Get Your Net WorkING!

This is a RAID

Occassionally, we're questioned on the value of putting a proper RAID controller in a server. Put simply, RAID stands for Redundent Array of Inexpensive Disks, and is a technique that uses more disks that is strictly necessary for the required storage, and uses the additional space to store everything more than once. That way, if one disk fails (and they are complex mechanical devices that do fail), no data is lost.

RAID is built into Windows Server, but it's not a solution we recommend. A hardware RAID controller is faster, more reliable (we've had experience of Windows software RAID failing and losing data), and in the more sophisticated solutions you can swap failed disks in and out while the server is still running, with no downtime at all. We were reminded of the advantages of this when a client called the other morning to say that his server had a problem, he'd got it started up, but it was saying that there was an error with the array. Luckily, he'd not only got a hardware RAID card, but he'd also invested in a spare disk in a carrier, so all he had to do was pull out the disk with the error light and slide his spare one in. This was a two minute job, and he didn't need to take the server down either.

This cost him a total of around £500 about three years ago. Given that he had no downtime following the failure, and he didn't need to pay us anything to get back up and running, he's probably recouped that cost already.

Bottom line: If your server's important to you, then pay the extra for a configuration that protects your data and your business.

Free spam filtering?

We had a client recently complaining that he was suddenly getting a lot of spam on his Exchange server - probably because his address has just made it onto the lists these people use to hassle us. Because he wasn't using Sophos, our preferred anti-virus, anti-spam solution, we looked at alternative solutions, and we hit on one that was free. Buried deep in the menus for the latest Exchange Service Pack is an Intelligent Message Filter - a bit of investigation of the various technical documents, half an hour's configuration and testing and presto: reduced spam in all the inboxes.

If you're running Exchange or Small Business Server, and think you're getting more adverts for Viagra than you really, really need, give us a call and we'll wave the same magic fairy dust over your server.

On your marks: a manifesto

We all know how difficult it is to communicate with the people around our businesses - customers, suppliers, associates, etc. We sent multiple emails, make phone calls all day, and even text, but sometimes even that even that's not enough to get out the news of some great idea you've just had. I've been toying with the idea of sending out an e-mail newsletter, but frankly we all already have enough in our inbox these days, and keeping a website up to date is just too much to do on top of everything else.

So I've decided it's time to set up a weblog. And here it is.

ing IT Services is a small business IT consultancy based around the Farnham area. If you're already a client of ours, then regard this as the place to find out what's happening that could affect your business, whether it's a new development within the technology world, a case study from one of our other clients that could provide value to you, or merely a change in the way we're doing business in a changing environment. Feel free to read, and comment too - you feedback is always welcome.

If you're not a client, then you're still free to wander and comment. We hope you find the content here useful.