Preparing Your Network Infrastructure for Windows 2000

Preparing Your Member Servers

A member server is any server that functions as a member of a Windows NT or Windows 2000 domain, but whose role is not that of domain controller. Member server roles include:

File, application, and print servers
Web, proxy, and remote access servers
Database servers
Certificate servers

Installing Windows 2000 on your member servers permits improved functionality in each of the member server roles.

Remember, when assessing the hardware compatibility of a computer, to consider its role after the upgrade. There are no rigid specifications for estimating the hardware components required for a particular function. You will need to test the computer in its role (preferably in your test lab rather than in your production network) to determine whether it is adequate in terms of CPU speed, RAM, and hard disk space, and whether it performs adequately while running the drivers, applications, and protocols of its intended role.

For more information about preparing your member servers, see "Upgrading and Installing Member Servers" and "Automating Server Installation and Upgrade" in this book.