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Storage server roles
There are two primary roles that a ProLiant Storage Server can perform in your environment.
• File server
• Print serve
r
File server
A file server is a NAS solution that provides easy-to-use, rapidly deployable network storage with
multi-protocol file sharing and print ser ving services. The file server comes pre-installed with the Microsoft
Windows Storage Server 2003 R2 operating system and storage-specific management tools.
Thefollowingarescenarioswhereafile server can be deployed:
• File server consolidation
As businesses continue to expand their information technology (IT) infrastructures, they must find
ways to manage larger environments without a c orresponding increase in IT staff. Consolidating
many servers into a single file server decreases the number of points of administration, and
increases the availability and flexibility of storage space.
• Multiprotocol environments
Some bus inesses require several types of computing systems to accomplish various tasks. The
multiprotocol suppor t of the file server allows it to suppor t many types of client computers
concurrently.
• Protocol and plat form transitions
When a transition between platforms is being planned, the ability of the file server to support most
file sharing protocols allows companies to continue to invest in file storage space without concerns
about obsolescence. For example, an administrator planning a future transition from Windows
to Linux can deploy the file server with confidence that it can support both CIFS and NFS
simultaneously, assuring not only a smooth transition, but also a firm protection of their investment.
• Remo te office deployment
Frequently, branch offices and other remote locations lack dedicated IT staff members. An
administrator located in a central location can use remote administration methods of the storage
server or Microsoft Terminal Services to configure and administer all aspects of the storage server.
Prin
tserver
A print serving solution provides network printing, print driver distribution, and print management. The
print server may be used in a secondary role for multiprotocol file sharing services with limited scalability
of storage. The print server comes preinstalled with the Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003 R2
operating system and easy to use print specific managem ent tools.
Thefollowingarepossibleusescenariosforaprintserver:
• Quick and easy way to add print capacity without affecting the general purpose server.
• Wi
th a host network printer management application (for example, Microsoft PMC or HP Web
JetAdmin)
• Net work printing services for a variety of client operating systems:
•Cl
ient computers running Windows 2000 and Windows XP
• Client computers running Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT
• Printing from UNIX-based, NetWare, and Macintosh clients
Managing a large number of printers or printing a large number of documents requires more memory,
disk space, and potentially a more powerful processor on the print server. While choosing the server
hardware, ensure that the server has additional disk space for print spooling.
The print service feature on Windows Storage Server 2003 supports network printers only and it is not
intended for use with directly attached printers. The print service on Windows Server 2003 Standard
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The HP storage server solution