We want to control internet access, security camera software, office, updates, and remote assistance. Those are the main things. We have 30 computers, but probably more like 100-150 users that could need access at some point.

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Let me get my 2 cents in... 1. I agree with Jefro and CurtR...based on the questions your asking, and the level of knowledge we are interpreting from your question...HIRE A PRO...does not have to be expensive...there are a lot of guys that work on the side...check thru your local newspaper, maybe somebody is advertising... 2. Windows 2003 is NOT difficult, if you know something about what you are doing...if you are starting out on step 1 of the ladder, then you will NOT be successful getting everything working smoothly on this, your first attempt... 3. I believe someone mentioned 2003SBS...a good choice for 30 users, allowing among other extras, Exchange for email stuff, shared calendars etc...First thing you want to do is buy a book on 2003SBS...you do NOT set it up the SAME as you do 2003 Server...Small Business Server Unleashed by Eriq Oliver Neale is pretty good...read it... Build the 2003SBS, then do it again...by the 3-4th time you have built a SBS server, you will start to understand what's going on... 4. Workgroup is NOT an option for 30 users... 5. How much data are you storing...???..How important is it...???...memberships, financial data...???...if so than you need to do a HARDWARE RAID5...and some kind of back up...tape is good, DVD or CD is ok depending on the amount of data... 6. If you are not storing CRITICAL data, then consider buying a ready build server, Dell for example...not too expensive...and it will have 2 drives, mirrored...this is ok for the small domain... 7. We really can't determine your level of experience, or your level of knowledge...but you are taking on a BIG project with multiple pits, some of them very deep, that if you don't do it right the first time, correcting those mistakes at a later date could be very difficult in terms of time and expense... 8. If nothing else, get a consultant to at least oversee what you do... Good luck

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Most people tend to put too many holes in the security of 2003 so I suggest that you get trained first. It rather defeats the purpose to use a hardened server and open it all up. We are kind of getting somewhere now. I didn't mean to suggest that you can't do this. I just felt that it would be in your best interests to be trained. A 2003 bootcamp is something like $5K for a week or 10 days. All of that information is free on the technet or other MS sites almost word for word. The 70-29X books might take you a few months part time to maybe a week or two full time. It would be well worth the churches money to pay for training. Security of personal information, protection of records and data, secure the system are all good reasons to use a server. There might be a linux/solaris solution also that may work but the learning curve is a bit steeper. "Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, antivirus, anti-spyware, Live CD's, backups, are in my top 10

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I took colege classes for server 2k3 about 4 years ago, never to exams for cert. I could take a refresher course and be in ok shape. (I think...lol) The problem is that all the sensitive data is on the existing computer running win2k as a shared folder with user rights assigned to certain people. the hard drive is 200gb with about 40gb free, the backup system is an external HD.

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Whew....you DO need a RAID and proper backup. While an external HDD is ok it's not the best answer for backup. A good backup should always include a copy of the backup being stored offsite. That's why I recommended tapes. If it were me, given the option and funds, I would have the RAID, I would have an external HDD with a copy of the backup on it, and I would also have tape backups (updated nightly) that were removed offsite. The external HDD is handy for a quick restore. The offsite means you can deal with a natural disaster or fire etc without out a total loss of data. I mentioned 2003SBS. I highly recommend checking into it and see if it fits your requirements. Keep in mind, growth is a requirement. So if you see the network and number of clients growing significantly over the next 5 years, then SBS may not be the best answer in the long run. I would recommend you hire a good consultant. Make it a part of his/her contract that they work closely with you so that you're fully acquainted with the entire setup. If you're in on it from the word go, you'll get a good refresher and know the entire setup intimately.

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