Planning to have ‘Database Server’ for managing our resource database.

We are using thirteen systems in our office and twelve systems in our laboratory. I think all systems are using the OS ‘Windows XP Service Pack 2’. Separate LAN connections are there in both places. I am planning to have ‘Database Server’ for managing our resource database. I have no idea about where will be suit to fix the Server.
Also need to know about the required specifications of a server for us. Can anybody give ideas to solve this problem?
