Currently we have an installation of 120 NT servers and around 3 - 5000 workstation running NT 3.51 in one Domain. In addition, we are using SMS 1.0 to distribute our applications and MS Exchange 4.0 as our email package. In general, most of our setup uses the Microsoft suite of produces, both front end and back office.

We are going to be rolling out our second major domain in the next couple of months. In addition, we are kicking off a project to upgrade our NT, SMS, and Exchange. With all three products coming up with new versions in the new future, one question we are weighing the balance of is, should we wait or do the interim step.

Other issues we have been working/struggling with are:

backup solutions (and how to implement) - we currently have our backups setup so that we have the operating system on each server twice, for backups the server will reboot into a "backup partition" and then be able to do a backup of the "production partition" in complete including all system files. This system does not always work. We are working to make this a more stable system.

UPS for workstation where power is bad - at several sites, the power that comes into the building is less than stable and we are researching which UPS would be cost effective and efficiency for fluctuating power. RAS - we are working on a 32 port modem pool for users to be able to dial into. Originally we had 16 modems and have had great difficulty in upgrading to 32. virus scanning - we are working on an efficient way to scan all servers and workstations to minimize the risk of infection. ease of user administration - with the size our organization, we always need to find the easiest way to effiecently do user admin. conversion from Netware - previously we were on a Novell Netware system and have been converting over to an exclusive NT system, removing all Netware. reporting on everything - For full evaluation by senior management we have been requested for reporting on just about everything. We have been working on getting the most informative information into report automatically.

Colleen Remer
TDS/CS
colleen.remer@teldta.com
8401 Greenway Blvd.
PO Box 620980
Middleton, WI 53562
608-828-8238