@Tomastoria,
A few things.
First, I have never recommended, nor do I support, Windows Server Essentials. While I understand the low-cost temptation of it and the nice little wizards it comes with, Server Essentials is a prime example of something MS should have never offered. Most of the people who call me about Server Essentials is to get them off of it because they already outgrew Server Essentials or they are having the same problem you may have: everything is installed on the thing and it isn't working well.
Secondly, running SQL Server on a domain controller has been against best practices for a long, long time.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/571019/domain-controller-sql-server-2019.htmlhttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sq...llation?view=sql-server-ver16#Install_DCObviously, I do not support running SQL Server, even Express, on a domain controller.
The last thing to discuss is cost. I get it. IT can be expensive. Unlike many of my fellow IT colleagues, I understand that doctors aren't great big piggy banks ready to be cracked open to let the cash just flow. I do my level best to keep costs down for my installations. I charge a reasonable hourly rate ($85/hour) and I keep my hands on excellent quality used servers that came out of a datacenter that can be purchased at pennies on the dollar for what they were brand new. And I personally put a 2 year replacement warranty on any used server I sell. My typical set up is a single physical server with two virtual machines: a domain controller and an Applications server for everything else. Last, but not least, the skillset my clients get from me is the same skillset you'll find at companies like Corning Fiber Optic and General Electric Global Nuclear Fuels - companies I've worked at and to this day still utilize solutions I developed years ago. Between formal training at such large companies and a degree in computer science, I feel I have a broader and more in-depth range of skill to offer. Let me know if I can help.
JamesNT
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