Server(s) Question?
Question:
All servers are running MSWindows2003.
There is a test server, that I understand is to simply test for issues that could result from hardware/software upgrades etc, and that only that PC would be testing.
Then there is the development server... this is another "test" server in a sense, although now is seen and used by the users. If issues arise with that larger population, then you can back out the software etc.
Then there is the final production server. I am not sure how this server differs from the development server?
Maybe, if things are running smooth on the development server, would you then install the software again to the production server? I am not sure that the development and production server "see" each other in any way?? I assume they are completely different servers? With just mirrored/tested software and hardware?
Also... what would it mean for a server to go "virtual"?
TIA!
Answer:
This is a hard question to answer without knowing the intent of the people who set them up.
Based on the terminology you used in the question, I would assume that the test server is simply to try new things out. We have a few where I work and we install evaluation versions of software to test the functionality.
The Development server might be used to make changes to existing software you have in production. Its configuration should be as close as possible to the the production server.
The production server should have a stable build that is not changed unless you have first impemented the changes on the development server w/out problems.
Virtualization is a great way to create multiple servers/workstations on a single box. To run properly, you must have a fairly robust server, as memory and processing power is shared with other virtual machines and the host server. You will need licensing for each virtual machine you run on a server, so software costs are generally not lower. I think the main arguements for virtualization are power savings and disaster recovery (as far as the host server is concerned, the virtual machine is a file!) You can create virtual machines in production or test environments.
There are several options available in the virtualization arena, but the first place you should stop in my opinion, is www.vmware.com. They are the market leader. Microsoft has it's own option, which is pretty good too.
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