I am building a Web server, audio streaming and email server and I did a performance test and I want to know if a need more.

Projections:
Host 4 sites
Expected persons on the site 200 visitors
Streaming audio 2312 listenering
Bandwidth: 10m/1.5m

System information:
CPU Manufacturer: Genuine Intel
Number of CPU: 1
(2 Core(s)/CPU, 1 Logical(s)/Core)
CPU Type: Intel® Core™2 CPU 6420 @ 2.13GHz
CPU Speed: 2133.2 MHz
Cache size: 4096KB
O/S: Windows XP (WIN32)
Total RAM: 3070.5 MB.
Available RAM: 2511.3 MB.
Total Disk Space: 500 GBytes

Cluster Size: 4.0 KBytes
File system: NTFS

----
Please can you provide your feedback?
I was going to update my CPU to one of the following.

1) Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Processor BX80557E6850 - 3.0GHz, 4MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Conroe, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket 775, Processor with Fan Price $299.00
or
2) Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Processor BX80580Q9300 - 2.50GHz, 6MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Yorkfield, Quad Core, Retail, Socket 775, Processor with Fan Price $309

3)Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Processor EU80570PJ0876M - 3.16GHz, 6MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Wolfdale, Dual-Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor Price $289.00

Is it worth the upgrade and will it make a difference? If is worth it which CPU should I go with.

The Q9300 CPU would perform best of those 3 CPUs in your case, however I can’t tell you much about "Streaming audio 2312 listenering" and that CPU.

I wouldn't recommend upgrading anything if that's all you are going to use that server for. It should preform fine. However, your bandwidth may become an issue considering you only have 1.5m upload shared over 200 users. Another issue is the fact that you're streaming audio. Streaming + 200 peeps @ 1.5 shared = BAD.

Try to get some more bandwidth if anything.

Why XP as a server? XP is not meant to be a server... if you need to use windows for some reason, I would recommend getting a windows server license if you can afford it. Or, you could try using linux, since it's free and there are distros meant to be servers.

XP Pro is fine as a server. Why else package it with IIS?

Either that or Apache.

Apache > IIS


Well, traditionally, Windows has been bundled with IIS, so that home users can have a server for personal use, or for small-scale business use. However, it is not a server class OS, and for uses such as the ones he is describing, it does not seem like the best choice. I'd go with a LAMP server myself....

Great recommendations. I would not upgrade the hardware. I would try to get more bandwidth...streaming media will eat up all your bandwidth for the most part so look in to that. IF it is about 200 visitors I would probably be fine with IIS especially if you are comfortable with it. But do remember that IIS is chock full of security holes. I am a fan of open source software that runs on Windows and Apache would be my preference big time. I agree with tux and idontwantspam

thanks everyone
I am working to upgrade my Bandwidth to a more acceptable up speed. i am actually running
the following on my server

Apache HTTPD 2.2.8
Openssl 0.9.8g
MySQL 5.0.51a
PHP 5.2.5
PHP 4.4.8
phpMyAdmin 2.11.4
FileZilla FTP Server 0.9.25
Mercury Mail Transport System 4.52
Clamwin
Perl 5.8.8
mod_perl 2.0.3

System information update
2 Sata drive
Asus P5nsli 775 Motherboard
4 gig RAM (I know that XP will only see 3 GIG)


So based on you replies you would not recommed that i need any upgrade. maybe changing from XP to windows server 2003 better, is there any major difference if I change. the reason i am asking is for two reasons
1) i am not very familiar with windows 2003 server i am more comfortatble with XP.
2) I've put in a lot of work on the XP server and i change the OS to Windows server 2003 or 2008 i will lose all my data. Is there a way i can change and have all the programs and still installed. like MYSQL and etc without the need to reinstall the applications. If that is possible then i'll make the change.

The server is actually up and running now and works great i wanted to know if i needed more. I am going to build another server for the network office which will maybe 10 computer pulling file from it. or can i use the same server.

I am not sure that i am able or not to put my url but here goes http://www.rahtidfm.com

I am building an actual radio station in Jamaica and will obtain the finally license in about 3-4 months. so i now preparing all the harware and software before i get the green light.

Want to know if i am missing anything in refernce to the computer side of it either harware or software. yes i have all the cabling and routers . anything else.

