judenihal

Hello. Would it be a good idea to Install VMware on a Domain Controller and install Exchange Server in there? I am trying to run everything on one server box. My server is a Pentium D 3.0 GHz and I might be upgrading the processor to a E6600 Core 2 Duo, if that is going to be necessary for this operation.

Manyak

The only downside to doing it is that if the one box fails everything fails. If you can deal with the downtime then go for it.


Just make sure you have a nice amount of RAM.

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judenihal

If the Domain Controller Fails, then the whole domain is down and it won't make a difference weather it partial fails or everything fails.

Is 2 GB of RAM good enough?

Speedwise, how will the speed be over running 2 machines?

Manyak

Well there are ways to handle DCs failing without any major interruptions to the network, such as allowing the clients to use locally cached copies of domain accounts when the controller is unreachable. It's not optimal, but it does help make downtimes almost transparent.

Speedwise you shouldn't have a problem with the pentium D (I assume it's for your home, right?). The only thing you'll need to check is to see if it supports VT (64-bit virtualization). The 9x0's, 955, and 965 support it, anything else and you're out of luck (check here).

2GB of RAM won't be enough though. Exchange Server alone needs a minimum of 4GB, plus 5MB per mailbox, then you'll need at least 1GB more per OS (1GB for the main OS, 1GB for the VM) to keep the machine comfortable. So you're looking at a bare minimum of 6GB.

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judenihal

Manyak, thank you for your last 2 replies.

I undestand about the Domain Controller thing, but I am trying to put everything on one box so that its easier to start my network rather than turning on one box and then another. Sometimes, I turn on the exchange server box before the domain controller and it gives me problems, like a service failed to start in the event viewer.

Let me correct you however. You Linked Exchange Server 2010, but I am using Exchange Server 2003. Exchange Server 2003 can run on a 512 MB Machine with no problem.

Yes, this is not a large corporate environment, but I work with very large files over a Gigabit Ethernet and my server must be able to host the large files, so I am wonddering weather a Pentium D will work with this, plus Exchange Server and Domain Controller on one box.

I guess you are right about the RAM. At this point of time, I don't have the server right now, but I know its less than PC 6400, I think its PC 5300 or PC 5200 or something, its server memory and not destkop memory. Its only 2 GB of RAM and I am thinking of putting 4 GB of memory.

Manyak

Ah well that clears things up a bit . I just assumed you were using all the newest software.

So yeah, just give it a RAM upgrade to be safe and it'll be more than powerful enough for you. Actually, if you're using Server 03 as well (not 08/08R2) you can probably even get away with the 2GB, split as 768 main/1280 exchange VM. Then again, using Server 03 for AD is pretty pointless for Vista/Win7 since you'll only get the very basic group policy options.

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judenihal

Manyak, I see what you are trying to say. However, I am not using Vista and Windows 7 as well as Windows Server 2008, because the main reason is because I don't have a license for the latest. I have a genuine VLK Licence for Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2003, but not 2008. I would love to buy it but its way to expensive and costly as well to upgrade my servers to Core 2 Duo with over 8 GB of RAM. It would be nice though because then My server can be running Windows server 2008 enterprise with a Hyper-V running Windows Server 2003 R2 with Exchange Server 2007 in it.

Maybe I can look around for cracks and stuff, but I am afraid when I do that, MS will find away over these cracks, though I manage to get Windows Server 2003 R2 working via VLK and legal Product Keys hehe.

Well anyways, this leads me to another question. I have a Core 2 Duo E7400 im MY PC currently. I am thinking of putting this in the server, but there are going to be problems though. 1. My Core 2 Duo doesn't support Virtualization. 2. its too new for a 2006 motherboard ( I had to go for beta versions for my ASUS P5B-E motherboard in order to get it to work. 3. The Core 2 Duo E7400 only has 3 MB Cache where an older E6600 has 4 MB of Cache. Oh last but not least, its only a Desktop Processor, not a server processor and I think the Pentium D in the server is a Desktop Processor as well, so I don't think it really matters!

Anyways, IDK about my Pentium D supporting VT, but VMware worked well and do you think (if i can ever afford Win Server 2008 or get pirated version) that I can use that on a None VT processor and then use VMware, running Windows Server 2003 for Exchange 2003 or 2007?

Sorry for this long explanation.

Nihal

Manyak

VT only matters for 64 bit VM's. You can still run 32 bit VM's on any CPU, so sure go ahead and do that.

And if you'd like Server 2008, Vista, and Win7, you can get them through ACM.org and an MSDNAA subscription ($19), or if you're not a student you can get them (and R2) through a Technet subscription ($300).

But it doesn't matter if the processor is a server or desktop processor, they are almost identical. The main differences are the binning, higher heat tolerance, and (depending on model) multi-socket support. But I don't think you'll need any of that.

Honestly your Pentium D is fine for the server. If you want to know if it supports VT, run CPU-Z to see which model it is, and google it.

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judenihal

Hey sorry I took so long to reply. I managed to get my Server and its an Intel Pentium D 930 Processor. The motherboard is a 8i945GMH-RH. Also I only have 2 GB of PC2-4300 but I am thinking of taking 4 GB of PC-6400 out of one of my desktop machines into here. Since I was able to do this, I am thinking of running VMware ESX or just simply running Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 and run a VM (Windows Server 2003 Allocating 2 GB for Exchange Server).

Which is a better way?

judenihal

My server doesn't support any Core 2 Processor, just the Pentium D ones. I strongly believe you are right, Manyk. My Pentium D should run fine, but like I said in my last post, I got 4 GB of PC 6400 Desktop Memory in this server (hopefully it will run 24/7). Now, should I install Windows Server 2008 and then install Windows Server 2003 in a VM (My Pentium D 930 Processor doesn't support VT) and put Exchange Server 2003 in it?

I would really like to make my Pentium 4 Server a Terminal Server as well as an Internet Gateway (hopefully windows is secure enough). It only has 1 GB of PC 3200 RAM.