I was just hired on a new project as the Network/Systems Administrator. This network will consist of only 50 users. I have already selected and purchased the firewall, router, switches, and desktops. I am now down to the servers.
I am trying to figure out the best way to roll out the following roles and services: AD DS, DNS, File server, Web/Proxy server, Hyper V for testing, Print, Fax, and Document services, and MS-Exchange. All devices will be static so no DHCP.
I would like to split all roles up between two servers while configuring them to back up one another for failover, if possible. Not sure if this is necessary as hard drives are more likely to go down than the whole servers, and I am using RAID 10 on both servers. I am working with a budget so I am considering either two Dell R420's or R620's.
Would it be more cost/performance efficient to implement these roles/services over two servers or should these roles be implemented on a cluster of dedicated servers?
Also, from my understanding I will have to purchase a CAL for each user/device with both Server 2008 R2 and Server 2012. Is there a considerable difference in price between the two?
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.