A Virtualized SBS 2011 and RDS Setup Completed With Some Pics

One of the projects we are just in the process of closing up was the following:

• Intel Server System SR1695GPRX2AC
• Intel Xeon X3470 CPU, 32GB Kingston 1066MHz ECC, Intel RS2BL040 RAID + BBU, 300GB 15K SAS in RAID 10
• Intel Remote Management Module 3 (RMM3LITE) for KVM/out-of-band access to host.
• Cisco SA520-K9
• Cisco 48 Port Small Business Series Gigabit Switch
• APC SMT1500RM2U UPS
• Provides clean power to the networking components.
• APC SMT2200RM2U UPS + AP9630 Remote Management
• Provides clean power to the Intel Server System
• APC NetShelter VX 24U Enclosure (AR3104)

The software for this solution (Open Value Agreement with the 3 year spread payment option) that covers all users:

• Small Business Server 2011 Standard
• Small Business Server 2011 Premium Add-On
• Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard 1+1 for the host OS.
• Windows Remote Desktop Services CALs
• Office Standard
• Windows Desktop OS Software Assurance + MDOP

Here are some shots of the finished server deploy:

• APC AR3104 from the front.

• APC AR3104 from the rear.

The finished product:

We are using SBS 2011 native backup and Windows Server Backup on the RDS server to back up the VMs to Microsoft iSCSI Software Target based VHDs located on the hard drive in the drive dock.

The RDS server hosts an LoB (Line of Business) application being delivered by RD RemoteApp along with Microsoft Office.

This particular client has two satellite offices that will be connecting to the LoB and Office via RemoteApp with a standard DSL Internet connection (3Mbit down and 1Mbit up).

Remote printing via RD RemoteApp is via HP LaserJet Professional P1606dn printers using the most recent HP driver (5.0.1 as of this writing).

We brought in our shop vacuum to clean out the entire area that the server equipment is sitting in. The dust settles over time, so we made sure to start with a clean slate plus we will pop in with the vacuum once every six months or so to keep that area as clean as possible.

A point to consider when it comes to deploying any IT solution into an SMB/SME business is that much of what we do is “virtual”. Meaning that we set up some physical boxes with a bunch of software products and then manage it.

What that means is that “Presentation is Critical”!

Make sure that the solution is tidy with cables tucked neatly away, all surfaces clean (Windex works great), and no papers/paperwork is left lying around the workspace if any.

Another important point when it comes to setting up or visiting a client’s site for any work is to “Leave the scene cleaner than the way we found it”!

That means cleaning up the mess left by the phone line technician or alarm technician that was in that space before us. We may not realize it, but the client notices the state of their space and who makes the messes.

In this case, our client, the business owner is very happy with what they have seen and used on their new IT Solution.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*Our original iMac was stolen (previous blog post). We now have a new MacBook Pro courtesy of Vlad Mazek, owner of OWN.

Windows Live Writer