EdTech Avenue

We installed a new Windows 2003 Server this week to update and streamline our network.  We had some issues with the initial install (I should say Rich had some issues with it, I didn’t really touch that part), and the software had to be reinstalled after we had moved all the data over… so the 49 hours spent on the project overall probably could have been 45, but oh well.  I am excited to have more control over the network in terms of administering rather than having much of the security on the workstations.

We decided to stick with hosting our own email for now.  My biggest complaint has been the spam administration (Symantec Mail Security is not worth the media it is printed on), but we didn’t want to give up the functionality of shared calendars and administration.  We updated Microsoft Exchange Server, migrated the mailboxes, and are using an outside service for security and spam.  MX Logic now hosts our MX records and provides spam and virus filtering, sending only the “safe” items to our server.  That transition went fairly smoothly.

As I mentioned, the whole project took 49 hours.  25 hours (times 2 people) was for the install of the main server, moving data, Exchange migration, and setup.  Another 12 (times 2 people) was setting up workstations at one campus, and 10 more setting up the other campus myself today.  All in all, it could have been much worse, but I’m glad it’s over.  I am extremely grateful for those who helped: Rich Whitney, a parent who is a network consultant (I couldn’t have done any of this without his help), my husband who gave up his Saturday, and a couple of hours by my nephew too.  Without all of their help I would no doubt still be at work now instead of having finished a little while ago and ready for a good night’s sleep!  There is still more work to do, but the essentials are done and ready for everyone to return from spring break!