Evaluating Existing Hardware
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
When you evaluate your existing hardware, you must determine if the hardware meets the recommended hardware requirements for Windows Server 2003 and verify that the hardware is listed in the Windows Server Catalog for Windows Server 2003. If your hardware does not meet these requirements, you might need to acquire new hardware or upgrade your existing hardware.
Your organization might also have existing standards in place that specify the standard configuration for file servers. If so, make sure that your file servers meet those requirements as well.
Reviewing the Recommended Hardware Requirements and the Windows Server Catalog
Microsoft recommends that file servers running Windows Server 2003 should meet the hardware requirements listed in Table 2.8.
Table 2.8 Recommended Hardware Requirements for Windows Server 2003
| Operating System | CPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition |
550 MHz |
256 MB |
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition |
550 MHz |
256 MB |
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition |
550 MHz* |
512 MB minimum |
*For servers on which you are upgrading from Windows 2000 Datacenter Server, the minimum processor speed is 400 MHz.
The section "Determining RAM and CPU Specifications" later in this chapter provides specific guidelines for how increasing CPU and RAM can improve file server performance. If the server provides additional services or acts as a domain controller, the server must meet higher requirements than those listed here. For more information about hardware requirements for domain controllers, see "Planning Domain Controller Capacity" in Designing and Deploying Directory and Security Services of this kit.
In addition to verifying that your hardware meets the recommended requirements for file servers, verify that all hardware devices on the file server are listed in the Windows Server Catalog. Only Designed for Windows Server 2003 hardware is included in the Windows Server Catalog, which means that the hardware is designed to take advantage of new features in Windows Server 2003.
For more information about hardware requirements for server clusters, see "Designing and Deploying Server Clusters" in this book.
Before you install Windows Server 2003, you can run a hardware and software compatibility check by running the Windows Upgrade Advisor from the Windows Server 2003 operating system CD. The compatibility check does not require you to actually begin an installation. To run the check, insert the Windows Server 2003 operating system CD in the CD-ROM drive and, when a display appears, follow the prompts for checking system compatibility. You will be offered the option to download the latest Setup files (by using Dynamic Update) when you run the check. If you have Internet connectivity, it is recommended that you allow the download.
Another way to run the Windows Upgrade Advisor is to insert the Windows Server 2003 operating system CD in the CD-ROM drive, open a command prompt, and type:
d:\I386\winnt32 /checkupgradeonly
In this example, d represents the CD-ROM drive.
For more information about hardware and software compatibility, see the following resources:
To download the Windows Upgrade Advisor, see the Windows Upgrade Advisor link on the Web Resources page at https://www.microsoft.com/windows/reskits/webresources.
For more information about hardware compatibility, see the Windows Server Catalog link on the Web Resources page at https://www.microsoft.com/windows/reskits/webresources.
For more information about application compatibility, see "Planning and Testing for Application Deployment" in Planning, Testing, and Piloting Deployment Projects of this kit.
Verifying That Mass Storage Controllers Are Supported
If your file servers use a mass storage controller (such as a SCSI, RAID, or Fibre Channel adapter) for disks, confirm that it is compatible with products in the Windows Server 2003 family.
If your controller is compatible with products in the Windows Server 2003, but you are aware that the manufacturer has supplied a separate driver file for use with your operating system, obtain the file (on a floppy disk) before you begin Setup. During the early part of Setup, a line at the bottom of the screen prompts you to press F6. Further prompts guide you in supplying the driver file to Setup so that it can gain access to the mass storage controller.
If you are not sure whether you must obtain a separate driver file from the manufacturer of your mass storage controller, you can try running Setup. If the controller is not supported by the driver files on the Windows Server 2003 operating system CD, and it therefore requires a driver file supplied by the hardware manufacturer, Setup stops and displays a message saying that no disk devices can be found, or it displays an incomplete list of controllers. After you obtain the necessary driver file, restart Setup, and press F6 when prompted.
Verifying That Your Hardware Meets Your Requirements
If your organization has a standard configuration for file servers, verify that your existing file servers meet these requirements. If they do, proceed to "Planning File Server Security" later in this chapter. If your organization plans to update its standard file server configuration, continue to "Choosing the File Server Type."
Identifying Servers to Use as Windows Server 2003 File Servers
Identify the file servers on which you plan to run Windows Server 2003, as well as the servers that you plan to decommission as a result of consolidation or failure to meet hardware requirements.