Can a Windows 2008 server become a Windows 2008 Storage server?
- I am looking at creating a Storage Server for a clients network. Is it possible to use Windows 2008 Server to create a Windows 2008 Storage Server? They need either a NAS or SAN and have a Server 2008 license and an older server with more than 2 TB of storage available in the box.
Thanks a lot for any input.
Jon Harris
Answers
Hi Jon,
I deeply understand that cost is a major concern for the client. If he wants to use Windows Server 2008 just as a centralized file server, this is possible that he can use Windows Server 2008. If he really wants to utilize SIS, I am afraid that Windows Storage Server 2008 will be needed.
Thank you.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.- Marked As Answer byJon Harris Thursday, July 02, 2009 8:41 AM
All Replies
- Hello John,
I am not sure if regular W2K8 can support storage requirements. Take a look at this
http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2009/05/05/windows-storage-server-2008-is-here.aspx
Isaac Oben MCITP:EA, MCSE Hello Jon,
As far as I know, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Storage Server 2008 are different operation system products. Windows Storage Server 2008 is specialized version of Windows Server 2008. It is a solid mid-market to small enterprise storage solution. A centralized management console and optimized file services help simplify the tasks surrounding storage management.
Before we go any further, I would like to confirm the exact question. Do you want to know whether Windows Server 2008 can connect to SAN and support more than 2TB disk? If so, I'd like to confirm that a Windows Server 2008 can connect to SAN or NAS storage and can support large storage. If you want to use large storage, you could create partitions greater than 2TB on Windows Server 2008. This is possible by changing it from MBR disks (the default) to GPT disks.
For more information on how to get started with GPT disks, please see refer to:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/GPT-on-x64.mspx
Hope it helps.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.- Marked As Answer byDavid Shen - MSFTMSFT, ModeratorTuesday, June 30, 2009 10:05 AM
- Unmarked As Answer byDavid Shen - MSFTMSFT, ModeratorWednesday, July 01, 2009 2:53 AM
- I believe you answered my question in the first paragraph. The client does not have a SAN or a NAS but needs one. They do have an older server that will not support VT technology that they are willing to convert to some form of central file storage. I was reading about Storage Server and thought that the product might work for them. They do have a Server 2008 x64 license and the server hardware. I saw nothing that indicated one way or the other if Storage server was a separate product or if a Standard Server would work like it. They are also unwilling at this time to purchase another license.
Jon - I had ssen that and that is why I was asking the question. It seems to imply that it is possible but at the same time it is saying only partners will be getting access to this technology and that they will be selling appliances only. Not what I was hoping but the first person seems to be saying the same thing only a little clearer. Standard Server can not be a Storage Server.
Jon Hello Jon,
Actually, it depends on the exact requirement of the customer to determine whether Windows Storage Server is needed.
Basically, we can also use SAN or NAS storage by using Windows Server 2008. As you may notice, the "Storage Manager for SANs" feature is also included in a normal Windows Server 2008 server when adding feature in Server Manager. If you only need to implement a centralized storage, a normal Windows Server 2008 server can meet the requirement.
However, if the client wants to use some specific storage component (ex. Single Instance Storage (SIS) v2, iSCSI Software Target 3.2 , File Server Optimization) which is provided only by Windows Storage Server 2008, he will need to contact the Microsoft OEM partner for getting the Windows Storage Server.
For you reference, I have included a Windows Storage Server blog
http://blogs.technet.com/StorageServer/
Hope the information will be helpful.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.- There is a real need for SIS in this case but they could live without it. They are looking at this storage as a place to put copies of Virtual machines they are running. I will look at the Storage Manager for SANs and see if that will meet the needs.
Jon - I just reread your entry. There is no SAN and the client will not purchase any at this time, so your idea is of no value. Please note I did say there was no SAN and no NAS in this environment. Cost is a major issue for this client. They already have hardware and a license they were going to put to use elsewhere. Thank you for your time.
Jon Hi Jon,
I deeply understand that cost is a major concern for the client. If he wants to use Windows Server 2008 just as a centralized file server, this is possible that he can use Windows Server 2008. If he really wants to utilize SIS, I am afraid that Windows Storage Server 2008 will be needed.
Thank you.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.- Marked As Answer byJon Harris Thursday, July 02, 2009 8:41 AM
