I'm admining a 40 user environment and they need a new server. I wanted to bounce some ideas around to help me figure out the most cost-appropriate solution. These guys have heavy disk space and communications needs, but don't have deep pockets.

They are using a very old WinNT Server with a BDC on the side. All they seem to be using the server for is authentication and security (a simple disk mapping batch file upon login). Seperate Linux based mail server.

The office uses Windows on the desktop, and has 150 GB of files available - scattered around several devices (windows partitions and snap servers). I want to be able to consolidate the devices so I can put all their projects on one virtual drive.

Current points of user pain include a backup device close to capacity for weekend full backups, and lack of email capabilities like shared folders, shared calendaring, etc.

I know I can go with MS SBS and Exchange with scads of disk space and a new tape device, but I kinda hate problematic PST files, the bloated Outlook product and associated headaches and wouldn't mind going with a web-based solution like Zimbra - allowing lots of features and access from anywhere.

That leads me to wonder why bother with Windows server at all - is it time to move to SUSE with ZenWorks or Red Hat with SAMBA for the server? I'd kinda like to be able to manage user environments better and add new machines quickly, so maybe Novell's SUSE and Zenworks.

I'll be doing half of my administration remotely.

Any advice for me?