Vacation Blog: Windows NT Server Build: Part 1
[Introduction](https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/s/q1rsmGqlUF)
Okay, so I have the hardware chosen and picked out. I've settled on:
\- Pentium Pro 200
\- Socket 8 Intel 440FX Motherboard
\- 128MB EDO RAM (4 x 32MB)
\- 40GB E-IDE HDD
\- ATI 3D Rage II (2MB)
\- 3Com 3C905B 10/100 NIC
\- External US Robotics V.32 Modem
\- Generic IDE DVD Optical Drive
\- GoTek Floppy Emulator
\- Generic 2U Rack-Mount Case
As discussed in the first post, a SCSI RAID would be more period correct, and I do have two PCI SCSI cards which would work for this (Adaptec 19160, and Adaptec 2100S... a bit anachronistic, but would have been ok), but my problem was SCSI HDDs. I looked and could only find two Maxtor 73GB SCSI HDDs, and want to save those for a Windows 2000 Server build I have planned for the future. So, IDE drive it is. Unfortunately, 40GB is the smallest I have, it seems, without getting into a SD-to-IDE or something like that. I can't remember if the 440FX board has a 32GB limit, or 8GB limit. Either way, anything larger would be wasted.
I have a US Robotics Courier V.Everything, and a US Robotics Courier V.32bis. Similarly, I want to save the v.everything for the future Windows 2000 Server build, and the V.32bis should be a little more period correct anyway. (I have a selection of external USR Sportster, internal ISA and internal PCI 'WinModems' for clients).
I debated about a real 1.44MB 3.5" floppy, or GoTek floppy emulator, and settled on the GoTek. Whatever. It's easier. I don't have very many of them, but should only really need it for initial OS install and driver installation, and if I want to rob it later, that's fine.
The DVD drive.. I mean, they technically existed in 1997 (this one manufactured in 2001), but no server would have ever come with one at the time. But it's already in the 2U case and I'm lazy.
## Software
Now, the software discussion.
Obviously already settled on Windows NT 4 Server. With one processor (and one server), there is no reason to use Enterprise Edition.
The debate for me is: Microsoft Exchange (5.5), or Lotus Notes/Domino (4?). I have never set up either (at least, of this era) and can't decide which I would rather do. Both have a twinge of nostalgia for me, as my first employer used Exchange (albeit 2000), and my father's employer in the 90s used Lotus Notes.
I intend to try out Services for Macintosh, to maybe hopefully share files with the MacOS 7/8/9 machines I have.
What other essential (Windows NT) server software from mid-to-late 90s should I be considering?