Note:
I am not by far an IT guru. I am learning while i go.so any help will be welcome.

You could switch up to XP 64bit to see that extra RAM, or use WIndows Home Server.

IIS 5 will only give you issues security-wise if you leave it unupdated (run Windows Update) or leave it on the default config out of the box. IIS 6 should run fine security-wise out of the box. In this sense, installing Server 2003/2008 would be a wise choice.

Please also note that Windows Server 2003 costs $400+

getting windows 2003 /2008 in not the issue.

Ok maybe changing from XP to windows server 2003 better, is there any major difference if I change. the reason i am asking is for two reasons
1) i am not very familiar with windows 2003 server i am more comfortatble with XP.
2) I've put in a lot of work on the XP box and if i change the OS to Windows server 2003 or 2008 i will lose all my data. Is there a way i can change and have all the programs and still installed. like MYSQL and etc without the need to reinstall the applications. If that is possible then i'll make the change.

IIS is not an issue as i use Apache as my webserver

So that developers can test their web apps before deploying them to a real IIS server.

Also, if you plan on using IIS under XP you will not get more than 10 users at a time (not 10 per site, 10 users total). Get yourself a real server license. Windows Server 2003 Web Edition isn't really that much. For that matter, neither is Windows Web Server 2008.






Since when? IIS5 (Windows 2000) had a few serious holes that were fixed for the most part. IIS6, on the other hand, is rock solid and has had very few security bulletins released since 2003 went Gold.

My apologizes, but I think the main question is being lost here, IIS is not going to be used for my web server I am using apache, which can has unlimited connections.

The main question is as follows
I've put in a lot of work on the XP box and if I change the OS to Windows server 2003 or 2008 I will lose all my data. Is there a way I can change and have all the programs and still installed? Like MYSQL and etc without the need to reinstall the applications.

Other option is to upgrade the 32 bit XP pro to 64 bit XP pro. If I did would a lose all my data again.

The final question. What is the major gain for upgrading to windows server 2003/8 is it for IIS connections. It’s not worth it because apache takes care of that the connection limitation that IIS has in XP.

The only problem I see is to create a domain controller and active directory on XP in not possible. So I might have to build another server with windows 2003/08 to act as the DNS server domain controller and active directory.

If you read my post it mentions all the hardware and software on the server. The question is that sufficient

The connection limit is imposed at the network layer, not the application. If you get 10 open active connections simultaneously, you will fail to host new connections. It should not be a regular issue (most web servers don't have persisitent open connections unless the client and server require it and send keep-alive headers), but it CAN happen on an XP box hosting any web server.

One thing you would benefit from on Server vs XP is the longer quantum for running tasks before context swtching, better background-task memory management (for services like IIS or apache), and no limit to inbound connections (CAL limits, but not limited at the TCP stack). You could of course patch tcpip.sys to bypass this limitation, but of course that would violate the EULA and such.

Thanks for excellent reply,

Would the benefit of the move be significantly worth it from were you stand.
Right now if I moved to windows server 2003 I would be able to the move utilize the 4 GIG RAM I already have in the XP and even many be goto 8 gig RAM

you wont be able to use more then 4 gigs on any 32-bit os. im not sure if you could upgrade xp to server. i would suggest that you take a look into the Web Server 2008. if you want to be able to use more then 4 gigs of ram just install the 64bit version of it instead of the 32bit.

I know that XP is limited to 3 GIGs RAM and i running 4 GIG RAM on my XP now. I think after it all I am going to have to upgrae to Windows 2008 . I am just afraid that the update is going to be a pain.

I not even sure that the following program will work on a 64bit windows 2008.

Apache HTTPD 2.2.8
Openssl 0.9.8g
MySQL 5.0.51a
PHP 5.2.5
PHP 4.4.8
phpMyAdmin 2.11.4
FileZilla FTP Server 0.9.25
Mercury Mail Transport System 4.52
Clamwin
Perl 5.8.8
mod_perl 2.0.3

I might use my Kids computer( they are going to be upset) for 2 days and put windows 2008 on it and test all the programs to see if they work. Then if i am happy, then make the change to the server.

