Jason just did a post about various things he's doing, including a mention of a conversation he had with me a few days ago. When he mentioned some technologies he's using or investigating, well, I could tell that Granger and Perimeter had even more in common. For whatever it may be worth to anybody, here's a quick list of some of the technologies we use at Perimeter Church
HP Switches
A pair of 5372XLs, trunked together, make up our core. Each of our servers gets a gigabit port, then we have gigabit connections to quite a few 2650 switches that serve the various nodes throughout the building.
Linksys WAPS and Routers
We've implemented two wireless networks around our campus -- one for public access (wide open from the user perspective), and one for staff only access -- secured with a WEP key that the users don't know. Aside: router/WAPs are cheaper that pure WAPs. There is some firmware that will make a Router/WAP behave a bit more like a pure WAP, so you can save money AND get the slightly improved functionality.
Dell Servers now, IBM in the future
We've been a Dell shop for quite a few years. However, our next server will almost for sure be IBM. IBM has been offering some programs that apply to churches that provide great equipment at some impressive prices.
IBM SAN and Fiber Switches
Just a few months ago, we put in a dual-channel SAN, including dual fiber switches. This was the enabler for virtualizing our servers.
VMWare ESX Server
For the past 3 months, we've had 3 ESX servers up and running. We're still adjusting what logical servers are on real hardware and what's on virtual hardware, but basically we like ESX. The ability to create a new server, in minutes, for testing, development, or whatever, is incredible.
Astaro Firewall (replacing SonicWall, which we'd used for the past 6+ years)
Barracuda Networks Spam Firewall
Two Google Mini appliances
One for internal, one for our public web site.
Windows Server 2003
We're just about a pure Windows shop. Server 2003 is the core.
Exchange 2003
SQL 2000
2005 will probably happen within the next few months.
Citrix Presentation Server
Update 12/22/2005: We are pretty happy with Citrix, but the price is on the high side. We're starting to look at a possible alternative, Provision Networks.
Dell and IBM desktops and Notebooks
Dell is our past, IBM (Lenovo) is our future
Neoware WinTerms, plus an assortment of others.
In the future, we'll probably choose CTI Winterms -- easier to manage, and less expensive.
APC upses on just about everything
Computer Associates E-Trust anti-virus
Webroot Spy-Sweeper
Desktop Authority from ScriptLogic Corporation
Microsoft Office 2003 Pro
EMS Pro from Dean Evans and Associates
Avaya Definity Phone system + Avaya Audix voice mail
Including about 40 Avaya IP phones that run across our standard network, without QOS!
ListServ Maestro, hosted by Higher Ground Technologies
Miscellaneous
We're using Exchange Public folders as our helpdesk and project management solution, but considering Track-IT or similar. I can hardly wait to hear more of Jason's results.
That's a quick and incomplete list. I'm sure I'll be updating this post over the next few days.
