How is the recommended set up? Do you put SQL Server, Windows Server, Billing and Control Panel on one server?

Chad

SQL Server requires windows server OS, so your OS for the SQL server box must be Windows Server. It all depends on your requirements and the level of usage of your sites.

I would recommend putting them on a single box if you do not have extreme usage. Although this then only has a single point of failure. We really need more information on what you are going to be doing with the system.

Please provide more information on what you are trying to accomplish. Ideally services are best kept on their own dedicated machine with other fault tolerance built in. Regardless, the Windows Server OS is the underlying OS required for MS SQL so it should of course be installed.

Sql Server also has to be windows server standard OS or better. the web OS version won't work.

Regards,
Kyle M. (http://www.hostiowa.net)

I am trying to figure out the best server software configuration for a new hosting business.

I am trying to figure out the best server software configuration for a new hosting business. I want to offer good performance as well as reliability. My initial thought was to put SQL, mail client, and billing on one server and the control panel on another. I understand that it will come at the cost of vmware and 2 operating systems. Would the reliability and performance be worth the cost? I have not bought a server yet, but I am looking at 2x Intel Xeon X5660, 2.8Ghz. Would it make sense to split the services on this unit? Is this a decent server for hosting static and dynamic websites with limited storage per hosting account?

Chad