My partner and I are setting up an ecommerce web site with the following requirements:

Windows 2000 Server
ASP and ASP.NET
SQL Server 2000
PHP and MySQL (for VBulletin support forums)
SSL
Storage server for large images uploaded to us

We plan on purchasing a Dell Power Edge server, but are open to all suggestions. We would like to know what configuration would best work for what we need (ie 2 servers, one for web, one for db, and what hardware, etc). Basically, if you were to set this up, what would you use including all hardware?

Thanks,

Mark

I'd recommend a Unix variant :D.

That being said, if you are going to allow people to upload files to your server, you should absolutely put the database on a second server that is very well locked down. Being able to upload content via HTTP can leave yourself open to some very serious security holes. Putting your customer data on a seperate server will help protect your customers as well as you.

Well, we plan on using ASP.NET so we're stuck with Win2000 :)

We're going to use an upload component from WebSuperGoo that uses ActiveX. I think it doesn't send through the HTTP headers this way... not sure though.

What would you recommend as the web server and the database server. Our site will be heavily database driven. Do you think we will experience problems running MySQL and SQL Server 2000 on the same server?

Thanks,

Mark

I don't think you can do wrong with Dell hardware and support. I have experienced great things from them

However, since you are pushing for a clustered type system you may want to check out some of the Server Blade platforms out there. They are excellent for failover / fault tolerance as well as extensibility.

Also, Windows 2000 with ASP.NET is an excellent platform. They have finally implemented a lot of the things that Unix has had since before the wheel was invented -- sandboxing et al.

Good luck!

Scott

To go with a pair of Dell Servers, but split the services to 2 servers. One for SQL2K/MySQL and the other server for the rest of the stuff you need to have. Have lots of RAM on the Database server

Cheers

Thanks for the info. Where can I find out more about Server Blades?

Also, does anyone know which type of licensing we'll need to run Win2000 Server as a Web Server?

Thanks,

Mark

You are better off with 2 Dell servers than "blade" servers (for now). They are not proven and most are stuck to a specific configuration (that will change latter this year).

All you need in an OEM or Retail version of W2k (if you need clustering or load balancing, take a look at Advanced Server). For the SQL server, if you connect it the 'Net you will need a processor license for it.

Hope that helps!

For a look at some blade technology, see the Compaq ProLiant BL's. RackMy is correct with regards to being stuck with limited settings though, and for what you are describing they are probably overkill. They'd be fun to have though!

Scott