First, it is important to understand that for servers, you must use enterprise type antivirus such as Trend Micro or NOD32 or the server-edition of AVG. I would run as far away as possible from Norton or McAfee.
Microsoft finally has its own product:
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/da...virus-engine-to-servers/3853?tag=nl.e071You would have a central server AV solution such as ESET NOD32 which controls your clients and then the server solution.
I and Susan Bradley (the guru of SBS) do not use AV protection on our servers.
I can understand being intimidated by Server 2008, which is why I would go with Small Business Server, but if you have not installed a server OS by yourself, I wouldn't suggest it.
I wasn't necessarily recommending it, I was just answering your question about WIN7 cost vs Server 2008 cost.
There is always Micrsoft Foundation Server, which is good to go and you can get a Dell or HP server already loaded with SBS 2008.
Most server software that is Windows based comes with its own firewall. You are very correct and it is why I don't use AV on the server is that you not doing anything on it that could get you a virus.
People on here are going to hassle me, because I am pushing a non server. But, I don't see anything wrong with going with WIN7 without RAID. There is nothing that says you must have RAID. But, as you say, you could use a RAID1.
Have you looked into a WIN7 solution with CDP (Continuous Data Protection) by a company such as Sonic Wall, which is compatible with WIN7?
Finally, and I don't think people consider use, but there is no reason why, if you use a server, that you must set it up as a domain and Active Directory. Sure, that is like buying a Porsche and driving 45 mph, but you can just set up the server and use it as your "main computer" as a peer-to-peer workgroup.
Linking up to AC and XP or WIN7 is the same with a server as it is with a "main computer" if not easier. Setting up the server would be more difficult.
