you need to do -- what the Server needs to supply and what the client computers need to have on their machines -- for instance it might be cheaper in the case of things like Office to install on the client computers things like USE AT HOME where the software only costs a few dollars for each client.

Without more info one can't design a sensible business strategy -- but you need to LOOK CAREFULLY as wrong choices at a server level can cost a HUGE amount of money that doesn't really need to be spent.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi Jimbo,

thanks for the details explanation. Understand that its better for me to have proper windows server edition. The thing is I only wanted to made IBM server as a host, so that other PCs can be link to this as well as PC installed with Win XP.

What are the configurations for this scenario to happen?

I am so sorry if I didn't make myself clear.

Hi there

Before you can really decide on the configuration you need you have to specify

a) What software runs locally on the CLIENT Machines
b) what software needs to be accessed by the clients on the Server
c) what files / disks and printers need to be shared
d) what sort of email server / connections the Hosts need to have
e) what sort of Internet access do the clients need to have -- is the server going to be used as a gateway or will the clients have Internet via some type of Router (rather like say in a Hotel).

Until you answer at least these basic questions one can't really advise -- depending on answers it might be better for example for users to connect to your server as a VPN -- then the clients could even use Linux or whatever on their own desktops. All sorts of considerations here -- without knowing WHAT services are required it's IMPOSSIBLE to answer your question. It's the same as asking "How long is a piece of string".

Cheers
jimbo

bobafetthotmail said:

what does this server need to do? Share drives? Media? Network? What else?

Link between PCs and devices, basically I want this IBM as a host PC. I done some research, maybe i can go with set up a workgroup. but how to set IBM as a host?

oranje said:

bobafetthotmail said:

what does this server need to do? Share drives? Media? Network? What else?

Link between PCs and devices, basically I want this IBM as a host PC. I done some research, maybe i can go with set up a workgroup. but how to set IBM as a host?

If you just need to access files on this server hardware with Windows 7 Pro then just set up a standard Workgroup which is default name for the Workgroup. You don't have to do anything other than to make sure that the C:>Users folder is shared "sharing tab" which is required to share any of the User folders like the Documents, Music, Library's etc. You can then un-share any of the folders of subfolders as required.

I'm sure you have a good router and networking hardware Gb switches etc.?

All 10? machines included in this workgroup would have access to all shared files on the server 7 Pro machine. You could even set up a VPN so you could access the files from home.

You can also set up a Homegroup on this pseudo server for more security within the Workgroup and to have selective per machine access to the files on the server machine.

I have more details on setting up this simple office network if you need the information. :)

chev65 said:

oranje said:

bobafetthotmail said:

what does this server need to do? Share drives? Media? Network? What else?

Link between PCs and devices, basically I want this IBM as a host PC. I done some research, maybe i can go with set up a workgroup. but how to set IBM as a host?

If you just need to access files on this server hardware with Windows 7 Pro then just set up a standard Workgroup which is default name for the Workgroup. You don't have to do anything other than to make sure that the C:>Users folder is shared "sharing tab" which is required to share any of the User folders like the Documents, Music, Library's etc. You can then un-share any of the folders of subfolders as required.

I'm sure you have a good router and networking hardware Gb switches etc.?

All 10? machines included in this workgroup would have access to all shared files on the server 7 Pro machine. You could even set up a VPN so you could access the files from home.

You can also set up a Homegroup on this pseudo server for more security within the Workgroup and to have selective per machine access to the files on the server machine.

I have more details on setting up this simple office network if you need the information. :)

Hi, I guess this is what i have been looking for, let me try first, anything I will update.
Thanks much!