Server advice... please

[solway]

Hi guys,

Would like some server advice for a small business that i work for.

some requirements that i require would be:

SQL database for business apps
Central storage
Emails (shared calendar and contacts)

I am currently using gmail for my domain to host the emails, just a few annoyances like no contact sync between emails addresses and no central storage.
Everything else it using a peer to peer network to one host machine

having a look around the internet at the cost of servers, it seems a mid range is just similar to a desktop pc. and around the same cost.

However its the software that is very expensive.
Been looking at small business server 2008, as it includes exchange server as well. although can sql be run on one server?

Question is, are there any opensource alternatives? that have sql/exchange/storage capabilities?

 

[solway]

advice on security to all the network as cheap as possible would be useful
currently kasperky on all the desktops

 

[solway]

was thinking of a mirror harddrive solution for backups, with maybe a backup again onto a desktop (currently doing at the moment)

server to sit between router and internal 1gig network

do i require a battery backup? to provided safe shutdown if power fails?

 

[solway]

business is around 40Gb in size at the moment

maybe 2 mirror harddrives for storage, 1 for OS and 1 for backup internally?

with mirroring i get double speed? and if one failed i just have to replace one and it'll rebuild?

 

[solway]

can't you run sql on the same box for sbs2008?

business is only 5 users - if i need a temporary guest computer to connect do i require a extra cal? (say a temporary client wants to have access to server)
Also do printers take up cals?

internet is only business adsl - can't odds that


NO COMPETITORS!

 

[solway]

can you remove CAL from computers?

i.e. for example, replacing a pc or a different guest wants to access the network