Multi-purpose servers..discussion

Hi,
I have a question regarding multi-purpose servers
Let’s say we have Active Directory, Domain Controller, DNS server,
Anti Virus server, ISA server, Websence, Application server,
File server...etc
And we only have only 3 Physical servers

My question: based on what i can install above servers on the Physical server? i mean, how i can know if ISA server is working fine with AV server on the same Physical server? or DNS with File server and so on...
Is there any limits that makes me to do not install ISA with AV..or x with y..?
I’m talking about software and function limits not hardware.

Waiting you replies.

Cheers

It shouldn't be a problem.. but for a real environment it's not recommended to install it all on 1 system.

I recommend ISA on a single server with no other crap arround it, else you would compromise your security big time...

for testing purpose it's excellent

I want to say that it's a fact that you cannot install ISA on a domain controller (at least while the DC is actually a DC running AD). I've tried it a few times and midway through the install I get a very vague error from Windows saying that ISA failed to install. I did a bit of research that basically led me to believe that I have to demote the DC to a standalone server before I can install ISA (which I'm not willing to do). I've been wanting to install it on my other server, but until I figure out why the other server keeps freezing, I don't want to proceed.

It's OK to install DNS on the same server as the server running AD as this will allow DNS to be Active Directory integrated (an advanced configuration of DNS that introduces many benefits to DNS, but can only be enabled when DNS is installed on the same server as the DC).

It makes sense to install Websense, ISA, and AV on the same server, but consider Untangle ( untangle.com/ ) and let me know what you think ;-)

You could also consider virtualisation using something like VMWare server. Then each 'machine' would be running independently. You'd have to make sure your host hardware was up to it though and reliable enough

thanks for your replys....i hoped that there will be like a standard
or whatever that tells us.." hey don’t install this with that because
it will decrease it is performance...etc" and these stuffs...
i guess our only choice is to install whatever we have on our servers and see if it is working fine or no

thanks for your replys....i hoped that there will be like a standard
or whatever that tells us.." hey don’t install this with that because
it will decrease it is performance...etc" and these stuffs...
i guess our only choice is to install whatever we have on our servers and see if it is working fine or no

That would "best practice" "standards" ...........I invite all to write what they are so we don't learn the hard way!