This is a pretty open question. My opinion would be to use virtualization for the server so that you can limit, or even eliminate the need for any other servers. Virtualization technologies (Hyper-V, VMware, Xenserver) allow you to house your email, DNS, DHCP, or other servers all on the same platform.
For the few email account you need, your better off having hosted exchange accounts, have a few clients at 123together.com, very reliable. If you have a decent glitch on your own setup , once a year, the maintenance will cost you more then the host exchange accounts. Since you have no knowledge of email systems, I will guarantee it will cost you far more then host accounts. I only have a couple accounts with their own mail system ( many users); done properly it is an expensive endeavor as it should have a spam filter, separate/different AV then the network AV, licenses
Skip you own email system, skip virtualization as you will not need it for a few users. I suggest you get someone in to initially set up the server; it is very detailed and does require knowledge beyond a few paragraphs which could be given on a forum. If you want to proceed by yourself I suggest you get book similar to those written by Mark Minasi, which generally are hundreds of pages(1500 pages) , read them multiple times, create a lab, and understand 97% of them before proceeding...should take 3-4 months/12 hour days (at minimum).
I'm with PC on this one. The fact that you are here asking means you should not be hosting your own email. Exchange requires certain infrastructure in order to work within an organization, so depending on what you already have in place, it might be extensive just to get ready. Exchange requires expertise to setup and maintain, and if you don't have someone in your organization with that expertise, it will cost you big bucks to have someone manage it from the outside. You are MUCH better off using a hosted email service.
I have the same experience with Godaddy! First I tried to choose the best web hostingfor my online store. I looked forreviews and comparison of Bluehost, Godaddy, Hostgatorand other big names in web hosting industry and finally chose Hoatgator because of theircheap monthly web hosting packages. I had no problem with them. But after 2 yrs I decided to transfer my site to Godaddy for their email hosting services for online businesses. I purchased their hosted exchange accounts. Unfortunately sometimes their servers are downtime and I'm going to change my service!
DELL-Chris H
Moderator
•
9.7K Posts
0
June 24th, 2014 06:00
CarterIT,
This is a pretty open question. My opinion would be to use virtualization for the server so that you can limit, or even eliminate the need for any other servers. Virtualization technologies (Hyper-V, VMware, Xenserver) allow you to house your email, DNS, DHCP, or other servers all on the same platform.
You can learn more about Virtualization here - http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/555/virtual-data-center-implement
Let me know if this helps.
pcmeiners
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
June 24th, 2014 08:00
For the few email account you need, your better off having hosted exchange accounts, have a few clients at 123together.com, very reliable. If you have a decent glitch on your own setup , once a year, the maintenance will cost you more then the host exchange accounts. Since you have no knowledge of email systems, I will guarantee it will cost you far more then host accounts. I only have a couple accounts with their own mail system ( many users); done properly it is an expensive endeavor as it should have a spam filter, separate/different AV then the network AV, licenses
Skip you own email system, skip virtualization as you will not need it for a few users. I suggest you get someone in to initially set up the server; it is very detailed and does require knowledge beyond a few paragraphs which could be given on a forum. If you want to proceed by yourself I suggest you get book similar to those written by Mark Minasi, which generally are hundreds of pages(1500 pages) , read them multiple times, create a lab, and understand 97% of them before proceeding...should take 3-4 months/12 hour days (at minimum).
CarterIT
1 Rookie
•
60 Posts
0
June 24th, 2014 08:00
This gets me started in the right direction. Thanks.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
June 24th, 2014 11:00
I'm with PC on this one. The fact that you are here asking means you should not be hosting your own email. Exchange requires certain infrastructure in order to work within an organization, so depending on what you already have in place, it might be extensive just to get ready. Exchange requires expertise to setup and maintain, and if you don't have someone in your organization with that expertise, it will cost you big bucks to have someone manage it from the outside. You are MUCH better off using a hosted email service.
lled3
1 Message
0
October 5th, 2014 16:00
I have the same experience with Godaddy! First I tried to choose the best web hosting for my online store. I looked for reviews and comparison of Bluehost, Godaddy, Hostgator and other big names in web hosting industry and finally chose Hoatgator because of their cheap monthly web hosting packages. I had no problem with them. But after 2 yrs I decided to transfer my site to Godaddy for their email hosting services for online businesses. I purchased their hosted exchange accounts. Unfortunately sometimes their servers are downtime and I'm going to change my service!