2010 Project proposal /
The benefits of deploying new updated hardware to ensure business continuity. /
Alex Scheidel /
3/17/2010 /
Executive Summary
Deploying a new Windows Small Business Server (referred to as “SBS server” from here on), Storage Area Network (referred to as “SAN server” from here on) and network equipment at HESCO will allow HESCO to ensure information technology server and service reliability.This equates to less possible downtime of mission critical applications and devices which helps prevents lost revenue due to service outages.
Background
Our current SBS server is approaching five years old, 4-5 years is the reliable life expectancy of most server hardware. Server hardware can potentially last longer, however, as the SBS server provides critical services to our network -such as the X drive, N Drive, O Drive, Email, and Authentication for all user accounts - it is advisable to upgrade the hardware before potential failure becomes a realistic possibility. In addition the current SBS server was a custom built server and currently has no warranty or vendor support, if a hardware component fails it may be harder to rectify the issue.
We do believe in maximizing the return on investment for equipment, so now, as it also has been in past practice, we will rotate the current SBS server to a less strenuous role with less critical services running on it.The current SBS server is slated to replace a server which is over 7 years old. The server which the old SSB server will replace is running and Operating System that is a decade old (Windows Server 2000) which will only be supported for security updates at this point and only until 7/13/2010. Microsoft will stopsupporting Windows Server 2000 after thatdate, no updates at all will be released for it and there will also be no vendor support.
We will then analyze our current needs to evaluate rotating the Windows Server 2000 machine to an even less critical role than it plays now in order to get more return on investment.
In addition to the age, support, and warranty concerns noted above, we have come to a point where the storage on the current SBS machine is nearly full. There are currently limited resolutions to this issue aside from investing more money in additional storage drives for the current machine. The storage capacity of the new server is far more generous. With the planned deployment of the new server we are also looking at ways to better archive and store data as to avoid similar issues with the new SBS machine in the future.
Finally the new 24-port switch is a recommended purchase in order to better grasp our network picture, data load and bottle necks. It is a managed switch which will allow us to see exactly what traffic is coming and going from the servers and also allow us to see the data going and coming from the other unmanaged switches. This will allow us the better address network issues and have a better handle on our overall Computer network health.
Desired Outcomes
It is desired that at the end of this project we will have a better IT policy in place as well as additional storage and more assured reliability across several critical services as well as non-critical services. We also hope to have a more efficient way to determine network congestion and other issues that creep up through the deployment of a new managed switch. Finally by deploying a SAN server we also decentralize storage from the server itself allowing us to quickly move data from one machine to another if needed in order to maintain business continuity.
Risks
Risks are minimal in terms of implementation, the new machine will be set up separately then deployed off hours in order to minimize business impact, and decrease required time during off hours to integrate the new system. Other non-critical systems may be down during on hours periodically until the old SBS box is set up and integrated into the network to take on its new role. Overall risks involved in this project are minimal.
Alternatives
Alternatives would be to upgrade current hardware, and hope that none of the current server hardware fails.
Budget
Please see the attached information for pricing on hardware.
Page 1