Now the question is when or if a make that move to windows 2008 64 BIT will my present setup

• CPU Manufacturer: Genuine Intel
• Number of CPU: 1
• (2 Core(s)/CPU, 1 Logical(s)/Core)
• CPU Type: Intel® Core™2 CPU 6420 @ 2.13GHz
• CPU Speed: 2133.2 MHz
• Cache size: 4096KB
• O/S: Windows XP (WIN32)
• Total RAM: 3070.5 MB.
• Available RAM: 2511.3 MB.
• Total Disk Space: 500 GBytes
• 2 Sata Hard Drives
• Asus P5nsli 775 Motherboard
• 4 gig RAM (I know that XP will only see 3 GIG)

Will I be able to run the following setup with now problems or do i have to upgrade my CPU or more RAM from 4 to 8

Host 4 sites
Expected persons on the site 200 visitors concurrent
Streaming audio 2312 listenering concurrent
Domain controller

The last thing is which windows server 2008

1. Windows Server 2008 Standard (x86 and x64)
2. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (x86 and x64)
3. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter (x86 and x64)
4. Windows Web Server 2008 (x86 and x64)

Apache HTTPD 2.2.8
Openssl 0.9.8g
MySQL 5.0.51a
PHP 5.2.5
PHP 4.4.8
phpMyAdmin 2.11.4
FileZilla FTP Server 0.9.25
Mercury Mail Transport System 4.52
Clamwin
Perl 5.8.8
mod_perl 2.0.3

I am not asure about the mercury mail transport system but I am pretty sure the rest would work.

I'd go with Web Edition.

If money isn't a problem then go with Standard.

Not true. Research AWE and PAE.

XP (and all 32bit Windows desktop OSes, 2000/XP/Vista) are limited to 4GB of RAM, but 2GB (or 3GB with /3GB boot.ini switch) of virtual address space per process (1GB for kernel if /3GB is used).

Windows 2008 x86 can utilize 32 or 64GB of RAM in certain scenarios (if the apps support AWE), and x64 much more than that.

Ok,
Here goes, I just bought windows server 2003 OS and I am going to install it tonight.

I have (2) SATA hard drives. If can move all my data from C XP OS) to D and install server 2003 on C: I should be able to retrieving the software.

I thinking of deleting the partition in C: with the present OS and then install windows server only.

Please can you provide me with the best option of installing windows Server 2003 RC 2. This option should not slow this system or create must additional work.

Less work is ideal, but no lost of performance.

The best option is to backup your data and do a completely fresh install (format C:). This may not seem like the fastest method, but it will be in the long run. It'll save you a lot of troubleshooting problems later on, which often times result in a reinstall anyway.

Thanks, I thought that would be the best solution. Ok this is going to be a long night. To back my information then install a new OS then reinstall the application YIKE!

Then learn how to use Windows 2003

Ok
Update

I installed the Windows 2003 and all went ok. The OS is now recognizing the 4GB of RAM. The problem I had last night was that the CPU Fan burned out. I know it was making some noise when it was on The XP PRO. I guess that it was just the normal time for it to go.

My question is. Since I Prefer apache as a Web server over IIS. I had to uninstall IIS as it was using my port 80(conflict). Now IIS is uninstalled will it affect like my domain controller, DNS.

No, it won't affect DNS or your AD. The only thing it would affect related to your AD would be if you installed a certificate services server on the DC (don't!), as that relies on IIS. Assuming it was a default install of 2003, and cert services isn't a default installed component, you don't have to worry about this at all.

My final Question

When I installed Windows 2003 I used my F: drive and so my C: still has windows XP pro. When i boot up and can choose XP pro and Windows server 2003. I feeling very comforatble with windows 2003 now so i need to remove thwe XP from the C: drive my question is as follows

When i reformat the c: drive will their be any booting issue or will it just boot up into windows 2003.

NO, DO NOT format your C:\ drive, for two reasons:
1) It is not necessary, you can just delete all the previous XP related files and delete from BOOT.INI the entry XP related
2) By formatting the C:\ drive (aka First drive first active partition) you will also delete the three files:
BOOT.INI
NTLDR
NTDETECT.COM
(and maybe also NTBOOTDD.SYS and BOOTFONT.BIN)
that are needed to boot your install of 2003 on F:\ as well

jaclaz

thanks for the warning

Please can you advse then how do a get XP off my server.

Setup
C: running XP Pro (80 GB SATA)
D: and F: (300 GB SATA)Two Partition

F: Has the Windows Server 2003

Marvin